HYLS vs. FDL
HYLS (First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - HYLS is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. HYLS is actively managed, while FDL is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, HYLS returned 4.35%/yr vs 11.24%/yr for FDL. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HYLS charges 1.01%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.
Performance
HYLS vs. FDL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, HYLS achieves a 0.28% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 13.33% return. Over the past 10 years, HYLS has underperformed FDL with an annualized return of 4.35%, while FDL has yielded a comparatively higher 11.24% annualized return.
HYLS
- 1D
- -0.17%
- 1M
- 0.39%
- YTD
- 0.28%
- 6M
- 0.70%
- 1Y
- 5.37%
- 3Y*
- 7.73%
- 5Y*
- 2.94%
- 10Y*
- 4.35%
FDL
- 1D
- -0.26%
- 1M
- -0.26%
- YTD
- 13.33%
- 6M
- 14.76%
- 1Y
- 23.67%
- 3Y*
- 18.97%
- 5Y*
- 12.51%
- 10Y*
- 11.24%
HYLS vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HYLS First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF | 0.28% | 8.00% | 5.85% | 13.66% | -12.83% | 3.69% | 5.32% | 14.66% | -2.46% | 6.39% |
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund | 13.33% | 14.79% | 17.98% | 2.94% | 6.66% | 26.10% | -4.30% | 24.41% | -5.99% | 12.02% |
Correlation
The correlation between HYLS and FDL is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.23 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.44 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.46 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 28, 2013 | 0.42 |
The correlation between HYLS and FDL shifts across timeframes, from 0.23 (1 year) to 0.46 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
HYLS vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank
HYLS
FDL
HYLS vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF (HYLS) and First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL). 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.
| HYLS | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.57 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.87 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.29 | 1.37 | -0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.74 | 5.56 | -3.82 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.42 | 13.56 | -6.14 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| HYLS | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.54 | 2.11 | -0.57 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.45 | 0.88 | -0.43 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.65 | 0.66 | -0.01 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.68 | 0.45 | +0.23 |
Drawdowns
HYLS vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum HYLS drawdown since its inception was -22.99%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HYLS and FDL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| HYLS | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -22.99% | -65.93% | +42.94% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.09% | -4.27% | +1.18% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -3.96% | -12.24% | +8.28% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.75% | -16.46% | +0.71% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -22.99% | -41.40% | +18.41% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.20% | -2.18% | +1.98% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.15% | -9.66% | +7.51% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.73% | 1.75% | -1.02% |
Volatility
HYLS vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF (HYLS) is 1.16%, while First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) has a volatility of 2.85%. This indicates that HYLS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FDL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| HYLS | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.16% | 2.85% | -1.69% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.90% | 7.87% | -4.97% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.51% | 11.28% | -7.77% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.62% | 14.31% | -7.69% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 6.70% | 17.11% | -10.41% |
HYLS vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison
HYLS has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.
Dividends
HYLS vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison
HYLS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.70%, more than FDL's 3.68% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund | 3.68% | 4.04% | 4.96% | 4.58% | 3.58% | 4.59% | 4.48% | 3.75% | 3.97% | 3.18% | 2.93% | 3.65% |
HYLS First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF | 6.70% | 6.38% | 6.25% | 5.98% | 7.38% | 5.48% | 5.09% | 5.17% | 5.81% | 5.53% | 5.37% | 6.11% |
Frequently Asked Questions
HYLS and FDL have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FDL has higher volatility (2.85%) compared to HYLS (1.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HYLS dropped -22.99% vs FDL's -65.93%.
On 10-year performance, FDL leads with 11.24% vs 4.35% for HYLS. On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, HYLS has been the lower-risk option at 1.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, FDL has performed better with a 11.24% return vs 4.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FDL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 1.01% for HYLS.
HYLS has the higher dividend yield at 6.70%, compared with 3.68% for FDL.
HYLS is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. Their fees differ too: 1.01% for HYLS and 0.45% for FDL.
FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.54), 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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