LDSF vs. XMPT
LDSF (First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF) and XMPT (VanEck CEF Municipal Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LDSF is a Short-Term Bond fund actively managed by First Trust, while XMPT is a High Yield Muni fund tracking the S-Network Municipal Bond Closed-End Fund Index. LDSF is actively managed, while XMPT is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, LDSF returned 2.41%/yr vs -0.98%/yr for XMPT. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. LDSF charges 0.87%/yr vs 1.97%/yr for XMPT.
Performance
LDSF vs. XMPT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, LDSF achieves a 0.82% return, which is significantly lower than XMPT's 4.03% return.
LDSF
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.39%
- YTD
- 0.82%
- 6M
- 0.93%
- 1Y
- 4.46%
- 3Y*
- 5.34%
- 5Y*
- 2.41%
- 10Y*
- —
XMPT
- 1D
- 0.59%
- 1M
- 3.08%
- YTD
- 4.03%
- 6M
- 5.11%
- 1Y
- 13.45%
- 3Y*
- 7.34%
- 5Y*
- -0.98%
- 10Y*
- 1.98%
LDSF vs. XMPT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LDSF First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF | 0.82% | 6.82% | 4.20% | 6.53% | -5.47% | -0.28% | 2.48% | 4.52% |
XMPT VanEck CEF Municipal Income ETF | 4.03% | 8.01% | 7.01% | 2.55% | -24.02% | 7.94% | 7.70% | 17.74% |
Correlation
The correlation between LDSF and XMPT is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.47 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.49 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.46 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 7, 2019 | 0.38 |
The correlation between LDSF and XMPT shifts across timeframes, from 0.38 (all time) to 0.49 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
LDSF vs. XMPT — Risk / Return Rank
LDSF
XMPT
LDSF vs. XMPT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF (LDSF) and VanEck CEF Municipal Income ETF (XMPT). 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 | XMPT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.33 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.53 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.45 | 1.37 | +0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.57 | 2.06 | +0.51 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.83 | 8.34 | +2.49 |
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Drawdowns
LDSF vs. XMPT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum LDSF drawdown since its inception was -8.56%, smaller than the maximum XMPT drawdown of -35.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LDSF and XMPT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| LDSF | XMPT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -8.56% | -35.24% | +26.68% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.74% | -6.57% | +4.83% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.74% | -15.04% | +13.30% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -7.83% | -35.24% | +27.41% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -35.24% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.26% | -7.43% | +7.17% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.45% | -8.81% | +7.36% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.41% | 1.62% | -1.21% |
Volatility
LDSF vs. XMPT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF (LDSF) is 0.67%, while VanEck CEF Municipal Income ETF (XMPT) has a volatility of 1.82%. This indicates that LDSF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XMPT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| LDSF | XMPT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.67% | 1.82% | -1.15% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.71% | 6.09% | -4.38% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.05% | 7.28% | -5.23% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 3.09% | 9.37% | -6.28% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 3.17% | 10.37% | -7.20% |
LDSF vs. XMPT - Expense Ratio Comparison
LDSF has a 0.87% expense ratio, which is lower than XMPT's 1.97% expense ratio.
Dividends
LDSF vs. XMPT - Dividend Comparison
LDSF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.63%, less than XMPT's 6.23% 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% |
XMPT VanEck CEF Municipal Income ETF | 6.23% | 5.87% | 5.35% | 3.81% | 5.12% | 3.74% | 3.79% | 4.08% | 5.05% | 4.84% | 5.35% | 5.24% |
Frequently Asked Questions
LDSF and XMPT have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
XMPT has higher volatility (1.82%) compared to LDSF (0.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LDSF dropped -8.56% vs XMPT's -35.24%.
On 5-year performance, LDSF leads with 2.41% vs -0.98% for XMPT. On fees, LDSF is cheaper at 0.87% per year. On volatility, LDSF has been the lower-risk option at 0.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, LDSF has performed better with a 2.41% return vs -0.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
LDSF is cheaper with a 0.87% expense ratio, compared with 1.97% for XMPT.
XMPT has the higher dividend yield at 6.23%, compared with 4.63% for LDSF.
LDSF is categorized as Short-Term Bond, while XMPT is High Yield Muni. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.87% for LDSF and 1.97% for XMPT.
LDSF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 1.86), 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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