VGHY vs. FTSL

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard High-Yield Active ETF (VGHY) and First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL).

VGHY and FTSL are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VGHY is an actively managed fund by Vanguard. It was launched on Sep 16, 2025. FTSL is an actively managed fund by First Trust. It was launched on May 1, 2013.

Performance

VGHY vs. FTSL - Performance Comparison

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

VGHY vs. FTSL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VGHY Vanguard High-Yield Active ETF	-0.05%	1.80%
FTSL First Trust Senior Loan Fund	-0.69%	1.74%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGHY achieves a -0.05% return, which is significantly higher than FTSL's -0.69% return.

VGHY

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: -0.78%
• YTD: -0.05%
• 6M: 1.49%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FTSL

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 1.04%
• YTD: -0.69%
• 6M: 0.98%
• 1Y: 4.82%
• 3Y*: 7.14%
• 5Y*: 4.89%
• 10Y*: 4.50%

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

VGHY vs. FTSL - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGHY has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is lower than FTSL's 0.86% expense ratio.

FTSL

First Trust Senior Loan Fund

VGHY

Vanguard High-Yield Active ETF

Return for Risk

VGHY 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: 78
FTSL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
FTSL Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
FTSL Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FTSL Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
FTSL Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

VGHY vs. FTSL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard High-Yield Active ETF (VGHY) 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

	VGHY	FTSL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.56	—
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	0.74	0.83	-0.09

Correlation

The correlation between VGHY and FTSL is 0.51, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

VGHY vs. FTSL - Dividend Comparison

VGHY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.00%, less than FTSL's 6.58% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VGHY Vanguard High-Yield Active ETF	3.00%	1.49%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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

VGHY vs. FTSL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGHY drawdown since its inception was -2.66%, smaller than the maximum FTSL drawdown of -22.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGHY and FTSL.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGHY	FTSL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.66%	-22.67%	+20.01%
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	-1.20%	-1.13%	-0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.45%	-0.77%	+0.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.65%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VGHY	FTSL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	1.36%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	1.91%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.46%	3.11%	+1.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.46%	3.36%	+1.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.46%	5.19%	-0.73%