SIXH vs. FTHI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SIXH (6 Meridian Hedged Equity-Index Option Strategy ETF) and FTHI (First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SIXH is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund actively managed by Exchange Traded Concepts, while FTHI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, SIXH returned 8.95%/yr vs 10.17%/yr for FTHI. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SIXH charges 0.87%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for FTHI.

Performance

SIXH vs. FTHI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in 6 Meridian Hedged Equity-Index Option Strategy ETF (SIXH) and First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF (FTHI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SIXH achieves a 7.20% return, which is significantly higher than FTHI's 4.79% return.

SIXH

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: -0.21%
• YTD: 7.20%
• 6M: 8.70%
• 1Y: 10.61%
• 3Y*: 12.22%
• 5Y*: 8.95%
• 10Y*: —

FTHI

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 1.75%
• YTD: 4.79%
• 6M: 5.22%
• 1Y: 16.43%
• 3Y*: 14.50%
• 5Y*: 10.17%
• 10Y*: 8.54%

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

SIXH vs. FTHI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
SIXH 6 Meridian Hedged Equity-Index Option Strategy ETF	7.20%	9.47%	12.06%	4.93%	6.90%	18.37%	5.83%
FTHI First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF	4.79%	11.03%	19.02%	20.72%	-4.37%	13.95%	10.64%

Correlation

The correlation between SIXH and FTHI is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.30
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 12, 2020	0.48

Over the past year, the correlation between SIXH and FTHI has dropped to 0.18 - well below their long-term average of 0.48, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

SIXH vs. FTHI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SIXH	FTHI
Consumer Defensive	23.2%	7.5%
Technology	20.2%	11.4%
Communication Services	13.3%	5.0%
Healthcare	12.6%	8.5%
Financial Services	9.7%	15.4%
Industrials	7.8%	13.9%
Consumer Cyclical	6.8%	7.5%
Utilities	5.0%	10.0%
Real Estate	1.4%	7.0%
Energy	0.1%	7.0%
Basic Materials	0.1%	5.0%

Return for Risk

SIXH vs. FTHI — Risk / Return Rank

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

SIXH

SIXH Risk / Return Rank: 42
SIXH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
SIXH Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
SIXH Omega Ratio Rank: 38
SIXH Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
SIXH Martin Ratio Rank: 39

FTHI

FTHI Risk / Return Rank: 59
FTHI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
FTHI Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
FTHI Omega Ratio Rank: 57
FTHI Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
FTHI Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

SIXH vs. FTHI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for 6 Meridian Hedged Equity-Index Option Strategy ETF (SIXH) and First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF (FTHI). 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.

	SIXH	FTHI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.40	1.87	-0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.18	2.71	-0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.36	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.44	3.02	-0.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.25	13.19	-6.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SIXH vs. FTHI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SIXH Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is comparable to the FTHI Sharpe Ratio of 1.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SIXH and FTHI, 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

	SIXH	FTHI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.40	1.87	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87	0.76	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.60	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.05	0.53	+0.52

Drawdowns

SIXH vs. FTHI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SIXH drawdown since its inception was -11.68%, smaller than the maximum FTHI drawdown of -32.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SIXH and FTHI.

Drawdown Indicators

	SIXH	FTHI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.68%	-32.65%	+20.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.36%	-5.47%	+1.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.10%	-15.92%	+6.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.68%	-16.70%	+5.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-32.65%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.42%	-0.17%	-2.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.85%	-3.68%	+1.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.70%	1.25%	+0.45%

Volatility

SIXH vs. FTHI - Volatility Comparison

6 Meridian Hedged Equity-Index Option Strategy ETF (SIXH) has a higher volatility of 2.31% compared to First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF (FTHI) at 1.67%. This indicates that SIXH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTHI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SIXH	FTHI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.31%	1.67%	+0.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.02%	7.05%	-1.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.60%	8.81%	-1.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.37%	13.44%	-3.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.15%	14.33%	-4.18%

SIXH vs. FTHI - Expense Ratio Comparison

SIXH has a 0.87% expense ratio, which is higher than FTHI's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

SIXH vs. FTHI - Dividend Comparison

SIXH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.90%, less than FTHI's 8.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTHI First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF	8.73%	8.70%	8.61%	8.50%	9.06%	4.37%	4.76%	4.21%	4.76%	4.00%	4.41%	4.98%
SIXH 6 Meridian Hedged Equity-Index Option Strategy ETF	1.90%	2.23%	1.55%	2.04%	2.06%	1.65%	1.10%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SIXH and FTHI in my portfolio?

SIXH and FTHI have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SIXH or FTHI?

SIXH has higher volatility (2.31%) compared to FTHI (1.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SIXH dropped -11.68% vs FTHI's -32.65%.

Which ETF is better, SIXH or FTHI?

On 5-year performance, FTHI leads with 10.17% vs 8.95% for SIXH. On fees, FTHI is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, FTHI has been the lower-risk option at 1.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SIXH or FTHI?

Over the 5-year period, FTHI has performed better with a 10.17% return vs 8.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SIXH or FTHI?

FTHI is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.87% for SIXH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SIXH or FTHI?

FTHI has the higher dividend yield at 8.73%, compared with 1.90% for SIXH.

What is the main difference between SIXH and FTHI?

SIXH is categorized as Volatility Hedged Equity, while FTHI is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: Exchange Traded Concepts and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.87% for SIXH and 0.85% for FTHI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTHI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 1.40), 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.