FTLS vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTLS (First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTLS is a Long-Short fund actively managed by First Trust, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. FTLS is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTLS returned 9.83%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FTLS charges 1.60%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

FTLS vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTLS achieves a 5.34% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, FTLS has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 9.83%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

FTLS

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 2.01%
• YTD: 5.34%
• 6M: 5.22%
• 1Y: 14.27%
• 3Y*: 14.31%
• 5Y*: 10.27%
• 10Y*: 9.83%

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

FTLS vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF	5.34%	9.09%	18.80%	16.94%	-5.56%	19.65%	2.56%	16.16%	-4.81%	14.41%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between FTLS and SPY 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	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 11, 2014	0.81

The correlation between FTLS and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

FTLS vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTLS	SPY
Technology	26.9%	35.9%
Financial Services	19.9%	11.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.5%	10.3%
Healthcare	8.4%	8.4%
Industrials	7.6%	7.8%
Energy	7.3%	3.6%
Consumer Defensive	6.5%	4.8%
Communication Services	6.1%	11.3%
Basic Materials	5.1%	1.8%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%
Utilities	0.9%	2.4%

Return for Risk

FTLS vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTLS

FTLS Risk / Return Rank: 58
FTLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
FTLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
FTLS Omega Ratio Rank: 50
FTLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
FTLS Martin Ratio Rank: 64

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.75	2.38	-0.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.56	3.24	-0.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.43	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.79	3.16	+0.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.78	14.72	-2.94
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. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTLS Sharpe Ratio is 1.75, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTLS and SPY, 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	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.75	2.38	-0.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98	0.82	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87	0.87	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	0.59	+0.22

Drawdowns

FTLS vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTLS drawdown since its inception was -20.54%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTLS and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTLS	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.54%	-55.19%	+34.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.79%	-8.88%	+5.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.69%	-18.76%	+7.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.69%	-24.50%	+12.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.54%	-33.72%	+13.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.03%	-0.70%	+0.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.69%	-9.05%	+6.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.21%	1.91%	-0.70%

Volatility

FTLS vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) is 1.81%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 2.84%. This indicates that FTLS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTLS	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.81%	2.84%	-1.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.65%	8.90%	-3.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.18%	11.83%	-3.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.55%	17.05%	-6.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.30%	17.94%	-6.64%

FTLS vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTLS has a 1.60% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTLS vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

FTLS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%, less than SPY's 0.98% 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%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTLS and SPY in my portfolio?

FTLS and SPY 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 SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (2.84%) compared to FTLS (1.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTLS dropped -20.54% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, FTLS or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.49% vs 9.83% for FTLS. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, FTLS has been the lower-risk option at 1.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTLS or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.49% return vs 9.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTLS or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 1.60% for FTLS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTLS or SPY?

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.90% for FTLS.

What is the main difference between FTLS and SPY?

FTLS is categorized as Long-Short, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 1.60% for FTLS and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.75), 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.