UCON vs. JFLX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

UCON (First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF) and JFLX (JPMorgan Flexible Debt ETF) are both Nontraditional Bonds funds. Both are actively managed. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. UCON charges 0.86%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for JFLX.

Performance

UCON vs. JFLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF (UCON) and JPMorgan Flexible Debt ETF (JFLX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UCON achieves a 0.58% return, which is significantly lower than JFLX's 1.82% return.

UCON

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: 0.38%
• YTD: 0.58%
• 6M: 0.66%
• 1Y: 5.50%
• 3Y*: 5.68%
• 5Y*: 2.76%
• 10Y*: —

JFLX

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.87%
• YTD: 1.82%
• 6M: 2.04%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

UCON vs. JFLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
UCON First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF	0.58%	1.20%
JFLX JPMorgan Flexible Debt ETF	1.82%	1.26%

Correlation

The correlation between UCON and JFLX is 0.66, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2025	0.66

Return for Risk

UCON vs. JFLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

UCON

UCON Risk / Return Rank: 52
UCON Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
UCON Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
UCON Omega Ratio Rank: 56
UCON Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
UCON Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

UCON vs. JFLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF (UCON) and JPMorgan Flexible Debt ETF (JFLX). 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.

	UCON	JFLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.65	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.25	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.74	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	UCON	JFLX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.85	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	1.79	-1.16

Drawdowns

UCON vs. JFLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UCON drawdown since its inception was -15.31%, which is greater than JFLX's maximum drawdown of -2.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UCON and JFLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	UCON	JFLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.31%	-2.36%	-12.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.45%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.85%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.60%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.61%	-0.14%	-0.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.48%	-0.40%	-1.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.63%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	UCON	JFLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.14%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.33%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.98%	2.59%	+0.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.89%	2.59%	+1.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.89%	2.59%	+3.30%

UCON vs. JFLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

UCON has a 0.86% expense ratio, which is higher than JFLX's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

UCON vs. JFLX - Dividend Comparison

UCON's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.67%, more than JFLX's 3.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
JFLX JPMorgan Flexible Debt ETF	3.28%	1.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
UCON First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF	4.67%	4.63%	4.95%	4.75%	3.12%	2.20%	3.14%	3.25%	1.76%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UCON and JFLX in my portfolio?

UCON and JFLX have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, UCON or JFLX?

On fees, JFLX is cheaper at 0.45% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, UCON or JFLX?

JFLX is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for UCON.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, UCON or JFLX?

UCON has the higher dividend yield at 4.67%, compared with 3.28% for JFLX.

What is the main difference between UCON and JFLX?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and JPMorgan. Their fees differ too: 0.86% for UCON and 0.45% for JFLX.