FTSL vs. RDVY
FTSL (First Trust Senior Loan Fund) and RDVY (First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTSL is a Bank Loan fund actively managed by First Trust, while RDVY is a Dividend fund tracking the Nasdaq US Rising Dividend Achievers Index. FTSL is actively managed, while RDVY is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTSL returned 4.42%/yr vs 16.25%/yr for RDVY. Their 0.35 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. FTSL charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for RDVY.
Performance
FTSL vs. RDVY - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTSL achieves a 1.33% return, which is significantly lower than RDVY's 17.25% return. Over the past 10 years, FTSL has underperformed RDVY with an annualized return of 4.42%, while RDVY has yielded a comparatively higher 16.25% annualized return.
FTSL
- 1D
- 0.11%
- 1M
- 0.51%
- 6M
- 1.82%
- YTD
- 1.33%
- 1Y
- 3.96%
- 3Y*
- 6.74%
- 5Y*
- 5.15%
- 10Y*
- 4.42%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.00%
RDVY
- 1D
- 0.36%
- 1M
- 1.19%
- 6M
- 12.71%
- YTD
- 17.25%
- 1Y
- 30.74%
- 3Y*
- 19.76%
- 5Y*
- 12.89%
- 10Y*
- 16.25%
- ALL TIME*
- 13.76%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $8.60M | $10.00M | $9.63M | |
| $77.65M | $79.19M | $83.63M |
FTSL vs. RDVY - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTSL First Trust Senior Loan Fund | 1.33% | 5.98% | 8.27% | 11.58% | -2.50% | 3.94% | 2.99% | 10.11% | -1.30% | 2.59% |
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF | 17.25% | 18.90% | 16.41% | 20.38% | -13.27% | 31.14% | 13.47% | 37.71% | -9.92% | 22.75% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTSL and RDVY is 0.49, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.49 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.46 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.51 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.39 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 7, 2014 | 0.35 |
The correlation between FTSL and RDVY shifts across timeframes, from 0.35 (all time) to 0.51 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FTSL vs. RDVY — Risk / Return Rank
FTSL
RDVY
FTSL vs. RDVY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL) and First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY). 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 | RDVY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.16 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.02 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.41 | 1.35 | +0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.71 | 3.25 | -1.54 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.32 | 13.63 | -7.31 |
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Drawdowns
FTSL vs. RDVY - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTSL drawdown since its inception was -22.67%, smaller than the maximum RDVY drawdown of -40.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTSL and RDVY.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FTSL | RDVY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -22.67% | -40.60% | +17.93% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.33% | -9.04% | +6.71% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -2.66% | -19.11% | +16.45% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -6.96% | -25.32% | +18.36% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -22.67% | -40.60% | +17.93% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.75% | -4.95% | +4.20% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.63% | 2.15% | -1.52% |
Volatility
FTSL vs. RDVY - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL) is 0.47%, while First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) has a volatility of 3.53%. This indicates that FTSL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RDVY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FTSL | RDVY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.47% | 3.53% | -3.06% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.96% | 11.46% | -9.50% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.15% | 14.65% | -12.50% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.35% | 18.92% | -15.57% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.18% | 21.03% | -15.85% |
FTSL vs. RDVY - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTSL has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than RDVY's 0.47% expense ratio.
Dividends
FTSL vs. RDVY - Dividend Comparison
FTSL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.37%, more than RDVY's 0.83% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTSL First Trust Senior Loan Fund | 6.37% | 6.59% | 7.56% | 7.59% | 4.77% | 3.17% | 3.48% | 4.44% | 4.29% | 3.64% | 3.70% | 3.95% |
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF | 0.83% | 1.11% | 1.64% | 2.09% | 2.21% | 1.04% | 1.53% | 1.55% | 1.68% | 1.25% | 2.07% | 2.14% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FTSL and RDVY have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
RDVY has higher volatility (3.53%) compared to FTSL (0.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTSL dropped -22.67% vs RDVY's -40.60%.
On 10-year performance, RDVY leads with 16.25% vs 4.42% for FTSL. On fees, RDVY is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, FTSL has been the lower-risk option at 0.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, RDVY has performed better with a 16.25% return vs 4.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
RDVY is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for FTSL.
FTSL has the higher dividend yield at 6.37%, compared with 0.83% for RDVY.
FTSL is categorized as Bank Loan, while RDVY is Dividend. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for FTSL and 0.47% for RDVY.
RDVY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs 1.85), 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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