PTIN vs. HISF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PTIN (Pacer Trendpilot International ETF) and HISF (First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. PTIN is passively managed, while HISF is actively managed. Over the past year, PTIN returned 33.04% vs 5.74% for HISF. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PTIN charges 0.66%/yr vs 0.87%/yr for HISF.

Performance

PTIN vs. HISF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Trendpilot International ETF (PTIN) and First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PTIN achieves a 16.79% return, which is significantly higher than HISF's 0.03% return.

PTIN

• 1D: -0.77%
• 1M: 6.96%
• YTD: 16.79%
• 6M: 19.03%
• 1Y: 33.04%
• 3Y*: 13.60%
• 5Y*: 6.48%
• 10Y*: —

HISF

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 0.26%
• YTD: 0.03%
• 6M: 0.23%
• 1Y: 5.74%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PTIN vs. HISF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PTIN Pacer Trendpilot International ETF	16.79%	16.17%	1.52%
HISF First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF	0.03%	8.39%	3.30%

Correlation

The correlation between PTIN and HISF is 0.54, 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	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 29, 2024	0.41

The correlation between PTIN and HISF shifts across timeframes, from 0.41 (all time) to 0.54 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PTIN vs. HISF — Risk / Return Rank

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

PTIN

PTIN Risk / Return Rank: 60
PTIN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
PTIN Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
PTIN Omega Ratio Rank: 60
PTIN Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
PTIN Martin Ratio Rank: 62

HISF

HISF Risk / Return Rank: 48
HISF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
HISF Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
HISF Omega Ratio Rank: 52
HISF Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
HISF Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

PTIN vs. HISF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Trendpilot International ETF (PTIN) and First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF). 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.

	PTIN	HISF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	1.74	+0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.80	2.55	+0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.32	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.88	1.99	+0.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.99	7.21	+3.78
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PTIN vs. HISF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PTIN Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is comparable to the HISF Sharpe Ratio of 1.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PTIN and HISF, 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

	PTIN	HISF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.04	1.74	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	1.31	-0.79

Drawdowns

PTIN vs. HISF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PTIN drawdown since its inception was -21.27%, which is greater than HISF's maximum drawdown of -3.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTIN and HISF.

Drawdown Indicators

	PTIN	HISF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.27%	-3.86%	-17.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.55%	-2.90%	-8.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.93%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.27%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.77%	-1.20%	+0.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.68%	-0.89%	-6.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.02%	0.80%	+2.22%

Volatility

PTIN vs. HISF - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Trendpilot International ETF (PTIN) has a higher volatility of 5.75% compared to First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF) at 1.21%. This indicates that PTIN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HISF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PTIN	HISF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.75%	1.21%	+4.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.85%	2.61%	+11.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.27%	3.32%	+12.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.39%	3.95%	+10.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.90%	3.95%	+9.95%

PTIN vs. HISF - Expense Ratio Comparison

PTIN has a 0.66% expense ratio, which is lower than HISF's 0.87% expense ratio.

Dividends

PTIN vs. HISF - Dividend Comparison

PTIN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.17%, less than HISF's 5.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
HISF First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF	5.00%	4.69%	3.92%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PTIN Pacer Trendpilot International ETF	2.17%	2.53%	2.67%	2.09%	0.41%	2.38%	0.77%	0.97%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PTIN and HISF in my portfolio?

PTIN and HISF have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PTIN or HISF?

PTIN has higher volatility (5.75%) compared to HISF (1.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTIN dropped -21.27% vs HISF's -3.86%.

Which ETF is better, PTIN or HISF?

On 1-year performance, PTIN leads with 33.04% vs 5.74% for HISF. On fees, PTIN is cheaper at 0.66% per year. On volatility, HISF has been the lower-risk option at 1.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PTIN or HISF?

Over the 1-year period, PTIN has performed better with a 33.04% return vs 5.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PTIN or HISF?

PTIN is cheaper with a 0.66% expense ratio, compared with 0.87% for HISF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PTIN or HISF?

HISF has the higher dividend yield at 5.00%, compared with 2.17% for PTIN.

What is the main difference between PTIN and HISF?

They also come from different issuers: Pacer and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.66% for PTIN and 0.87% for HISF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PTIN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.04 vs 1.74), 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.