HYLS vs. FFTWX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HYLS (First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF) and FFTWX (Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund) are both funds - HYLS is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust, while FFTWX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Fidelity. Over the past 10 years, HYLS returned 4.35%/yr vs 8.29%/yr for FFTWX. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HYLS charges 1.01%/yr vs 0.62%/yr for FFTWX.

Performance

HYLS vs. FFTWX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF (HYLS) and Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund (FFTWX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HYLS achieves a 0.28% return, which is significantly lower than FFTWX's 8.11% return. Over the past 10 years, HYLS has underperformed FFTWX with an annualized return of 4.35%, while FFTWX has yielded a comparatively higher 8.29% 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%

FFTWX

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: 3.06%
• YTD: 8.11%
• 6M: 8.93%
• 1Y: 19.54%
• 3Y*: 13.29%
• 5Y*: 5.88%
• 10Y*: 8.29%

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

HYLS vs. FFTWX - 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%
FFTWX Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund	8.11%	16.46%	8.20%	14.10%	-16.66%	10.09%	14.70%	19.45%	-5.93%	15.57%

Correlation

The correlation between HYLS and FFTWX is 0.73, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 28, 2013	0.62

The correlation between HYLS and FFTWX shifts across timeframes, from 0.62 (all time) to 0.73 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

HYLS vs. FFTWX — Risk / Return Rank

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

HYLS

HYLS Risk / Return Rank: 44
HYLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
HYLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
HYLS Omega Ratio Rank: 46
HYLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
HYLS Martin Ratio Rank: 45

FFTWX

FFTWX Risk / Return Rank: 70
FFTWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
FFTWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
FFTWX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
FFTWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
FFTWX Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

HYLS vs. FFTWX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF (HYLS) and Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund (FFTWX). 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	FFTWX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.54	2.46	-0.92
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.38	3.49	-1.11
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.48	-0.19
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.74	3.08	-1.33
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.42	13.46	-6.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HYLS vs. FFTWX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HYLS Sharpe Ratio is 1.54, which is lower than the FFTWX Sharpe Ratio of 2.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HYLS and FFTWX, 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

	HYLS	FFTWX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.54	2.46	-0.92
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.59	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65	0.82	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.68	0.53	+0.15

Drawdowns

HYLS vs. FFTWX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HYLS drawdown since its inception was -22.99%, smaller than the maximum FFTWX drawdown of -47.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HYLS and FFTWX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HYLS	FFTWX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.99%	-47.51%	+24.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.09%	-6.40%	+3.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.96%	-8.87%	+4.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.75%	-23.66%	+7.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.99%	-23.66%	+0.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	0.00%	-0.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.15%	-5.57%	+3.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.73%	1.46%	-0.73%

Volatility

HYLS vs. FFTWX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF (HYLS) is 1.16%, while Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund (FFTWX) has a volatility of 2.96%. This indicates that HYLS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FFTWX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HYLS	FFTWX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.16%	2.96%	-1.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.90%	6.68%	-3.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.51%	8.02%	-4.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.62%	9.94%	-3.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.70%	10.09%	-3.39%

HYLS vs. FFTWX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HYLS has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is higher than FFTWX's 0.62% expense ratio.

Dividends

HYLS vs. FFTWX - Dividend Comparison

HYLS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.70%, less than FFTWX's 6.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FFTWX Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund	6.77%	6.44%	3.74%	2.08%	9.66%	10.38%	5.75%	6.09%	6.39%	3.04%	3.91%	5.60%
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

Can I hold both HYLS and FFTWX in my portfolio?

HYLS and FFTWX have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HYLS or FFTWX?

FFTWX has higher volatility (2.96%) compared to HYLS (1.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HYLS dropped -22.99% vs FFTWX's -47.51%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FFTWX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.46 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.