LDSF vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LDSF (First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LDSF is a Short-Term Bond fund actively managed by First Trust, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. LDSF is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, LDSF returned 2.38%/yr vs 13.83%/yr for SPY. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. LDSF charges 0.87%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

LDSF vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF (LDSF) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LDSF achieves a 0.74% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return.

LDSF

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 0.26%
• YTD: 0.74%
• 6M: 1.04%
• 1Y: 5.06%
• 3Y*: 5.29%
• 5Y*: 2.38%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

LDSF vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
LDSF First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF	0.74%	6.82%	4.20%	6.53%	-5.47%	-0.28%	2.48%	4.52%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	28.92%

Correlation

The correlation between LDSF and SPY is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 8, 2019	0.26

The correlation between LDSF and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.26 (all time) to 0.44 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

LDSF vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LDSF	SPY
Healthcare	100.0%	8.4%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Communication Services	-	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.8%
Energy	-	3.6%
Financial Services	-	11.8%
Industrials	-	7.8%
Real Estate	-	1.9%
Technology	-	35.9%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

LDSF vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

LDSF

LDSF Risk / Return Rank: 74
LDSF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
LDSF Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
LDSF Omega Ratio Rank: 84
LDSF Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
LDSF Martin Ratio Rank: 68

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY 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.

LDSF vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF (LDSF) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	LDSF	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.47	2.38	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.80	3.24	+0.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.43	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.92	3.16	-0.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.40	14.72	-2.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LDSF vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LDSF Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LDSF and SPY, 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

	LDSF	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.47	2.38	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	0.82	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	0.59	+0.22

Drawdowns

LDSF vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LDSF drawdown since its inception was -8.56%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LDSF and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	LDSF	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.56%	-55.19%	+46.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.74%	-8.88%	+7.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.74%	-18.76%	+17.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.83%	-24.50%	+16.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.27%	-0.70%	+0.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.46%	-9.05%	+7.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.41%	1.91%	-1.50%

Volatility

LDSF vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF (LDSF) is 0.73%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 2.84%. This indicates that LDSF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LDSF	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.73%	2.84%	-2.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.65%	8.90%	-7.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.06%	11.83%	-9.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.08%	17.05%	-13.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.18%	17.94%	-14.76%

LDSF vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

LDSF has a 0.87% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

LDSF vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

LDSF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.63%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LDSF First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF	4.63%	4.52%	4.53%	4.08%	2.61%	1.97%	2.65%	3.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LDSF and SPY in my portfolio?

LDSF and SPY have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LDSF or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (2.84%) compared to LDSF (0.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LDSF dropped -8.56% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, LDSF or SPY?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 13.83% vs 2.38% for LDSF. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, LDSF has been the lower-risk option at 0.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LDSF or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 13.83% return vs 2.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LDSF or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.87% for LDSF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LDSF or SPY?

LDSF has the higher dividend yield at 4.63%, compared with 0.98% for SPY.

What is the main difference between LDSF and SPY?

LDSF is categorized as Short-Term Bond, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.87% for LDSF and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LDSF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 vs 2.38), 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.