LDSF vs. NFTY
LDSF (First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF) and NFTY (First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LDSF is a Short-Term Bond fund actively managed by First Trust, while NFTY is a India Equities fund tracking the NIFTY 50 Equal Weight Index. LDSF is actively managed, while NFTY is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, LDSF returned 2.41%/yr vs 5.61%/yr for NFTY. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. LDSF charges 0.87%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for NFTY.
Performance
LDSF vs. NFTY - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, LDSF achieves a 0.78% return, which is significantly higher than NFTY's -7.65% return.
LDSF
- 1D
- -0.16%
- 1M
- -0.06%
- 6M
- 0.55%
- YTD
- 0.78%
- 1Y
- 4.11%
- 3Y*
- 5.17%
- 5Y*
- 2.41%
- 10Y*
- —
NFTY
- 1D
- -0.54%
- 1M
- 1.23%
- 6M
- -7.33%
- YTD
- -7.65%
- 1Y
- -7.96%
- 3Y*
- 4.78%
- 5Y*
- 5.61%
- 10Y*
- 7.60%
LDSF vs. NFTY - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LDSF First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF | 0.78% | 6.82% | 4.20% | 6.53% | -5.47% | -0.28% | 2.48% | 4.52% |
NFTY First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF | -7.65% | 5.47% | 5.18% | 24.00% | -3.46% | 26.83% | 10.04% | 2.49% |
Correlation
The correlation between LDSF and NFTY is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.40 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.25 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.20 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 7, 2019 | 0.18 |
Over the past year, LDSF and NFTY have become more correlated (0.40) than their long-term average of 0.18, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
LDSF vs. NFTY — Risk / Return Rank
LDSF
NFTY
LDSF vs. NFTY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF (LDSF) and First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF (NFTY). 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.
| LDSF | NFTY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.54 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +3.71 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.40 | 0.92 | +0.48 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.37 | -0.50 | +2.86 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.99 | -1.18 | +11.18 |
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Drawdowns
LDSF vs. NFTY - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum LDSF drawdown since its inception was -8.56%, smaller than the maximum NFTY drawdown of -47.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LDSF and NFTY.
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Drawdown Indicators
| LDSF | NFTY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -8.56% | -47.67% | +39.11% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.74% | -16.14% | +14.40% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.74% | -21.55% | +19.81% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -7.83% | -21.55% | +13.72% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -47.67% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.32% | -15.58% | +15.26% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.44% | -9.62% | +8.18% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.41% | 6.73% | -6.32% |
Volatility
LDSF vs. NFTY - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF (LDSF) is 0.65%, while First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF (NFTY) has a volatility of 3.74%. This indicates that LDSF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NFTY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| LDSF | NFTY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.65% | 3.74% | -3.09% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.75% | 12.64% | -10.89% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.07% | 14.74% | -12.67% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.09% | 17.41% | -14.32% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.17% | 20.65% | -17.48% |
LDSF vs. NFTY - Expense Ratio Comparison
LDSF has a 0.87% expense ratio, which is higher than NFTY's 0.80% expense ratio.
Dividends
LDSF vs. NFTY - Dividend Comparison
LDSF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.66%, more than NFTY's 1.92% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LDSF First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF | 4.66% | 4.52% | 4.53% | 4.08% | 2.61% | 1.97% | 2.65% | 3.06% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
NFTY First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF | 1.92% | 1.24% | 1.61% | 0.13% | 5.89% | 1.53% | 0.61% | 0.97% | 0.00% | 4.10% | 3.28% | 4.39% |
Frequently Asked Questions
LDSF and NFTY have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NFTY has higher volatility (3.74%) compared to LDSF (0.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LDSF dropped -8.56% vs NFTY's -47.67%.
On 5-year performance, NFTY leads with 5.61% vs 2.41% for LDSF. On fees, NFTY is cheaper at 0.80% per year. On volatility, LDSF has been the lower-risk option at 0.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, NFTY has performed better with a 5.61% return vs 2.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
NFTY is cheaper with a 0.80% expense ratio, compared with 0.87% for LDSF.
LDSF has the higher dividend yield at 4.66%, compared with 1.92% for NFTY.
LDSF is categorized as Short-Term Bond, while NFTY is India Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.87% for LDSF and 0.80% for NFTY.
LDSF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs -0.54), 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.
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