FTSL vs. VMBSX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FTSL (First Trust Senior Loan Fund) and VMBSX (Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - FTSL is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust, while VMBSX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, FTSL returned 4.44%/yr vs 1.85%/yr for VMBSX. At a 0.07 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FTSL charges 0.86%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VMBSX.

Performance

FTSL vs. VMBSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL) and Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VMBSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTSL achieves a 0.65% return, which is significantly higher than VMBSX's 0.60% return. Over the past 10 years, FTSL has outperformed VMBSX with an annualized return of 4.44%, while VMBSX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.85% annualized return.

FTSL

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 0.65%
• 6M: 0.98%
• 1Y: 4.56%
• 3Y*: 7.36%
• 5Y*: 5.02%
• 10Y*: 4.44%

VMBSX

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 0.08%
• YTD: 0.60%
• 6M: 0.94%
• 1Y: 6.11%
• 3Y*: 4.62%
• 5Y*: 0.47%
• 10Y*: 1.85%

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

FTSL vs. VMBSX - 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%
VMBSX Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.60%	8.43%	1.76%	4.99%	-11.56%	-1.35%	3.74%	11.47%	0.87%	2.32%

Correlation

The correlation between FTSL and VMBSX is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.12
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 3, 2013	0.07

The correlation between FTSL and VMBSX shifts across timeframes, from 0.07 (all time) to 0.24 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FTSL vs. VMBSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTSL

FTSL Risk / Return Rank: 63
FTSL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
FTSL Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
FTSL Omega Ratio Rank: 85
FTSL Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
FTSL Martin Ratio Rank: 45

VMBSX

VMBSX Risk / Return Rank: 40
VMBSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
VMBSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
VMBSX Omega Ratio Rank: 38
VMBSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
VMBSX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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. VMBSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL) and Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VMBSX). 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	VMBSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	1.78	+0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.37	2.65	+0.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.33	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.97	2.54	-0.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.30	8.52	-1.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTSL vs. VMBSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTSL Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is comparable to the VMBSX Sharpe Ratio of 1.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTSL and VMBSX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FTSL	VMBSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.17	1.78	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.51	0.07	+1.43
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	0.38	+0.48
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.85	0.58	+0.27

Drawdowns

FTSL vs. VMBSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTSL drawdown since its inception was -22.67%, which is greater than VMBSX's maximum drawdown of -17.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTSL and VMBSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTSL	VMBSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.67%	-17.44%	-5.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.33%	-2.67%	+0.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.66%	-7.53%	+4.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.96%	-17.12%	+10.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.67%	-17.44%	-5.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.43%	+1.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.76%	-2.48%	+1.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.63%	0.79%	-0.16%

Volatility

FTSL vs. VMBSX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL) is 0.36%, while Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VMBSX) has a volatility of 1.43%. This indicates that FTSL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VMBSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTSL	VMBSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.36%	1.43%	-1.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.95%	2.72%	-0.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.11%	3.82%	-1.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.35%	6.40%	-3.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.18%	4.86%	+0.32%

FTSL vs. VMBSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTSL has a 0.86% expense ratio, which is higher than VMBSX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTSL vs. VMBSX - Dividend Comparison

FTSL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.46%, more than VMBSX's 4.17% 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%
VMBSX Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund Admiral Shares	4.17%	4.18%	4.24%	3.28%	2.31%	0.99%	2.00%	7.48%	2.72%	2.16%	1.98%	2.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTSL and VMBSX in my portfolio?

FTSL and VMBSX have a correlation of 0.12, 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 VMBSX?

VMBSX has higher volatility (1.43%) compared to FTSL (0.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTSL dropped -22.67% vs VMBSX's -17.44%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTSL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 1.78), 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.