HISF vs. EAOA

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

HISF (First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF) and EAOA (iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. HISF is actively managed, while EAOA is passively managed. Over the past year, HISF returned 2.95% vs 19.83% for EAOA. Their 0.44 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. HISF charges 0.87%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for EAOA.

Performance

HISF vs. EAOA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF) and iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF (EAOA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HISF achieves a -0.38% return, which is significantly lower than EAOA's 9.37% return.

HISF

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: -0.89%
• 6M: -0.63%
• YTD: -0.38%
• 1Y: 2.95%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 4.66%

EAOA

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: -0.07%
• 6M: 6.89%
• YTD: 9.37%
• 1Y: 19.83%
• 3Y*: 15.23%
• 5Y*: 8.17%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.69%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EAOA iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF	$23.58K	$40.91K	$70.98K
HISF First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF	$329.55K	$362.74K	$352.16K

HISF vs. EAOA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
HISF First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF	-0.38%	8.39%	3.41%
EAOA iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF	9.37%	18.41%	10.20%

Correlation

The correlation between HISF and EAOA is 0.57, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 28, 2024	0.44

The correlation between HISF and EAOA shifts across timeframes, from 0.44 (all time) to 0.57 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

HISF vs. EAOA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

HISF

HISF Risk / Return Rank: 40
HISF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
HISF Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
HISF Omega Ratio Rank: 41
HISF Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
HISF Martin Ratio Rank: 38

EAOA

EAOA Risk / Return Rank: 70
EAOA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
EAOA Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
EAOA Omega Ratio Rank: 69
EAOA Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
EAOA Martin Ratio Rank: 77

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

HISF vs. EAOA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF) and iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF (EAOA). 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.

	HISF	EAOA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.06	1.60	-0.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.54	2.27	-0.73
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.29	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.22	2.30	-1.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.89	9.67	-5.78

HISF vs. EAOA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HISF Sharpe Ratio is 1.06, which is lower than the EAOA Sharpe Ratio of 1.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HISF and EAOA, 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

HISF vs. EAOA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HISF drawdown since its inception was -3.86%, smaller than the maximum EAOA drawdown of -25.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HISF and EAOA.

Drawdown Indicators

	HISF	EAOA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.86%	-25.06%	+21.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.90%	-8.17%	+5.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-13.84%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.06%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.61%	-1.22%	-0.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.90%	-5.21%	+4.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.91%	1.94%	-1.03%

Volatility

HISF vs. EAOA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF) is 0.90%, while iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF (EAOA) has a volatility of 3.36%. This indicates that HISF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EAOA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HISF	EAOA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.90%	3.36%	-2.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.80%	9.76%	-6.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.33%	11.73%	-8.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.91%	13.39%	-9.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.91%	13.16%	-9.25%

HISF vs. EAOA - Expense Ratio Comparison

HISF has a 0.87% expense ratio, which is higher than EAOA's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

HISF vs. EAOA - Dividend Comparison

HISF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.12%, more than EAOA's 1.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
EAOA iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF	1.99%	2.10%	2.09%	2.21%	1.93%	1.48%	1.12%
HISF First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF	5.12%	4.69%	3.92%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HISF and EAOA in my portfolio?

HISF and EAOA 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.

Which is riskier, HISF or EAOA?

EAOA has higher volatility (3.36%) compared to HISF (0.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HISF dropped -3.86% vs EAOA's -25.06%.

Which ETF is better, HISF or EAOA?

On 1-year performance, EAOA leads with 19.83% vs 2.95% for HISF. On fees, EAOA is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, HISF has been the lower-risk option at 0.90%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HISF or EAOA?

Over the 1-year period, EAOA has performed better with a 19.83% return vs 2.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HISF or EAOA?

EAOA is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.87% for HISF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HISF or EAOA?

HISF has the higher dividend yield at 5.12%, compared with 1.99% for EAOA.

What is the main difference between HISF and EAOA?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.87% for HISF and 0.18% for EAOA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EAOA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.60 vs 1.06), 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.