SNLN vs. FTSL

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Highland iBoxx Senior Loan ETF (SNLN) and First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL).

SNLN and FTSL are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. SNLN is a passively managed fund by Highland Capital Management that tracks the performance of the Markit iBoxx USD Liquid Leveraged Loan Index. It was launched on Nov 8, 2012. FTSL is an actively managed fund by First Trust. It was launched on May 1, 2013.

Performance

SNLN vs. FTSL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Highland iBoxx Senior Loan ETF (SNLN) and First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

SNLN vs. FTSL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SNLN Highland iBoxx Senior Loan ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	5.84%	-3.76%	2.05%	-5.73%	7.03%	-0.95%	1.66%
FTSL First Trust Senior Loan Fund	-0.80%	5.98%	8.27%	11.58%	-2.50%	3.94%	2.99%	10.11%	-1.30%	2.59%

Returns By Period

SNLN

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FTSL

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 1.11%
• YTD: -0.80%
• 6M: 0.87%
• 1Y: 4.68%
• 3Y*: 7.10%
• 5Y*: 4.87%
• 10Y*: 4.48%

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

SNLN vs. FTSL - Expense Ratio Comparison

SNLN has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than FTSL's 0.86% expense ratio.

FTSL

First Trust Senior Loan Fund

SNLN

Highland iBoxx Senior Loan ETF

Return for Risk

SNLN vs. FTSL — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTSL

FTSL Risk / Return Rank: 80
FTSL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
FTSL Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
FTSL Omega Ratio Rank: 93
FTSL Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
FTSL Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

SNLN vs. FTSL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Highland iBoxx Senior Loan ETF (SNLN) 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SNLN	FTSL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.51	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.46	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	—	0.83	—

Correlation

The correlation between SNLN and FTSL is 0.28, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.

Dividends

SNLN vs. FTSL - Dividend Comparison

SNLN has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FTSL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.58%.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SNLN Highland iBoxx Senior Loan ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	5.50%	4.88%	2.83%	3.21%	4.72%	5.03%	4.75%	4.36%	4.36%
FTSL First Trust Senior Loan Fund	6.58%	6.59%	7.56%	7.59%	4.77%	3.17%	3.48%	4.44%	4.29%	3.64%	3.70%	3.95%

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	SNLN	FTSL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	—	-22.67%	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-2.33%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-6.96%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.67%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	—	-1.24%	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	—	-0.77%	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.65%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SNLN	FTSL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	1.37%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	1.90%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	3.11%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	3.36%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	5.19%	—