YYY vs. HISF

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

YYY (Amplify CEF High Income ETF) and HISF (First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. YYY is passively managed, while HISF is actively managed. Over the past year, YYY returned 12.04% vs 5.36% for HISF. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. YYY charges 3.23%/yr vs 0.87%/yr for HISF.

Performance

YYY vs. HISF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Amplify CEF High Income ETF (YYY) and First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, YYY achieves a 4.37% return, which is significantly higher than HISF's 0.14% return.

YYY

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: -0.18%
• YTD: 4.37%
• 6M: 4.10%
• 1Y: 12.04%
• 3Y*: 12.73%
• 5Y*: 3.03%
• 10Y*: 5.59%

HISF

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.23%
• YTD: 0.14%
• 6M: 0.49%
• 1Y: 5.36%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

YYY vs. HISF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
YYY Amplify CEF High Income ETF	4.37%	13.08%	8.31%
HISF First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF	0.14%	8.39%	3.30%

Correlation

The correlation between YYY and HISF is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 29, 2024	0.42

Return for Risk

YYY vs. HISF — Risk / Return Rank

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

YYY

YYY Risk / Return Rank: 39
YYY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
YYY Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
YYY Omega Ratio Rank: 43
YYY Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
YYY Martin Ratio Rank: 42

HISF

HISF Risk / Return Rank: 45
HISF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
HISF Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
HISF Omega Ratio Rank: 49
HISF Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
HISF Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

YYY vs. HISF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Amplify CEF High Income ETF (YYY) and First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF). 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.

	YYY	HISF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.41	1.63	-0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.03	2.39	-0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.30	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.50	1.86	-0.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.61	6.71	-0.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

YYY vs. HISF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YYY Sharpe Ratio is 1.41, which is comparable to the HISF Sharpe Ratio of 1.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of YYY and HISF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	YYY	HISF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.41	1.63	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	1.32	-0.89

Drawdowns

YYY vs. HISF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum YYY drawdown since its inception was -42.52%, which is greater than HISF's maximum drawdown of -3.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YYY and HISF.

Drawdown Indicators

	YYY	HISF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.52%	-3.86%	-38.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.07%	-2.90%	-5.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.47%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.92%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.52%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.38%	-1.09%	-0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.84%	-0.89%	-5.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.82%	0.80%	+1.02%

Volatility

YYY vs. HISF - Volatility Comparison

Amplify CEF High Income ETF (YYY) has a higher volatility of 2.50% compared to First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF) at 1.21%. This indicates that YYY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HISF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	YYY	HISF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.50%	1.21%	+1.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.09%	2.60%	+4.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.56%	3.32%	+5.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.36%	3.95%	+7.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.90%	3.95%	+9.95%

YYY vs. HISF - Expense Ratio Comparison

YYY has a 3.23% expense ratio, which is higher than HISF's 0.87% expense ratio.

Dividends

YYY vs. HISF - Dividend Comparison

YYY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.63%, more than HISF's 5.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HISF First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF	5.00%	4.69%	3.92%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
YYY Amplify CEF High Income ETF	12.63%	12.51%	12.50%	12.39%	12.36%	9.08%	9.79%	9.10%	9.73%	8.16%	10.34%	10.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both YYY and HISF in my portfolio?

YYY and HISF have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, YYY or HISF?

YYY has higher volatility (2.50%) compared to HISF (1.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YYY dropped -42.52% vs HISF's -3.86%.

Which ETF is better, YYY or HISF?

On 1-year performance, YYY leads with 12.04% vs 5.36% for HISF. On fees, HISF is cheaper at 0.87% per year. On volatility, HISF has been the lower-risk option at 1.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, YYY or HISF?

Over the 1-year period, YYY has performed better with a 12.04% return vs 5.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, YYY or HISF?

HISF is cheaper with a 0.87% expense ratio, compared with 3.23% for YYY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, YYY or HISF?

YYY has the higher dividend yield at 12.63%, compared with 5.00% for HISF.

What is the main difference between YYY and HISF?

They also come from different issuers: Amplify and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 3.23% for YYY and 0.87% for HISF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HISF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.63 vs 1.41), 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.