If you want maximum headline income
→ FTSL
FTSL leads yield (~6.0%) and also leads 1Y total return — income without an obvious total-return penalty in this window.
Two income funds compared side-by-side using the available DivAgent snapshot. See which one fits your yield strategy.
8-second verdict · always free
If you want maximum headline income
→ FTSL
FTSL leads yield (~6.0%) and also leads 1Y total return — income without an obvious total-return penalty in this window.
If you want total return (paid + price)
→ FTSL
FTSL leads 1Y total return (~4.2%) while also leading yield in this pair.
If you need sleep-at-night sizing
→ BIL
BIL is Tier 1 vs Tier 2 — the structurally lower-risk pick in this matchup.
Neither fund currently meets this page's high-yield and NAV-decline screen. That result does not establish distribution sustainability or composition; those require separate issuer evidence.
When the edge flips — yield, total return, or NAV path — we email the updated tape. Plus the free Yield Trap cheat sheet: what high-yield funds actually paid vs what their prices did.
Path A · Still deciding
Related battlesMore BIL and FTSL matchups in the same decision space — different trade-offs.
Path B · Picked a side
Full ticker auditsDeep-dive BIL or FTSL: distribution history, risk tier, peer set.
Audit FTSL →Path C · Want a system
Leaderboard & portfoliosSee how income funds rank by risk tier and matrix cell — then track holdings free.
What this means: BIL is ratedTier 1 (Cornerstone)while FTSL is ratedTier 2 (Yield Plus).BIL is structurally lower risk than FTSL.
| Metric | BIL | FTSL |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 3.34% | 4.19% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | -0.34% | -1.81% |
| Max Drawdown | -0.54% | -3.69% |
| Beta | N/A | N/A |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
BIL (SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF) is listed with SPDR as provider. Reported assets under management: $46.4B.
Observed profile: DivAgent currently reports Tier 1, 3.67% annualized yield, -0.34% 1Y NAV change, and 3.34% 1Y total return. The tier is a risk classification; it does not by itself identify the fund's holdings or strategy.
FTSL (First Trust Senior Loan Fund). Reported assets under management: $2.3B.
Observed profile: DivAgent currently reports Tier 2, 6.00% annualized yield, -1.81% 1Y NAV change, and 4.19% 1Y total return. The tier is a risk classification; it does not by itself identify the fund's holdings or strategy.
In the head-to-head battle of BIL vs FTSL, the choice depends on your specific goal. FTSL leads Immediate Income with a 6.00% yield. FTSL leads 1Y Total Return in the current data.
Compare the reported annualized yield, payout frequency, and DivAgent risk tier.
The Bottom Line Question: If you invest $100,000 today, how much cash will you actually receive each month? Here's the exact math:
BIL
Annual Yield: 3.67%
$306/mo
($3,674/year)
Frequency: monthly
FTSL
Annual Yield: 6.00%
$500/mo
($6,004/year)
Frequency: monthly
Income Gap: FTSL generates $2,330/year more than BIL on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $46,597 in additional cash flow (before reinvestment).
Context Matters: Compare annualized yield with NAV change and total return rather than using the yield figure alone.
Historical data reveals how these funds behave during market stress. FTSL has the higher current 1Y total return at 4.19%.
What is Max Drawdown? Max drawdown measures the largest peak-to-trough decline in portfolio value during a specific period. Unlike NAV change (which only looks at start vs. end), max drawdown captures the worst moment of pain an investor experienced.
Illustrative $100,000 Position
BIL (Smaller Reported Drawdown)
Max Drawdown: -0.54%
-$540
Illustrative peak-to-trough change
FTSL (Larger Reported Drawdown)
Max Drawdown: -3.69%
-$3,690
Illustrative peak-to-trough change
Observed Difference: The reported drawdowns differ by an illustrative $3,150 on a $100k position.
A smaller historical drawdown is one risk observation, not a guarantee of future downside behavior or investor outcomes.
What is an Expense Ratio? The annual fee charged by the fund, expressed as a percentage of assets. It's deducted daily from the fund's NAV, making it invisible to most investors—but it compounds over time.
BIL (LOWER COST)
0.135%
Annual expense ratio
FTSL (HIGHER COST)
0.700%
Annual expense ratio
20-YEAR FEE IMPACT SIMULATION ($100,000 INITIAL INVESTMENT)
The Hidden Cost of "Just 0.56%": That seemingly small difference of 0.565% annually becomes $11,294 in lost wealth over 20 years. Factor in compound growth, and you're giving up ~$31,715 in potential portfolio value.
💡 Cost Efficiency Winner: BIL is the clear winner for long-term buy-and-hold investors. Lower fees mean more capital compounds in YOUR account, not the fund manager's.
Every investor has a unique risk profile. Use our Portfolio Intelligence tool to see the impact of adding these ETFs to your holdings.