SJNK vs. FTSL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SJNK (SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Short Term High Yield Bond ETF) and FTSL (First Trust Senior Loan Fund) are both High Yield Bonds funds. SJNK is passively managed, while FTSL is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, SJNK returned 5.51%/yr vs 4.45%/yr for FTSL. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SJNK charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for FTSL.

Performance

SJNK vs. FTSL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Short Term High Yield Bond ETF (SJNK) and First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SJNK achieves a 1.41% return, which is significantly higher than FTSL's 0.62% return. Over the past 10 years, SJNK has outperformed FTSL with an annualized return of 5.51%, while FTSL has yielded a comparatively lower 4.45% annualized return.

SJNK

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: 1.41%
• 6M: 1.87%
• 1Y: 6.45%
• 3Y*: 8.21%
• 5Y*: 4.84%
• 10Y*: 5.51%

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%

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

SJNK vs. FTSL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SJNK SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Short Term High Yield Bond ETF	1.41%	7.68%	8.24%	11.63%	-5.50%	5.06%	5.82%	9.49%	-0.27%	5.27%
FTSL First Trust Senior Loan Fund	0.62%	5.98%	8.27%	11.58%	-2.50%	3.94%	2.99%	10.11%	-1.30%	2.59%

Correlation

The correlation between SJNK and FTSL is 0.50, 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	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.56
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 3, 2013	0.43

The correlation between SJNK and FTSL shifts across timeframes, from 0.43 (all time) to 0.56 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SJNK vs. FTSL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SJNK	FTSL
Communication Services	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	100.0%
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

SJNK vs. FTSL — Risk / Return Rank

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

SJNK

SJNK Risk / Return Rank: 69
SJNK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
SJNK Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SJNK Omega Ratio Rank: 64
SJNK Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
SJNK Martin Ratio Rank: 81

FTSL

FTSL Risk / Return Rank: 60
FTSL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
FTSL Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
FTSL Omega Ratio Rank: 83
FTSL Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
FTSL 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.

SJNK vs. FTSL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Short Term High Yield Bond ETF (SJNK) 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.

	SJNK	FTSL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.02	2.15	-0.13
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.09	3.35	-0.26
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.51	-0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.74	1.95	+1.79
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.21	7.25	+8.96
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SJNK vs. FTSL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SJNK Sharpe Ratio is 2.02, which is comparable to the FTSL Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SJNK and FTSL, 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

	SJNK	FTSL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.02	2.15	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83	1.50	-0.67
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.86	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.85	-0.05

Drawdowns

SJNK vs. FTSL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SJNK drawdown since its inception was -19.74%, smaller than the maximum FTSL drawdown of -22.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SJNK and FTSL.

Drawdown Indicators

	SJNK	FTSL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.74%	-22.67%	+2.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.73%	-2.33%	+0.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.77%	-2.66%	-2.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.18%	-6.96%	-3.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.74%	-22.67%	+2.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.19%	-0.03%	-0.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.63%	-0.76%	-0.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.40%	0.63%	-0.23%

Volatility

SJNK vs. FTSL - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Short Term High Yield Bond ETF (SJNK) has a higher volatility of 0.91% compared to First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL) at 0.36%. This indicates that SJNK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTSL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SJNK	FTSL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.91%	0.36%	+0.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.45%	1.95%	+0.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.20%	2.11%	+1.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.83%	3.35%	+2.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.49%	5.19%	+1.30%

SJNK vs. FTSL - Expense Ratio Comparison

SJNK has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than FTSL's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

SJNK vs. FTSL - Dividend Comparison

SJNK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.02%, 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%
SJNK SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Short Term High Yield Bond ETF	7.02%	7.12%	7.47%	7.20%	5.85%	4.21%	5.34%	5.64%	5.69%	5.64%	5.65%	5.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SJNK and FTSL in my portfolio?

SJNK and FTSL have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SJNK or FTSL?

SJNK has higher volatility (0.91%) compared to FTSL (0.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SJNK dropped -19.74% vs FTSL's -22.67%.

Which ETF is better, SJNK or FTSL?

On 10-year performance, SJNK leads with 5.51% vs 4.45% for FTSL. On fees, SJNK is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, FTSL has been the lower-risk option at 0.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SJNK or FTSL?

Over the 10-year period, SJNK has performed better with a 5.51% return vs 4.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SJNK or FTSL?

SJNK is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for FTSL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SJNK or FTSL?

SJNK has the higher dividend yield at 7.02%, compared with 6.46% for FTSL.

What is the main difference between SJNK and FTSL?

They also come from different issuers: State Street and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for SJNK and 0.86% for FTSL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTSL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 2.02), 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.