FTSL vs. SRLN
Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL) and SPDR Blackstone Senior Loan ETF (SRLN).
FTSL and SRLN are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. FTSL is an actively managed fund by First Trust. It was launched on May 1, 2013. SRLN is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the Markit iBoxx USD Liquid Leveraged Loan Index. It was launched on Apr 3, 2013.
Performance
FTSL vs. SRLN - Performance Comparison
Loading graphics...
FTSL vs. SRLN - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTSL First Trust Senior Loan Fund | -0.80% | 5.98% | 8.27% | 11.58% | -2.50% | 3.94% | 2.99% | 10.11% | -1.30% | 2.59% |
SRLN SPDR Blackstone Senior Loan ETF | -1.58% | 6.77% | 8.43% | 11.62% | -5.30% | 4.49% | 3.13% | 10.03% | -0.66% | 3.39% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTSL achieves a -0.80% return, which is significantly higher than SRLN's -1.58% return. Over a longer period, both investments have demonstrated similar performance, with their 10-year annualized returns being quite close: FTSL at 4.48% and SRLN at 4.48%.
FTSL
- 1D
- 0.34%
- 1M
- 1.11%
- YTD
- -0.80%
- 6M
- 0.87%
- 1Y
- 4.68%
- 3Y*
- 7.10%
- 5Y*
- 4.87%
- 10Y*
- 4.48%
SRLN
- 1D
- 0.55%
- 1M
- 1.20%
- YTD
- -1.58%
- 6M
- 0.17%
- 1Y
- 5.24%
- 3Y*
- 7.42%
- 5Y*
- 4.46%
- 10Y*
- 4.48%
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
FTSL vs. SRLN - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTSL has a 0.86% expense ratio, which is higher than SRLN's 0.70% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
FTSL vs. SRLN — Risk / Return Rank
FTSL
SRLN
FTSL vs. SRLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL) and SPDR Blackstone Senior Loan ETF (SRLN). 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.
| FTSL | SRLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.51 | 1.22 | +0.29 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.99 | 1.78 | +0.21 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.41 | 1.32 | +0.09 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.96 | 1.56 | +0.40 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.07 | 5.67 | +1.40 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading graphics...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| FTSL | SRLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.51 | 1.22 | +0.29 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 1.46 | 1.15 | +0.30 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.87 | 0.74 | +0.12 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.83 | 0.67 | +0.16 |
Correlation
The correlation between FTSL and SRLN is 0.48, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.
Dividends
FTSL vs. SRLN - Dividend Comparison
FTSL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.58%, less than SRLN's 7.73% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTSL First Trust Senior Loan Fund | 6.58% | 6.59% | 7.56% | 7.59% | 4.77% | 3.17% | 3.48% | 4.44% | 4.29% | 3.64% | 3.70% | 3.95% |
SRLN SPDR Blackstone Senior Loan ETF | 7.05% | 7.67% | 8.58% | 8.44% | 5.72% | 4.45% | 4.91% | 5.39% | 4.98% | 4.01% | 3.94% | 4.43% |
Drawdowns
FTSL vs. SRLN - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTSL drawdown since its inception was -22.67%, roughly equal to the maximum SRLN drawdown of -22.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTSL and SRLN.
Loading graphics...
Drawdown Indicators
| FTSL | SRLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -22.67% | -22.29% | -0.38% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.33% | -3.31% | +0.98% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -6.96% | -7.93% | +0.97% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -22.67% | -22.29% | -0.38% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.24% | -1.94% | +0.70% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.77% | -1.11% | +0.34% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.65% | 0.93% | -0.28% |
Volatility
FTSL vs. SRLN - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL) is 1.37%, while SPDR Blackstone Senior Loan ETF (SRLN) has a volatility of 1.77%. This indicates that FTSL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SRLN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading graphics...
Volatility by Period
| FTSL | SRLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.37% | 1.77% | -0.40% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.90% | 2.55% | -0.65% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.11% | 4.32% | -1.21% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.36% | 3.89% | -0.53% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.19% | 6.05% | -0.86% |