JDIEX vs. FTLS

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

JDIEX (Easterly Hedged Equity Fund) and FTLS (First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF) are both funds - JDIEX is a Options Trading fund managed by James Alpha Advisors, while FTLS is a Long-Short fund actively managed by First Trust. Over the past 10 years, JDIEX returned 8.91%/yr vs 10.02%/yr for FTLS. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. JDIEX charges 1.26%/yr vs 1.60%/yr for FTLS.

Performance

JDIEX vs. FTLS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Easterly Hedged Equity Fund (JDIEX) and First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JDIEX achieves a 7.61% return, which is significantly higher than FTLS's 5.55% return. Over the past 10 years, JDIEX has underperformed FTLS with an annualized return of 8.91%, while FTLS has yielded a comparatively higher 10.02% annualized return.

JDIEX

• 1D: 0.56%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 7.61%
• 6M: 7.32%
• 1Y: 17.49%
• 3Y*: 14.34%
• 5Y*: 10.70%
• 10Y*: 8.91%

FTLS

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 5.55%
• 6M: 5.16%
• 1Y: 16.53%
• 3Y*: 14.35%
• 5Y*: 10.26%
• 10Y*: 10.02%

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

JDIEX vs. FTLS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JDIEX Easterly Hedged Equity Fund	7.61%	11.87%	17.36%	14.58%	-2.74%	11.25%	7.57%	12.11%	1.56%	6.68%
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF	5.55%	9.09%	18.80%	16.94%	-5.56%	19.65%	2.56%	16.16%	-4.81%	14.41%

Correlation

The correlation between JDIEX and FTLS is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2016	0.71

The correlation between JDIEX and FTLS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

JDIEX vs. FTLS — Risk / Return Rank

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

JDIEX

JDIEX Risk / Return Rank: 89
JDIEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
JDIEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
JDIEX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
JDIEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
JDIEX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

FTLS

FTLS Risk / Return Rank: 69
FTLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
FTLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
FTLS Omega Ratio Rank: 61
FTLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
FTLS Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

JDIEX vs. FTLS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Easterly Hedged Equity Fund (JDIEX) and First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS). 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.

	JDIEX	FTLS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.65	1.99	+0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.82	2.86	+0.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.36	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.95	4.39	+0.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.73	13.59	+5.14

JDIEX vs. FTLS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JDIEX Sharpe Ratio is 2.65, which is higher than the FTLS Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JDIEX and FTLS, 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

JDIEX vs. FTLS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JDIEX drawdown since its inception was -17.63%, smaller than the maximum FTLS drawdown of -20.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JDIEX and FTLS.

Drawdown Indicators

	JDIEX	FTLS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.63%	-20.54%	+2.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.49%	-3.79%	+0.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.66%	-11.69%	+1.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.57%	-11.69%	-5.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.63%	-20.54%	+2.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.98%	-0.02%	-0.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.52%	-2.69%	+0.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.92%	1.22%	-0.30%

Volatility

JDIEX vs. FTLS - Volatility Comparison

Easterly Hedged Equity Fund (JDIEX) and First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) have volatilities of 2.39% and 2.41%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JDIEX	FTLS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.39%	2.41%	-0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.13%	5.91%	-0.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.53%	8.37%	-1.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.33%	10.57%	+0.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.74%	11.30%	-0.56%

JDIEX vs. FTLS - Expense Ratio Comparison

JDIEX has a 1.26% expense ratio, which is lower than FTLS's 1.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

JDIEX vs. FTLS - Dividend Comparison

JDIEX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FTLS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF	0.90%	1.07%	1.50%	1.49%	0.81%	0.01%	0.44%	0.83%	0.87%	0.43%	1.04%	0.49%
JDIEX Easterly Hedged Equity Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.09%	0.23%	2.45%	10.68%	8.01%	1.99%	10.75%	2.57%	0.11%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JDIEX and FTLS in my portfolio?

JDIEX and FTLS have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JDIEX or FTLS?

FTLS has higher volatility (2.41%) compared to JDIEX (2.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JDIEX dropped -17.63% vs FTLS's -20.54%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JDIEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.65 vs 1.99), 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.