FTSL vs. SMST

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

FTSL (First Trust Senior Loan Fund) and SMST (Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTSL is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust, while SMST is a Inverse Equities fund actively managed by Defiance. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, FTSL returned 3.87% vs 223.04% for SMST. At a correlation of -0.32, they often move in opposite directions. FTSL charges 0.86%/yr vs 1.29%/yr for SMST.

Performance

FTSL vs. SMST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL) and Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF (SMST). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTSL achieves a 1.02% return, which is significantly higher than SMST's -31.56% return.

FTSL

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.51%
• 6M: 0.63%
• YTD: 1.02%
• 1Y: 3.87%
• 3Y*: 6.90%
• 5Y*: 5.05%
• 10Y*: 4.44%

SMST

• 1D: -1.67%
• 1M: 37.17%
• 6M: -24.18%
• YTD: -31.56%
• 1Y: 223.04%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FTSL vs. SMST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FTSL First Trust Senior Loan Fund	1.02%	5.98%	3.45%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	-31.56%	-44.36%	-91.71%

Correlation

The correlation between FTSL and SMST is -0.36, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 21, 2024	-0.32

Return for Risk

FTSL vs. SMST — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTSL

FTSL Risk / Return Rank: 66
FTSL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
FTSL Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
FTSL Omega Ratio Rank: 87
FTSL Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
FTSL Martin Ratio Rank: 47

SMST

SMST Risk / Return Rank: 53
SMST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
SMST Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
SMST Omega Ratio Rank: 58
SMST Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SMST Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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.

FTSL vs. SMST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL) and Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF (SMST). 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	SMST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	1.37	+0.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	2.22	+0.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.29	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.69	2.39	-0.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.27	4.64	+1.63

FTSL vs. SMST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTSL Sharpe Ratio is 1.86, which is higher than the SMST Sharpe Ratio of 1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTSL and SMST, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FTSL vs. SMST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTSL drawdown since its inception was -22.67%, smaller than the maximum SMST drawdown of -99.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTSL and SMST.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTSL	SMST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.67%	-99.25%	+76.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.33%	-85.39%	+83.06%
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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-97.31%	+97.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.76%	-90.88%	+90.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.63%	43.98%	-43.35%

Volatility

FTSL vs. SMST - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL) is 0.38%, while Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF (SMST) has a volatility of 56.47%. This indicates that FTSL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMST based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTSL	SMST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.38%	56.47%	-56.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.96%	135.94%	-133.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.12%	149.09%	-146.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.35%	167.87%	-164.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.18%	167.87%	-162.69%

FTSL vs. SMST - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTSL has a 0.86% expense ratio, which is lower than SMST's 1.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTSL vs. SMST - Dividend Comparison

FTSL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.42%, while SMST has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTSL First Trust Senior Loan Fund	6.42%	6.59%	7.56%	7.59%	4.77%	3.17%	3.48%	4.44%	4.29%	3.64%	3.70%	3.95%
SMST Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTSL and SMST in my portfolio?

FTSL and SMST 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.

Which is riskier, FTSL or SMST?

SMST has higher volatility (56.47%) compared to FTSL (0.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTSL dropped -22.67% vs SMST's -99.25%.

Which ETF is better, FTSL or SMST?

On 1-year performance, SMST leads with 223.04% vs 3.87% for FTSL. On fees, FTSL is cheaper at 0.86% per year. On volatility, FTSL has been the lower-risk option at 0.38%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTSL or SMST?

Over the 1-year period, SMST has performed better with a 223.04% return vs 3.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTSL or SMST?

FTSL is cheaper with a 0.86% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for SMST.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTSL or SMST?

FTSL has the higher dividend yield at 6.42%, compared with 0.00% for SMST.

What is the main difference between FTSL and SMST?

FTSL is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while SMST is Inverse Equities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.86% for FTSL and 1.29% for SMST.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTSL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 1.37), 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.