HYLS vs. RYLD
HYLS (First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF) and RYLD (Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HYLS is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust, while RYLD is a Derivative Income fund tracking the CBOE Russell 2000 BuyWrite Index. HYLS is actively managed, while RYLD is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HYLS returned 2.88%/yr vs 2.45%/yr for RYLD. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HYLS charges 1.01%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for RYLD.
Performance
HYLS vs. RYLD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, HYLS achieves a 0.43% return, which is significantly lower than RYLD's 9.51% return.
HYLS
- 1D
- -0.02%
- 1M
- 0.42%
- YTD
- 0.43%
- 6M
- 0.59%
- 1Y
- 4.69%
- 3Y*
- 8.00%
- 5Y*
- 2.88%
- 10Y*
- 4.44%
RYLD
- 1D
- -0.50%
- 1M
- 2.12%
- YTD
- 9.51%
- 6M
- 8.37%
- 1Y
- 20.74%
- 3Y*
- 8.72%
- 5Y*
- 2.45%
- 10Y*
- —
HYLS vs. RYLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HYLS First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF | 0.43% | 8.00% | 5.85% | 13.66% | -12.83% | 3.69% | 5.32% | 5.05% |
RYLD Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF | 9.51% | 5.65% | 10.13% | 0.27% | -13.03% | 22.13% | -0.44% | 8.86% |
Correlation
The correlation between HYLS and RYLD is 0.63, 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 | 0.63 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.54 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.56 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 22, 2019 | 0.54 |
The correlation between HYLS and RYLD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.54 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
HYLS vs. RYLD — Risk / Return Rank
HYLS
RYLD
HYLS vs. RYLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF (HYLS) and Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF (RYLD). 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.
| HYLS | RYLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.62 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.70 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.25 | 1.41 | -0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.52 | 3.31 | -1.79 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.46 | 13.37 | -6.91 |
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Drawdowns
HYLS vs. RYLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum HYLS drawdown since its inception was -22.99%, smaller than the maximum RYLD drawdown of -41.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HYLS and RYLD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| HYLS | RYLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -22.99% | -41.53% | +18.54% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.09% | -6.29% | +3.20% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -3.96% | -19.05% | +15.09% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.75% | -21.33% | +5.58% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -22.99% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.17% | -0.50% | +0.33% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.15% | -8.78% | +6.63% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.73% | 1.55% | -0.82% |
Volatility
HYLS vs. RYLD - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF (HYLS) is 0.85%, while Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF (RYLD) has a volatility of 2.00%. This indicates that HYLS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RYLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| HYLS | RYLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.85% | 2.00% | -1.15% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.94% | 7.80% | -4.86% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.54% | 10.66% | -7.12% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.62% | 14.05% | -7.43% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 6.70% | 17.15% | -10.45% |
HYLS vs. RYLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
HYLS has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is higher than RYLD's 0.60% expense ratio.
Dividends
HYLS vs. RYLD - Dividend Comparison
HYLS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.69%, less than RYLD's 11.73% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HYLS First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF | 6.69% | 6.38% | 6.25% | 5.98% | 7.38% | 5.48% | 5.09% | 5.17% | 5.81% | 5.53% | 5.37% | 6.11% |
RYLD Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF | 11.73% | 12.00% | 12.03% | 12.64% | 13.49% | 12.35% | 10.76% | 6.43% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
HYLS and RYLD have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
RYLD has higher volatility (2.00%) compared to HYLS (0.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HYLS dropped -22.99% vs RYLD's -41.53%.
On 5-year performance, HYLS leads with 2.88% vs 2.45% for RYLD. On fees, RYLD is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, HYLS has been the lower-risk option at 0.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, HYLS has performed better with a 2.88% return vs 2.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
RYLD is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 1.01% for HYLS.
RYLD has the higher dividend yield at 11.73%, compared with 6.69% for HYLS.
HYLS is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while RYLD is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Global X. Their fees differ too: 1.01% for HYLS and 0.60% for RYLD.
RYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs 1.33), 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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