Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: Both FPE and FTSL fall intoTier 2: Yield Plus. This suggests they share a similar risk profile and volatility expectation.
| Metric | FPE | FTSL |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 10.46% | 5.99% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 2.46% | -0.35% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.54% | -3.69% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
FPE (First Trust Preferred Securities & Income) is a conservative dividend growth fund managed by FirstTrust. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $6.4B 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.
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 FPE vs FTSL, the choice depends on your specific goal. FPE wins for Immediate Income with a 8.00% yield. However, FPE 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:
FPE
Annual Yield: 8.00%
$667/mo
($8,000/year)
Frequency: monthly
FTSL
Annual Yield: 6.34%
$528/mo
($6,341/year)
Frequency: monthly
Income Gap: FPE generates $1,659/year more than FTSL on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $33,184 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. FPE has delivered a superior Total Return of 10.46% over the past year.
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.
Real-World Scenario: $100,000 Investment
FTSL (More Resilient)
Max Drawdown: -3.69%
-$3,690
Worst unrealized loss
FPE (More Volatile)
Max Drawdown: -8.54%
-$8,540
Worst unrealized loss
Protection Value: FTSL saved investors $4,850 in drawdown severity on a $100k position.
Why This Matters More Than Total Return: During bear markets or corrections, investors with lower max drawdown are:
⚖️ Capital Preservation Winner: FTSL demonstrated superior downside protection, making it the better choice for retirees who cannot afford steep temporary losses.
Every investor has a unique risk profile. Use our Portfolio Intelligence tool to see the impact of adding these ETFs to your holdings.