SEIX vs. FTSL
SEIX (Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF) and FTSL (First Trust Senior Loan Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - SEIX is a Bank Loan fund tracking the Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index, while FTSL is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust. SEIX is passively managed, while FTSL is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, SEIX returned 5.75%/yr vs 5.02%/yr for FTSL. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SEIX charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for FTSL.
Performance
SEIX vs. FTSL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SEIX achieves a 2.09% return, which is significantly higher than FTSL's 0.62% return.
SEIX
- 1D
- -0.06%
- 1M
- 0.33%
- YTD
- 2.09%
- 6M
- 2.81%
- 1Y
- 6.07%
- 3Y*
- 8.17%
- 5Y*
- 5.75%
- 10Y*
- —
FTSL
- 1D
- -0.02%
- 1M
- 0.20%
- YTD
- 0.62%
- 6M
- 0.99%
- 1Y
- 4.53%
- 3Y*
- 7.34%
- 5Y*
- 5.02%
- 10Y*
- 4.45%
SEIX vs. FTSL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SEIX Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF | 2.09% | 5.10% | 8.42% | 12.51% | -1.77% | 5.49% | 3.17% | 3.46% |
FTSL First Trust Senior Loan Fund | 0.62% | 5.98% | 8.27% | 11.58% | -2.50% | 3.94% | 2.99% | 3.23% |
Correlation
The correlation between SEIX and FTSL is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.40 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.33 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 26, 2019 | 0.28 |
The correlation between SEIX and FTSL shifts across timeframes, from 0.28 (all time) to 0.40 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
SEIX vs. FTSL — Risk / Return Rank
SEIX
FTSL
SEIX vs. FTSL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF (SEIX) and First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL). 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.
| SEIX | FTSL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.63 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.81 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.86 | 1.51 | +0.35 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 5.39 | 1.95 | +3.44 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 21.57 | 7.25 | +14.32 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| SEIX | FTSL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.79 | 2.15 | +1.63 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 1.97 | 1.50 | +0.47 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.86 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.24 | 0.85 | +0.39 |
Drawdowns
SEIX vs. FTSL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SEIX drawdown since its inception was -17.51%, smaller than the maximum FTSL drawdown of -22.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEIX and FTSL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SEIX | FTSL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -17.51% | -22.67% | +5.16% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.13% | -2.33% | +1.20% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -3.01% | -2.66% | -0.35% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -6.69% | -6.96% | +0.27% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -22.67% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.06% | -0.03% | -0.03% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.87% | -0.76% | -0.11% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.28% | 0.63% | -0.35% |
Volatility
SEIX vs. FTSL - Volatility Comparison
Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF (SEIX) and First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL) have volatilities of 0.35% and 0.36%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SEIX | FTSL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.35% | 0.36% | -0.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.28% | 1.95% | -0.67% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.61% | 2.11% | -0.50% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.93% | 3.35% | -0.42% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.34% | 5.19% | -0.85% |
SEIX vs. FTSL - Expense Ratio Comparison
SEIX has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is lower than FTSL's 0.86% expense ratio.
Dividends
SEIX vs. FTSL - Dividend Comparison
SEIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.25%, more than FTSL's 6.46% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTSL First Trust Senior Loan Fund | 6.46% | 6.59% | 7.56% | 7.59% | 4.77% | 3.17% | 3.48% | 4.44% | 4.29% | 3.64% | 3.70% | 3.95% |
SEIX Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF | 7.25% | 7.52% | 8.09% | 8.74% | 5.76% | 4.16% | 3.75% | 3.82% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SEIX and FTSL have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FTSL has higher volatility (0.36%) compared to SEIX (0.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEIX dropped -17.51% vs FTSL's -22.67%.
On 5-year performance, SEIX leads with 5.75% vs 5.02% for FTSL. On fees, SEIX is cheaper at 0.57% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, SEIX has performed better with a 5.75% return vs 5.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SEIX is cheaper with a 0.57% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for FTSL.
SEIX has the higher dividend yield at 7.25%, compared with 6.46% for FTSL.
SEIX is categorized as Bank Loan, while FTSL is High Yield Bonds. They also come from different issuers: Virtus and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for SEIX and 0.86% for FTSL.
SEIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.79 vs 2.15), 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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