VYM vs. FTSL
VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) and FTSL (First Trust Senior Loan Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, while FTSL is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust. VYM is passively managed, while FTSL is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VYM returned 11.95%/yr vs 4.44%/yr for FTSL. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VYM charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for FTSL.
Performance
VYM vs. FTSL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VYM achieves a 12.37% return, which is significantly higher than FTSL's 0.51% return. Over the past 10 years, VYM has outperformed FTSL with an annualized return of 11.95%, while FTSL has yielded a comparatively lower 4.44% annualized return.
VYM
- 1D
- 0.80%
- 1M
- 1.97%
- YTD
- 12.37%
- 6M
- 11.19%
- 1Y
- 25.94%
- 3Y*
- 18.06%
- 5Y*
- 11.59%
- 10Y*
- 11.95%
FTSL
- 1D
- -0.04%
- 1M
- -0.10%
- YTD
- 0.51%
- 6M
- 0.66%
- 1Y
- 4.27%
- 3Y*
- 7.06%
- 5Y*
- 4.95%
- 10Y*
- 4.44%
VYM vs. FTSL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 12.37% | 15.42% | 17.60% | 6.57% | -0.43% | 26.20% | 1.15% | 24.06% | -5.92% | 16.42% |
FTSL First Trust Senior Loan Fund | 0.51% | 5.98% | 8.27% | 11.58% | -2.50% | 3.94% | 2.99% | 10.11% | -1.30% | 2.59% |
Correlation
The correlation between VYM and FTSL is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.39 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.45 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.46 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 2, 2013 | 0.33 |
The correlation between VYM and FTSL shifts across timeframes, from 0.33 (all time) to 0.46 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VYM vs. FTSL — Risk / Return Rank
VYM
FTSL
VYM vs. FTSL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) 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.
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.
| VYM | FTSL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.33 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.19 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.47 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.70 | 1.85 | +1.85 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.81 | 6.88 | +6.93 |
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Drawdowns
VYM vs. FTSL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VYM drawdown since its inception was -56.98%, which is greater than FTSL's maximum drawdown of -22.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VYM and FTSL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VYM | FTSL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -56.98% | -22.67% | -34.31% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.69% | -2.33% | -4.36% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.46% | -2.66% | -11.80% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.84% | -6.96% | -8.88% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.21% | -22.67% | -12.54% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.52% | -0.14% | -0.38% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.18% | -0.76% | -6.42% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.80% | 0.63% | +1.17% |
Volatility
VYM vs. FTSL - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) has a higher volatility of 3.31% compared to First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL) at 0.36%. This indicates that VYM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTSL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VYM | FTSL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.31% | 0.36% | +2.95% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.81% | 1.95% | +5.86% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.47% | 2.11% | +8.36% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.99% | 3.35% | +10.64% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.35% | 5.18% | +11.17% |
VYM vs. FTSL - Expense Ratio Comparison
VYM has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than FTSL's 0.86% expense ratio.
Dividends
VYM vs. FTSL - Dividend Comparison
VYM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.19%, less than FTSL's 6.47% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTSL First Trust Senior Loan Fund | 6.47% | 6.59% | 7.56% | 7.59% | 4.77% | 3.17% | 3.48% | 4.44% | 4.29% | 3.64% | 3.70% | 3.95% |
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 2.19% | 2.44% | 2.74% | 3.12% | 3.01% | 2.76% | 3.18% | 3.03% | 3.40% | 2.80% | 2.91% | 3.22% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VYM and FTSL 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.
VYM has higher volatility (3.31%) compared to FTSL (0.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VYM dropped -56.98% vs FTSL's -22.67%.
On 10-year performance, VYM leads with 11.95% vs 4.44% for FTSL. On fees, VYM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, FTSL has been the lower-risk option at 0.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VYM has performed better with a 11.95% return vs 4.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VYM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for FTSL.
FTSL has the higher dividend yield at 6.47%, compared with 2.19% for VYM.
VYM is categorized as Dividend, while FTSL is High Yield Bonds. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VYM and 0.86% for FTSL.
VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 2.04), 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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