UPSD vs. FLXR

Last updated Jul 30, 2026

UPSD (Aptus Large Cap Upside ETF) and FLXR (TCW Flexible Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - UPSD is a Actively Managed fund actively managed by Aptus, while FLXR is a Multisector Bonds fund actively managed by TCW. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, UPSD returned 14.81% vs 4.41% for FLXR. Their 0.32 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. UPSD charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for FLXR.

Performance

UPSD vs. FLXR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Aptus Large Cap Upside ETF (UPSD) and TCW Flexible Income ETF (FLXR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UPSD achieves a 7.32% return, which is significantly higher than FLXR's 1.33% return.

UPSD

• 1D: -1.51%
• 1M: 2.03%
• 6M: 4.32%
• YTD: 7.32%
• 1Y: 14.81%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.90%

FLXR

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: -0.41%
• 6M: 0.97%
• YTD: 1.33%
• 1Y: 4.41%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 6.75%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FLXR TCW Flexible Income ETF	$13.36M	$16.28M	$17.08M
UPSD Aptus Large Cap Upside ETF	$285.86K	$253.51K	$392.48K

UPSD vs. FLXR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
UPSD Aptus Large Cap Upside ETF	7.32%	12.83%	-4.67%
FLXR TCW Flexible Income ETF	1.33%	8.37%	0.40%

Correlation

The correlation between UPSD and FLXR is 0.44, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 21, 2024	0.32

The correlation between UPSD and FLXR shifts across timeframes, from 0.32 (all time) to 0.44 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

UPSD vs. FLXR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

UPSD

UPSD Risk / Return Rank: 42
UPSD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
UPSD Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
UPSD Omega Ratio Rank: 42
UPSD Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
UPSD Martin Ratio Rank: 46

FLXR

FLXR Risk / Return Rank: 83
FLXR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
FLXR Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
FLXR Omega Ratio Rank: 82
FLXR Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
FLXR Martin Ratio Rank: 86

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

UPSD vs. FLXR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Aptus Large Cap Upside ETF (UPSD) and TCW Flexible Income ETF (FLXR). 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.

	UPSD	FLXR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.03	1.90	-0.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.45	2.76	-1.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.35	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.25	3.03	-1.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.91	12.42	-7.52

UPSD vs. FLXR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UPSD Sharpe Ratio is 1.03, which is lower than the FLXR Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UPSD and FLXR, 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

UPSD vs. FLXR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UPSD drawdown since its inception was -23.85%, which is greater than FLXR's maximum drawdown of -1.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UPSD and FLXR.

Drawdown Indicators

	UPSD	FLXR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.85%	-1.94%	-21.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.91%	-1.46%	-10.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.51%	-0.43%	-1.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.70%	-0.35%	-3.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.03%	0.36%	+2.67%

Volatility

UPSD vs. FLXR - Volatility Comparison

Aptus Large Cap Upside ETF (UPSD) has a higher volatility of 3.11% compared to TCW Flexible Income ETF (FLXR) at 0.66%. This indicates that UPSD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FLXR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UPSD	FLXR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.11%	0.66%	+2.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.70%	1.84%	+8.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.45%	2.35%	+12.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.59%	2.79%	+17.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.59%	2.79%	+17.80%

UPSD vs. FLXR - Expense Ratio Comparison

UPSD has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than FLXR's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

UPSD vs. FLXR - Dividend Comparison

UPSD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.67%, less than FLXR's 5.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
FLXR TCW Flexible Income ETF	5.91%	5.66%	3.44%
UPSD Aptus Large Cap Upside ETF	0.67%	0.67%	0.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UPSD and FLXR in my portfolio?

UPSD and FLXR have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UPSD or FLXR?

UPSD has higher volatility (3.11%) compared to FLXR (0.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UPSD dropped -23.85% vs FLXR's -1.94%.

Which ETF is better, UPSD or FLXR?

On 1-year performance, UPSD leads with 14.81% vs 4.41% for FLXR. On fees, FLXR is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, FLXR has been the lower-risk option at 0.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UPSD or FLXR?

Over the 1-year period, UPSD has performed better with a 14.81% return vs 4.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UPSD or FLXR?

FLXR is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for UPSD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, UPSD or FLXR?

FLXR has the higher dividend yield at 5.91%, compared with 0.67% for UPSD.

What is the main difference between UPSD and FLXR?

UPSD is categorized as Actively Managed, while FLXR is Multisector Bonds. They also come from different issuers: Aptus and TCW. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for UPSD and 0.40% for FLXR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FLXR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.03), 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.