TSLX vs. CEFD

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

TSLX (Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc.) is a stock, while CEFD (ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN) is fund fund tracking the S-Network Composite Closed-End Fund Index (150%). Over the past 5 years, TSLX returned 4.02%/yr vs 3.26%/yr for CEFD. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

TSLX vs. CEFD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc. (TSLX) and ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN (CEFD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TSLX achieves a -16.64% return, which is significantly lower than CEFD's 8.50% return.

TSLX

• 1D: 3.12%
• 1M: 4.31%
• 6M: -17.18%
• YTD: -16.64%
• 1Y: -22.33%
• 3Y*: 6.76%
• 5Y*: 4.02%
• 10Y*: 10.93%

CEFD

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 2.64%
• 6M: 6.63%
• YTD: 8.50%
• 1Y: 15.26%
• 3Y*: 15.20%
• 5Y*: 3.26%
• 10Y*: —

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

TSLX vs. CEFD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
TSLX Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc.	-16.64%	11.52%	8.83%	35.29%	-16.37%	32.33%	21.12%
CEFD ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN	8.50%	14.15%	20.06%	8.36%	-28.93%	22.09%	23.01%

Correlation

The correlation between TSLX and CEFD is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.37
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 3, 2020	0.47

Over the past year, the correlation between TSLX and CEFD has dropped to 0.24 - well below their long-term average of 0.47, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

TSLX vs. CEFD — Risk / Return Rank

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

TSLX

TSLX Risk / Return Rank: 11
TSLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
TSLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
TSLX Omega Ratio Rank: 12
TSLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
TSLX Martin Ratio Rank: 11

CEFD

CEFD Risk / Return Rank: 37
CEFD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
CEFD Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
CEFD Omega Ratio Rank: 40
CEFD Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
CEFD Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

TSLX vs. CEFD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc. (TSLX) and ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN (CEFD). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	TSLX	CEFD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.88	1.09	-1.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.14	1.60	-2.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.86	1.22	-0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.77	1.17	-1.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.34	5.37	-6.70

TSLX vs. CEFD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TSLX Sharpe Ratio is -0.88, which is lower than the CEFD Sharpe Ratio of 1.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TSLX and CEFD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

TSLX vs. CEFD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TSLX drawdown since its inception was -50.27%, which is greater than CEFD's maximum drawdown of -36.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TSLX and CEFD.

Drawdown Indicators

	TSLX	CEFD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.27%	-36.95%	-13.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-29.05%	-12.51%	-16.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.05%	-21.76%	-7.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.05%	-36.95%	+7.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.27%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.71%	-0.63%	-24.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.20%	-11.55%	+2.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.65%	2.73%	+13.92%

Volatility

TSLX vs. CEFD - Volatility Comparison

Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc. (TSLX) has a higher volatility of 7.56% compared to ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN (CEFD) at 4.01%. This indicates that TSLX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CEFD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TSLX	CEFD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.56%	4.01%	+3.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.45%	11.96%	+9.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.28%	13.44%	+11.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.56%	18.02%	+1.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.56%	17.27%	+4.29%

Dividends

TSLX vs. CEFD - Dividend Comparison

TSLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.99%, less than CEFD's 14.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CEFD ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN	14.43%	14.88%	13.90%	14.76%	16.56%	10.31%	5.37%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
TSLX Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc.	10.99%	9.44%	9.81%	9.72%	10.34%	15.35%	11.08%	8.43%	9.84%	8.84%	8.35%	9.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TSLX and CEFD in my portfolio?

TSLX and CEFD have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TSLX or CEFD?

TSLX has higher volatility (7.56%) compared to CEFD (4.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TSLX dropped -50.27% vs CEFD's -36.95%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CEFD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.09 vs -0.88), 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.