VFLO vs. FTLS
VFLO (VictoryShares Free Cash Flow ETF) and FTLS (First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VFLO is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Victory U.S. Large Cap Free Cash Flow Index, while FTLS is a Long-Short fund actively managed by First Trust. VFLO is passively managed, while FTLS is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, VFLO returned 24.37%/yr vs 13.13%/yr for FTLS. Their 0.50 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VFLO charges 0.39%/yr vs 1.38%/yr for FTLS.
Performance
VFLO vs. FTLS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VFLO achieves a 26.80% return, which is significantly higher than FTLS's 6.03% return.
VFLO
- 1D
- 0.24%
- 1M
- 7.67%
- 6M
- 26.51%
- YTD
- 26.80%
- 1Y
- 45.07%
- 3Y*
- 24.37%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 26.75%
FTLS
- 1D
- -0.31%
- 1M
- 1.85%
- 6M
- 4.95%
- YTD
- 6.03%
- 1Y
- 13.39%
- 3Y*
- 13.13%
- 5Y*
- 10.06%
- 10Y*
- 9.59%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.00%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $8.26M | $8.04M | $8.94M | |
| $86.49M | $72.10M | $51.24M |
VFLO vs. FTLS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
VFLO VictoryShares Free Cash Flow ETF | 26.80% | 17.51% | 21.83% | 15.05% |
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF | 6.03% | 9.09% | 18.80% | 8.80% |
Correlation
The correlation between VFLO and FTLS is 0.39, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.39 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.49 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 22, 2023 | 0.50 |
The correlation between VFLO and FTLS shifts across timeframes, from 0.39 (1 year) to 0.50 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VFLO vs. FTLS — Risk / Return Rank
VFLO
FTLS
VFLO vs. FTLS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VictoryShares Free Cash Flow ETF (VFLO) and First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS). 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.
| VFLO | FTLS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.36 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.81 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.52 | 1.28 | +0.23 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 7.03 | 3.55 | +3.48 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 23.62 | 10.80 | +12.82 |
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Drawdowns
VFLO vs. FTLS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VFLO drawdown since its inception was -17.79%, smaller than the maximum FTLS drawdown of -20.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFLO and FTLS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VFLO | FTLS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -17.79% | -20.54% | +2.75% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.44% | -3.79% | -2.65% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.79% | -11.69% | -6.10% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -11.69% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -20.54% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.96% | -0.42% | -0.54% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.43% | -2.67% | +0.24% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.91% | 1.24% | +0.67% |
Volatility
VFLO vs. FTLS - Volatility Comparison
VictoryShares Free Cash Flow ETF (VFLO) has a higher volatility of 4.11% compared to First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) at 2.15%. This indicates that VFLO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTLS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VFLO | FTLS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.11% | 2.15% | +1.96% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.12% | 5.86% | +6.26% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.64% | 8.54% | +7.10% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.98% | 10.53% | +5.45% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.98% | 11.23% | +4.75% |
VFLO vs. FTLS - Expense Ratio Comparison
VFLO has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is lower than FTLS's 1.38% expense ratio.
Dividends
VFLO vs. FTLS - Dividend Comparison
VFLO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.07%, more than FTLS's 0.88% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF | 0.88% | 1.07% | 1.50% | 1.49% | 0.81% | 0.01% | 0.44% | 0.83% | 0.87% | 0.43% | 1.04% | 0.49% |
VFLO VictoryShares Free Cash Flow ETF | 1.07% | 1.60% | 1.20% | 0.71% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VFLO and FTLS have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VFLO has higher volatility (4.11%) compared to FTLS (2.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFLO dropped -17.79% vs FTLS's -20.54%.
On 3-year performance, VFLO leads with 24.37% vs 13.13% for FTLS. On fees, VFLO is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, FTLS has been the lower-risk option at 2.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, VFLO has performed better with a 24.37% return vs 13.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VFLO is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 1.38% for FTLS.
VFLO has the higher dividend yield at 1.07%, compared with 0.88% for FTLS.
VFLO is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while FTLS is Long-Short. They also come from different issuers: Victory and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for VFLO and 1.38% for FTLS.
VFLO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 1.57), 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.
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