Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: Both BKLN and FTSL fall intoTier 2: Yield Plus. This suggests they share a similar risk profile and volatility expectation.
| Metric | BKLN | FTSL |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 5.58% | 5.99% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | -0.38% | -0.35% |
| Max Drawdown | -4.55% | -3.69% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
BKLN (Invesco Senior Loan ETF) is a conservative dividend growth fund managed by Invesco. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $6.9B in assets under management, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Focuses on quality dividend-paying companies with strong balance sheets and consistent payout histories.
FTSL (First Trust Senior Loan Fund) is a conservative dividend growth fund managed by First. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $2.4B in assets under management, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Focuses on quality dividend-paying companies with strong balance sheets and consistent payout histories.
In the head-to-head battle of BKLN vs FTSL, the choice depends on your specific goal. FTSL wins for Immediate Income with a 6.34% yield. However, FTSL is the better choice for Long-Term Growth due to superior total return performance.
Which fund is safer for retirement income? We analyze the yield sustainability and structural risk.
The Bottom Line Question: If you invest $100,000 today, how much cash will you actually receive each month? Here's the exact math:
BKLN
Annual Yield: 5.96%
$497/mo
($5,959/year)
Frequency: monthly
FTSL
Annual Yield: 6.34%
$528/mo
($6,341/year)
Frequency: monthly
Income Gap: FTSL generates $381/year more than BKLN on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $7,626 in additional cash flow (before reinvestment).
Context Matters: Higher income doesn't always mean better investment. Review the "Yield Trap" and "Total Return" sections above—you want income that's sustainable, not just headline-grabbing.
Historical data reveals how these funds behave during market stress. FTSL has delivered a superior Total Return of 5.99% over the past year.
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.
BKLN (LOWER COST)
0.650%
Annual expense ratio
FTSL (HIGHER COST)
0.860%
Annual expense ratio
20-YEAR FEE IMPACT SIMULATION ($100,000 INITIAL INVESTMENT)
The Hidden Cost of "Just 0.21%": That seemingly small difference of 0.210% annually becomes $4,200 in lost wealth over 20 years. Factor in compound growth, and you're giving up ~$11,094 in potential portfolio value.
💡 Cost Efficiency Winner: BKLN 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.