FTLS vs. NFTY
FTLS (First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF) and NFTY (First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTLS is a Long-Short fund actively managed by First Trust, while NFTY is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the NIFTY 50 Equal Weight Index. FTLS is actively managed, while NFTY is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTLS returned 9.94%/yr vs 8.36%/yr for NFTY. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FTLS charges 1.60%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for NFTY.
Performance
FTLS vs. NFTY - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTLS achieves a 4.70% return, which is significantly higher than NFTY's -7.30% return. Over the past 10 years, FTLS has outperformed NFTY with an annualized return of 9.94%, while NFTY has yielded a comparatively lower 8.36% annualized return.
FTLS
- 1D
- -0.80%
- 1M
- -0.52%
- YTD
- 4.70%
- 6M
- 4.14%
- 1Y
- 15.03%
- 3Y*
- 14.05%
- 5Y*
- 10.03%
- 10Y*
- 9.94%
NFTY
- 1D
- -1.31%
- 1M
- 1.01%
- YTD
- -7.30%
- 6M
- -7.62%
- 1Y
- -6.58%
- 3Y*
- 6.30%
- 5Y*
- 5.79%
- 10Y*
- 8.36%
FTLS vs. NFTY - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF | 4.70% | 9.09% | 18.80% | 16.94% | -5.56% | 19.65% | 2.56% | 16.16% | -4.81% | 14.41% |
NFTY First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF | -7.30% | 5.47% | 5.18% | 24.00% | -3.46% | 26.83% | 10.04% | 0.58% | -1.51% | 21.78% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTLS and NFTY is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.30 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2014 | 0.34 |
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Return for Risk
FTLS vs. NFTY — Risk / Return Rank
FTLS
NFTY
FTLS vs. NFTY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) and First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF (NFTY). 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 | NFTY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.25 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +3.17 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 0.94 | +0.39 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.99 | -0.41 | +4.40 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.35 | -1.01 | +13.35 |
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Drawdowns
FTLS vs. NFTY - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTLS drawdown since its inception was -20.54%, smaller than the maximum NFTY drawdown of -47.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTLS and NFTY.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FTLS | NFTY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.54% | -47.67% | +27.13% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.79% | -16.14% | +12.35% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.69% | -21.55% | +9.86% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -11.69% | -21.55% | +9.86% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -20.54% | -47.67% | +27.13% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.82% | -15.26% | +14.44% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.69% | -9.60% | +6.91% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.22% | 6.56% | -5.34% |
Volatility
FTLS vs. NFTY - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) is 2.55%, while First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF (NFTY) has a volatility of 4.23%. This indicates that FTLS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NFTY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FTLS | NFTY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.55% | 4.23% | -1.68% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.95% | 12.75% | -6.80% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.40% | 14.75% | -6.35% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 10.58% | 17.41% | -6.83% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.27% | 20.72% | -9.45% |
FTLS vs. NFTY - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTLS has a 1.60% expense ratio, which is higher than NFTY's 0.80% expense ratio.
Dividends
FTLS vs. NFTY - Dividend Comparison
FTLS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%, less than NFTY's 1.91% 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% |
NFTY First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF | 1.91% | 1.24% | 1.61% | 0.13% | 5.89% | 1.53% | 0.61% | 0.97% | 0.00% | 4.10% | 3.28% | 4.39% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FTLS and NFTY have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NFTY has higher volatility (4.23%) compared to FTLS (2.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTLS dropped -20.54% vs NFTY's -47.67%.
On 10-year performance, FTLS leads with 9.94% vs 8.36% for NFTY. On fees, NFTY is cheaper at 0.80% per year. On volatility, FTLS has been the lower-risk option at 2.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, FTLS has performed better with a 9.94% return vs 8.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
NFTY is cheaper with a 0.80% expense ratio, compared with 1.60% for FTLS.
NFTY has the higher dividend yield at 1.91%, compared with 0.90% for FTLS.
FTLS is categorized as Long-Short, while NFTY is Asia Pacific Equities. Their fees differ too: 1.60% for FTLS and 0.80% for NFTY.
FTLS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs -0.45), 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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