LCORX vs. FTLS

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

LCORX (Leuthold Core Investment Fund) and FTLS (First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF) are both funds - LCORX is a Tactical Allocation fund managed by Leuthold, while FTLS is a Long-Short fund actively managed by First Trust. Over the past 10 years, LCORX returned 8.25%/yr vs 9.89%/yr for FTLS. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LCORX charges 1.16%/yr vs 1.60%/yr for FTLS.

Performance

LCORX vs. FTLS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Leuthold Core Investment Fund (LCORX) 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, LCORX achieves a 5.91% return, which is significantly higher than FTLS's 4.22% return. Over the past 10 years, LCORX has underperformed FTLS with an annualized return of 8.25%, while FTLS has yielded a comparatively higher 9.89% annualized return.

LCORX

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: -0.04%
• YTD: 5.91%
• 6M: 4.84%
• 1Y: 14.50%
• 3Y*: 11.97%
• 5Y*: 7.51%
• 10Y*: 8.25%

FTLS

• 1D: -0.46%
• 1M: -0.98%
• YTD: 4.22%
• 6M: 3.10%
• 1Y: 13.69%
• 3Y*: 13.87%
• 5Y*: 9.96%
• 10Y*: 9.89%

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

LCORX vs. FTLS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LCORX Leuthold Core Investment Fund	5.91%	14.39%	8.01%	11.71%	-6.78%	15.19%	10.08%	11.58%	-6.23%	15.79%
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF	4.22%	9.09%	18.80%	16.94%	-5.56%	19.65%	2.56%	16.16%	-4.81%	14.41%

Correlation

The correlation between LCORX and FTLS is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2014	0.78

The correlation between LCORX and FTLS shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (1 year) to 0.79 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

LCORX vs. FTLS — Risk / Return Rank

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

LCORX

LCORX Risk / Return Rank: 44
LCORX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
LCORX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
LCORX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
LCORX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
LCORX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

FTLS

FTLS Risk / Return Rank: 61
FTLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
FTLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
FTLS Omega Ratio Rank: 52
FTLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
FTLS Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

LCORX vs. FTLS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Leuthold Core Investment Fund (LCORX) 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.

	LCORX	FTLS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.73	1.64	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.47	2.38	+0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.30	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.32	3.63	-1.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.77	11.22	-2.45

LCORX vs. FTLS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LCORX Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is comparable to the FTLS Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LCORX 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

LCORX vs. FTLS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LCORX drawdown since its inception was -41.31%, which is greater than FTLS's maximum drawdown of -20.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LCORX and FTLS.

Drawdown Indicators

	LCORX	FTLS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.31%	-20.54%	-20.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.55%	-3.79%	-2.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.98%	-11.69%	+1.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.88%	-11.69%	-2.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.38%	-20.54%	+1.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.77%	-1.28%	-0.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.00%	-2.68%	-2.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.73%	1.22%	+0.51%

Volatility

LCORX vs. FTLS - Volatility Comparison

Leuthold Core Investment Fund (LCORX) has a higher volatility of 2.99% compared to First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) at 2.56%. This indicates that LCORX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTLS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LCORX	FTLS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.99%	2.56%	+0.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.17%	5.92%	+1.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.82%	8.41%	+0.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.21%	10.58%	-1.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.66%	11.27%	-1.61%

LCORX vs. FTLS - Expense Ratio Comparison

LCORX has a 1.16% expense ratio, which is lower than FTLS's 1.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

LCORX vs. FTLS - Dividend Comparison

LCORX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.54%, more than FTLS's 0.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF	0.91%	1.07%	1.50%	1.49%	0.81%	0.01%	0.44%	0.83%	0.87%	0.43%	1.04%	0.49%
LCORX Leuthold Core Investment Fund	7.54%	7.93%	7.03%	5.57%	7.20%	5.00%	0.24%	1.89%	10.74%	3.22%	0.45%	3.94%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LCORX and FTLS in my portfolio?

LCORX and FTLS have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LCORX or FTLS?

LCORX has higher volatility (2.99%) compared to FTLS (2.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LCORX dropped -41.31% vs FTLS's -20.54%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LCORX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.73 vs 1.64), 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.