FTSL vs. NHYB
FTSL (First Trust Senior Loan Fund) and NHYB (Nuveen High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds. FTSL is actively managed, while NHYB is passively managed. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FTSL charges 0.86%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for NHYB.
Performance
FTSL vs. NHYB - 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 NHYB's 1.91% return.
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%
NHYB
- 1D
- -0.04%
- 1M
- 0.52%
- YTD
- 1.91%
- 6M
- 1.99%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FTSL vs. NHYB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
FTSL First Trust Senior Loan Fund | 0.65% | 1.61% |
NHYB Nuveen High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 1.91% | 1.24% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTSL and NHYB is 0.57, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2025 | 0.57 |
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Return for Risk
FTSL vs. NHYB — Risk / Return Rank
FTSL
NHYB
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
FTSL vs. NHYB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL) and Nuveen High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (NHYB). 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 | NHYB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.45 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.81 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.72 | — | — |
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Drawdowns
FTSL vs. NHYB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTSL drawdown since its inception was -22.67%, which is greater than NHYB's maximum drawdown of -2.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTSL and NHYB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FTSL | NHYB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -22.67% | -2.40% | -20.27% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.33% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -2.66% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -6.96% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -22.67% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.03% | -0.20% | +0.17% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.76% | -0.36% | -0.40% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.63% | — | — |
Volatility
FTSL vs. NHYB - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| FTSL | NHYB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.33% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.96% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.12% | 3.64% | -1.52% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.35% | 3.64% | -0.29% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.19% | 3.64% | +1.55% |
FTSL vs. NHYB - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTSL has a 0.86% expense ratio, which is higher than NHYB's 0.08% expense ratio.
Dividends
FTSL vs. NHYB - Dividend Comparison
FTSL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.46%, more than NHYB's 4.25% 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% |
NHYB Nuveen High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 4.25% | 1.28% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FTSL and NHYB have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, NHYB is cheaper at 0.08% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
NHYB is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for FTSL.
FTSL has the higher dividend yield at 6.46%, compared with 4.25% for NHYB.
They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Nuveen. Their fees differ too: 0.86% for FTSL and 0.08% for NHYB.
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