FTLS vs. JDIEX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FTLS (First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF) and JDIEX (Easterly Hedged Equity Fund) are both funds - FTLS is a Long-Short fund actively managed by First Trust, while JDIEX is a Options Trading fund managed by James Alpha Advisors. Over the past 10 years, FTLS returned 9.81%/yr vs 9.00%/yr for JDIEX. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FTLS charges 1.60%/yr vs 1.26%/yr for JDIEX.

Performance

FTLS vs. JDIEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) and Easterly Hedged Equity Fund (JDIEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTLS achieves a 5.21% return, which is significantly lower than JDIEX's 8.61% return. Over the past 10 years, FTLS has outperformed JDIEX with an annualized return of 9.81%, while JDIEX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.00% annualized return.

FTLS

• 1D: 0.67%
• 1M: 1.31%
• YTD: 5.21%
• 6M: 4.51%
• 1Y: 14.78%
• 3Y*: 14.27%
• 5Y*: 10.33%
• 10Y*: 9.81%

JDIEX

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 2.78%
• YTD: 8.61%
• 6M: 8.76%
• 1Y: 18.93%
• 3Y*: 15.23%
• 5Y*: 10.85%
• 10Y*: 9.00%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FTLS vs. JDIEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF	5.21%	9.09%	18.80%	16.94%	-5.56%	19.65%	2.56%	16.16%	-4.81%	14.41%
JDIEX Easterly Hedged Equity Fund	8.61%	11.87%	17.36%	14.58%	-2.74%	11.25%	7.57%	12.11%	1.56%	6.68%

Correlation

The correlation between FTLS and JDIEX is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.71

The correlation between FTLS and JDIEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FTLS vs. JDIEX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

FTLS

FTLS Risk / Return Rank: 60
FTLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
FTLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
FTLS Omega Ratio Rank: 52
FTLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
FTLS Martin Ratio Rank: 67

JDIEX

JDIEX Risk / Return Rank: 92
JDIEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
JDIEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
JDIEX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
JDIEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
JDIEX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

FTLS vs. JDIEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) and Easterly Hedged Equity Fund (JDIEX). 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.

	FTLS	JDIEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	3.06	-1.24
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.64	4.47	-1.84
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.61	-0.28
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.96	5.49	-1.53
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.34	21.74	-9.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTLS vs. JDIEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTLS Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is lower than the JDIEX Sharpe Ratio of 3.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTLS and JDIEX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FTLS	JDIEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.81	3.06	-1.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98	0.97	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87	0.84	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	0.82	-0.01

Drawdowns

FTLS vs. JDIEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTLS drawdown since its inception was -20.54%, which is greater than JDIEX's maximum drawdown of -17.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTLS and JDIEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTLS	JDIEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.54%	-17.63%	-2.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.79%	-3.49%	-0.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.69%	-10.66%	-1.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.69%	-17.57%	+5.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.54%	-17.63%	-2.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.15%	0.00%	-0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.69%	-2.53%	-0.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.21%	0.88%	+0.33%

Volatility

FTLS vs. JDIEX - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) has a higher volatility of 1.93% compared to Easterly Hedged Equity Fund (JDIEX) at 1.29%. This indicates that FTLS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than JDIEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTLS	JDIEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.93%	1.29%	+0.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.65%	4.72%	+0.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.19%	6.32%	+1.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.55%	11.29%	-0.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.30%	10.72%	+0.58%

FTLS vs. JDIEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTLS has a 1.60% expense ratio, which is higher than JDIEX's 1.26% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTLS vs. JDIEX - Dividend Comparison

FTLS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%, while JDIEX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

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%
JDIEX Easterly Hedged Equity Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.09%	0.23%	2.45%	10.68%	8.01%	1.99%	10.75%	2.57%	0.11%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTLS and JDIEX in my portfolio?

FTLS and JDIEX have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTLS or JDIEX?

FTLS has higher volatility (1.93%) compared to JDIEX (1.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTLS dropped -20.54% vs JDIEX's -17.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JDIEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.06 vs 1.81), 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.