LODI vs. LDSF

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

LODI (AAM SLC Low Duration Income ETF) and LDSF (First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, LODI returned 5.83% vs 4.84% for LDSF. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. LODI charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.87%/yr for LDSF.

Performance

LODI vs. LDSF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AAM SLC Low Duration Income ETF (LODI) and First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF (LDSF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LODI achieves a 1.87% return, which is significantly higher than LDSF's 0.84% return.

LODI

• 1D: -0.00%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: 1.87%
• 6M: 2.30%
• 1Y: 5.83%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

LDSF

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.15%
• YTD: 0.84%
• 6M: 1.21%
• 1Y: 4.84%
• 3Y*: 5.37%
• 5Y*: 2.40%
• 10Y*: —

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

LODI vs. LDSF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
LODI AAM SLC Low Duration Income ETF	1.87%	6.04%	0.26%
LDSF First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF	0.84%	6.82%	-0.57%

Correlation

The correlation between LODI and LDSF is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 5, 2024	0.39

Return for Risk

LODI vs. LDSF — Risk / Return Rank

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

LODI

LODI Risk / Return Rank: 88
LODI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
LODI Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
LODI Omega Ratio Rank: 92
LODI Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
LODI Martin Ratio Rank: 90

LDSF

LDSF Risk / Return Rank: 72
LDSF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
LDSF Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
LDSF Omega Ratio Rank: 82
LDSF Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
LDSF Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

LODI vs. LDSF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AAM SLC Low Duration Income ETF (LODI) and First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF (LDSF). 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.

	LODI	LDSF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.44	2.38	+0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.69	3.63	+0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.61	1.49	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.82	2.79	+5.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.31	11.88	+8.43
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LODI vs. LDSF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LODI Sharpe Ratio is 2.44, which is comparable to the LDSF Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LODI and LDSF, 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

	LODI	LDSF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.44	2.38	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.78	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.37	0.81	+1.55

Drawdowns

LODI vs. LDSF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LODI drawdown since its inception was -1.01%, smaller than the maximum LDSF drawdown of -8.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LODI and LDSF.

Drawdown Indicators

	LODI	LDSF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.01%	-8.56%	+7.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.75%	-1.74%	+0.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-1.74%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-7.83%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	-0.16%	+0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.21%	-1.46%	+1.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.29%	0.41%	-0.12%

Volatility

LODI vs. LDSF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AAM SLC Low Duration Income ETF (LODI) is 0.31%, while First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF (LDSF) has a volatility of 0.70%. This indicates that LODI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LDSF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LODI	LDSF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.31%	0.70%	-0.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.08%	1.66%	-0.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.40%	2.06%	+0.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.34%	3.08%	-0.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.34%	3.18%	-0.84%

LODI vs. LDSF - Expense Ratio Comparison

LODI has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than LDSF's 0.87% expense ratio.

Dividends

LODI vs. LDSF - Dividend Comparison

LODI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.96%, more than LDSF's 4.63% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
LDSF First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF	4.63%	4.52%	4.53%	4.08%	2.61%	1.97%	2.65%	3.06%
LODI AAM SLC Low Duration Income ETF	4.96%	5.11%	0.38%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LODI and LDSF in my portfolio?

LODI and LDSF have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LODI or LDSF?

LDSF has higher volatility (0.70%) compared to LODI (0.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LODI dropped -1.01% vs LDSF's -8.56%.

Which ETF is better, LODI or LDSF?

On 1-year performance, LODI leads with 5.83% vs 4.84% for LDSF. On fees, LODI is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, LODI has been the lower-risk option at 0.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LODI or LDSF?

Over the 1-year period, LODI has performed better with a 5.83% return vs 4.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LODI or LDSF?

LODI is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.87% for LDSF.

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

LODI has the higher dividend yield at 4.96%, compared with 4.63% for LDSF.

What is the main difference between LODI and LDSF?

They also come from different issuers: AAM and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for LODI and 0.87% for LDSF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LODI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 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.