LFEQ vs. FTLS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LFEQ (VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF) and FTLS (First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LFEQ is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Ned Davis Research CMG US Large Cap Long/Flat Index - USD, while FTLS is a Long-Short fund actively managed by First Trust. LFEQ is passively managed, while FTLS is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, LFEQ returned 9.91%/yr vs 10.27%/yr for FTLS. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LFEQ charges 0.58%/yr vs 1.60%/yr for FTLS.

Performance

LFEQ vs. FTLS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF (LFEQ) 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, LFEQ achieves a 10.63% return, which is significantly higher than FTLS's 5.34% return.

LFEQ

• 1D: -0.61%
• 1M: 5.08%
• YTD: 10.63%
• 6M: 10.69%
• 1Y: 27.35%
• 3Y*: 18.29%
• 5Y*: 9.91%
• 10Y*: —

FTLS

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 2.01%
• YTD: 5.34%
• 6M: 5.22%
• 1Y: 14.27%
• 3Y*: 14.31%
• 5Y*: 10.27%
• 10Y*: 9.83%

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

LFEQ vs. FTLS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LFEQ VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF	10.63%	10.49%	24.30%	19.66%	-22.05%	27.97%	17.56%	24.07%	-5.55%	5.27%
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF	5.34%	9.09%	18.80%	16.94%	-5.56%	19.65%	2.56%	16.16%	-4.81%	4.70%

Correlation

The correlation between LFEQ 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	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 6, 2017	0.77

The correlation between LFEQ and FTLS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

LFEQ vs. FTLS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LFEQ	FTLS
Technology	33.6%	26.9%
Financial Services	12.2%	19.9%
Communication Services	10.5%	6.1%
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	9.5%
Healthcare	9.5%	8.4%
Industrials	8.5%	7.6%
Consumer Defensive	5.3%	6.5%
Energy	4.0%	7.3%
Utilities	2.6%	0.9%
Real Estate	2.0%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.9%	5.1%

Return for Risk

LFEQ vs. FTLS — Risk / Return Rank

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

LFEQ

LFEQ Risk / Return Rank: 69
LFEQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
LFEQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
LFEQ Omega Ratio Rank: 69
LFEQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
LFEQ Martin Ratio Rank: 75

FTLS

FTLS Risk / Return Rank: 58
FTLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
FTLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
FTLS Omega Ratio Rank: 50
FTLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
FTLS Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

LFEQ vs. FTLS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF (LFEQ) 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.

	LFEQ	FTLS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.30	1.75	+0.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.16	2.56	+0.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.32	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	3.79	-0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.08	11.78	+2.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LFEQ vs. FTLS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LFEQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is higher than the FTLS Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LFEQ 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	LFEQ	FTLS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.30	1.75	+0.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.98	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.81	-0.13

Drawdowns

LFEQ vs. FTLS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LFEQ drawdown since its inception was -35.19%, which is greater than FTLS's maximum drawdown of -20.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LFEQ and FTLS.

Drawdown Indicators

	LFEQ	FTLS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.19%	-20.54%	-14.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.98%	-3.79%	-5.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.97%	-11.69%	-7.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.55%	-11.69%	-13.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-20.54%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.61%	-0.03%	-0.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.16%	-2.69%	-3.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	1.21%	+0.74%

Volatility

LFEQ vs. FTLS - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF (LFEQ) has a higher volatility of 2.90% compared to First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) at 1.81%. This indicates that LFEQ'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

	LFEQ	FTLS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.90%	1.81%	+1.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.09%	5.65%	+3.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.98%	8.18%	+3.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.36%	10.55%	+3.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.58%	11.30%	+6.28%

LFEQ vs. FTLS - Expense Ratio Comparison

LFEQ has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is lower than FTLS's 1.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

LFEQ vs. FTLS - Dividend Comparison

LFEQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.82%, less than FTLS's 0.90% yield.

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%
LFEQ VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF	0.82%	0.90%	0.74%	1.56%	1.19%	0.37%	2.06%	1.45%	1.07%	0.79%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LFEQ and FTLS in my portfolio?

LFEQ 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, LFEQ or FTLS?

LFEQ has higher volatility (2.90%) compared to FTLS (1.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LFEQ dropped -35.19% vs FTLS's -20.54%.

Which ETF is better, LFEQ or FTLS?

On 5-year performance, FTLS leads with 10.27% vs 9.91% for LFEQ. On fees, LFEQ is cheaper at 0.58% per year. On volatility, FTLS has been the lower-risk option at 1.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LFEQ or FTLS?

Over the 5-year period, FTLS has performed better with a 10.27% return vs 9.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LFEQ or FTLS?

LFEQ is cheaper with a 0.58% expense ratio, compared with 1.60% for FTLS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LFEQ or FTLS?

FTLS has the higher dividend yield at 0.90%, compared with 0.82% for LFEQ.

What is the main difference between LFEQ and FTLS?

LFEQ is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while FTLS is Long-Short. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for LFEQ and 1.60% for FTLS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LFEQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 vs 1.75), 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.