FTSL vs. HYEM
FTSL (First Trust Senior Loan Fund) and HYEM (VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds. FTSL is actively managed, while HYEM is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTSL returned 4.45%/yr vs 4.64%/yr for HYEM. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FTSL charges 0.86%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for HYEM.
Performance
FTSL vs. HYEM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTSL achieves a 0.65% return, which is significantly lower than HYEM's 4.28% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FTSL having a 4.45% annualized return and HYEM not far ahead at 4.64%.
FTSL
- 1D
- -0.01%
- 1M
- 0.20%
- YTD
- 0.65%
- 6M
- 0.65%
- 1Y
- 4.20%
- 3Y*
- 7.14%
- 5Y*
- 4.99%
- 10Y*
- 4.45%
HYEM
- 1D
- -0.15%
- 1M
- 1.26%
- YTD
- 4.28%
- 6M
- 4.29%
- 1Y
- 9.50%
- 3Y*
- 10.35%
- 5Y*
- 2.95%
- 10Y*
- 4.64%
FTSL vs. HYEM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTSL First Trust Senior Loan Fund | 0.65% | 5.98% | 8.27% | 11.58% | -2.50% | 3.94% | 2.99% | 10.11% | -1.30% | 2.59% |
HYEM VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF | 4.28% | 9.24% | 12.14% | 8.35% | -13.39% | -1.31% | 6.87% | 12.85% | -3.38% | 7.94% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTSL and HYEM is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.36 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.39 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.30 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 2, 2013 | 0.27 |
The correlation between FTSL and HYEM shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (all time) to 0.39 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FTSL vs. HYEM — Risk / Return Rank
FTSL
HYEM
FTSL vs. HYEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL) and VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM). 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.
| FTSL | HYEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.18 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.05 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.45 | 1.42 | +0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.81 | 3.50 | -1.69 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.72 | 14.23 | -7.51 |
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Drawdowns
FTSL vs. HYEM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTSL drawdown since its inception was -22.67%, smaller than the maximum HYEM drawdown of -30.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTSL and HYEM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FTSL | HYEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -22.67% | -30.96% | +8.29% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.33% | -2.73% | +0.40% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -2.66% | -5.23% | +2.57% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -6.96% | -26.29% | +19.33% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -22.67% | -30.96% | +8.29% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.03% | -0.20% | +0.17% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.76% | -4.38% | +3.62% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.63% | 0.67% | -0.04% |
Volatility
FTSL vs. HYEM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL) is 0.33%, while VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM) has a volatility of 1.14%. This indicates that FTSL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HYEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FTSL | HYEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.33% | 1.14% | -0.81% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.96% | 3.25% | -1.29% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.12% | 4.40% | -2.28% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.35% | 7.51% | -4.16% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.19% | 9.27% | -4.08% |
FTSL vs. HYEM - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTSL has a 0.86% expense ratio, which is higher than HYEM's 0.40% expense ratio.
Dividends
FTSL vs. HYEM - Dividend Comparison
FTSL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.46%, which matches HYEM's 6.50% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTSL First Trust Senior Loan Fund | 6.46% | 6.59% | 7.56% | 7.59% | 4.77% | 3.17% | 3.48% | 4.44% | 4.29% | 3.64% | 3.70% | 3.95% |
HYEM VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF | 6.50% | 6.67% | 6.34% | 6.27% | 6.47% | 5.33% | 5.56% | 6.14% | 5.71% | 5.86% | 6.25% | 7.64% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FTSL and HYEM have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
HYEM has higher volatility (1.14%) compared to FTSL (0.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTSL dropped -22.67% vs HYEM's -30.96%.
On 10-year performance, HYEM leads with 4.64% vs 4.45% for FTSL. On fees, HYEM is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, FTSL has been the lower-risk option at 0.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, HYEM has performed better with a 4.64% return vs 4.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
HYEM is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for FTSL.
HYEM has the higher dividend yield at 6.50%, compared with 6.46% for FTSL.
They also come from different issuers: First Trust and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.86% for FTSL and 0.40% for HYEM.
HYEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 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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