FTLS vs. HTUS
FTLS (First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF) and HTUS (Hull Tactical US ETF) are both Long-Short funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTLS returned 10.02%/yr vs 12.34%/yr for HTUS. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FTLS charges 1.60%/yr vs 0.97%/yr for HTUS.
Performance
FTLS vs. HTUS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTLS achieves a 5.55% return, which is significantly lower than HTUS's 10.28% return. Over the past 10 years, FTLS has underperformed HTUS with an annualized return of 10.02%, while HTUS has yielded a comparatively higher 12.34% annualized return.
FTLS
- 1D
- 0.48%
- 1M
- 0.28%
- YTD
- 5.55%
- 6M
- 5.16%
- 1Y
- 16.53%
- 3Y*
- 14.35%
- 5Y*
- 10.26%
- 10Y*
- 10.02%
HTUS
- 1D
- -0.50%
- 1M
- 0.21%
- YTD
- 10.28%
- 6M
- 10.25%
- 1Y
- 27.09%
- 3Y*
- 20.84%
- 5Y*
- 15.01%
- 10Y*
- 12.34%
FTLS vs. HTUS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF | 5.55% | 9.09% | 18.80% | 16.94% | -5.56% | 19.65% | 2.56% | 16.16% | -4.81% | 14.41% |
HTUS Hull Tactical US ETF | 10.28% | 16.57% | 25.02% | 30.11% | -13.00% | 24.29% | 13.21% | 20.27% | -10.04% | 14.19% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTLS and HTUS is 0.72, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.72 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.72 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.66 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.65 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2015 | 0.62 |
The correlation between FTLS and HTUS shifts across timeframes, from 0.62 (all time) to 0.72 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FTLS vs. HTUS — Risk / Return Rank
FTLS
HTUS
FTLS vs. HTUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) and Hull Tactical US ETF (HTUS). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| FTLS | HTUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.29 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.44 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.36 | 1.44 | -0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.39 | 3.13 | +1.25 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.59 | 15.60 | -2.00 |
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Drawdowns
FTLS vs. HTUS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTLS drawdown since its inception was -20.54%, smaller than the maximum HTUS drawdown of -47.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTLS and HTUS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FTLS | HTUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.54% | -47.50% | +26.96% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.79% | -8.68% | +4.89% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.69% | -24.41% | +12.72% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -11.69% | -24.41% | +12.72% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -20.54% | -47.50% | +26.96% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.02% | -1.49% | +1.47% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.69% | -4.05% | +1.36% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.22% | 1.74% | -0.52% |
Volatility
FTLS vs. HTUS - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) is 2.41%, while Hull Tactical US ETF (HTUS) has a volatility of 3.89%. This indicates that FTLS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HTUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FTLS | HTUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.41% | 3.89% | -1.48% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.91% | 9.95% | -4.04% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.37% | 12.00% | -3.63% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 10.57% | 19.09% | -8.52% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.30% | 21.49% | -10.19% |
FTLS vs. HTUS - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTLS has a 1.60% expense ratio, which is higher than HTUS's 0.97% expense ratio.
Dividends
FTLS vs. HTUS - Dividend Comparison
FTLS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%, less than HTUS's 10.78% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF | 0.90% | 1.07% | 1.50% | 1.49% | 0.81% | 0.01% | 0.44% | 0.83% | 0.87% | 0.43% | 1.04% | 0.49% |
HTUS Hull Tactical US ETF | 10.78% | 11.89% | 17.80% | 1.18% | 5.63% | 7.20% | 3.77% | 0.92% | 8.69% | 8.29% | 3.02% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FTLS and HTUS have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
HTUS has higher volatility (3.89%) compared to FTLS (2.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTLS dropped -20.54% vs HTUS's -47.50%.
On 10-year performance, HTUS leads with 12.34% vs 10.02% for FTLS. On fees, HTUS is cheaper at 0.97% per year. On volatility, FTLS has been the lower-risk option at 2.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, HTUS has performed better with a 12.34% return vs 10.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
HTUS is cheaper with a 0.97% expense ratio, compared with 1.60% for FTLS.
HTUS has the higher dividend yield at 10.78%, compared with 0.90% for FTLS.
They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Exchange Traded Concepts. Their fees differ too: 1.60% for FTLS and 0.97% for HTUS.
HTUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 1.99), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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