IBHI vs. FTSL

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IBHI (iShares iBonds 2029 Term High Yield and Income ETF) and FTSL (First Trust Senior Loan Fund) are both High Yield Bonds funds. IBHI is passively managed, while FTSL is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, IBHI returned 9.00%/yr vs 7.36%/yr for FTSL. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IBHI charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for FTSL.

Performance

IBHI vs. FTSL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares iBonds 2029 Term High Yield and Income ETF (IBHI) and First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IBHI achieves a 1.61% return, which is significantly higher than FTSL's 0.65% return.

IBHI

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 1.61%
• 6M: 2.21%
• 1Y: 6.99%
• 3Y*: 9.00%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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%

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

IBHI vs. FTSL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
IBHI iShares iBonds 2029 Term High Yield and Income ETF	1.61%	7.88%	8.33%	14.21%	-8.52%
FTSL First Trust Senior Loan Fund	0.65%	5.98%	8.27%	11.58%	-0.65%

Correlation

The correlation between IBHI and FTSL is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 11, 2022	0.52

The correlation between IBHI and FTSL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.45 to 0.52 - a consistent structural relationship.

IBHI vs. FTSL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IBHI	FTSL
Energy	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	100.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IBHI vs. FTSL — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBHI

IBHI Risk / Return Rank: 64
IBHI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
IBHI Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
IBHI Omega Ratio Rank: 57
IBHI Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
IBHI Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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

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.

IBHI vs. FTSL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares iBonds 2029 Term High Yield and Income ETF (IBHI) and First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL). 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.

	IBHI	FTSL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	2.17	-0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.85	3.37	-0.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.51	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.33	1.97	+1.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.61	7.30	+7.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IBHI vs. FTSL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBHI Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is comparable to the FTSL Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBHI and FTSL, 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

	IBHI	FTSL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.85	2.17	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.51	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.86	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.85	-0.19

Drawdowns

IBHI vs. FTSL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBHI drawdown since its inception was -13.65%, smaller than the maximum FTSL drawdown of -22.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBHI and FTSL.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBHI	FTSL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.65%	-22.67%	+9.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.11%	-2.33%	+0.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.73%	-2.66%	-3.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-6.96%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.67%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	0.00%	-0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.84%	-0.76%	-2.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.48%	0.63%	-0.15%

Volatility

IBHI vs. FTSL - Volatility Comparison

iShares iBonds 2029 Term High Yield and Income ETF (IBHI) has a higher volatility of 0.92% compared to First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL) at 0.36%. This indicates that IBHI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTSL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IBHI	FTSL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.92%	0.36%	+0.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.77%	1.95%	+0.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.81%	2.11%	+1.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.98%	3.35%	+4.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.98%	5.18%	+2.80%

IBHI vs. FTSL - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBHI has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than FTSL's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

IBHI vs. FTSL - Dividend Comparison

IBHI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.69%, more than FTSL's 6.46% 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%
IBHI iShares iBonds 2029 Term High Yield and Income ETF	6.69%	6.79%	6.66%	6.48%	5.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBHI and FTSL in my portfolio?

IBHI and FTSL have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IBHI or FTSL?

IBHI has higher volatility (0.92%) compared to FTSL (0.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBHI dropped -13.65% vs FTSL's -22.67%.

Which ETF is better, IBHI or FTSL?

On 3-year performance, IBHI leads with 9.00% vs 7.36% for FTSL. On fees, IBHI is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, FTSL has been the lower-risk option at 0.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IBHI or FTSL?

Over the 3-year period, IBHI has performed better with a 9.00% return vs 7.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBHI or FTSL?

IBHI is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for FTSL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IBHI or FTSL?

IBHI has the higher dividend yield at 6.69%, compared with 6.46% for FTSL.

What is the main difference between IBHI and FTSL?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for IBHI and 0.86% for FTSL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTSL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 1.85), 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.