ALTY vs FTLS
Global X Alternative Income ETF vs First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF
Which is better, ALTY or FTLS?
FTLS has been ahead.
ALTY has a lower expense ratio. FTLS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | ALTY | FTLS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50%Best | 1.38% |
| AUM | $45M | $2.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.94% | 0.87% |
| Holdings | 67 | 1,036 |
| YTD Return | +2.20% | +6.90%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.17% | +6.94%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.15% | +12.39%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.35% | +9.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1% | 8.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -60.1% | -20.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,373 | $15,499Best |
| Fund Family | Global X by mirae Asset | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Jul 13, 2015 | Sep 8, 2014 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 14, 2015 to Nov 13, 2026 (11.3 years).
ALTY vs FTLS growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 11.3 years both funds cover.
ALTY vs FTLS Performance
Global X Alternative Income ETF (ALTY) is an ETF from Global X by mirae Asset and First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year ALTY returned +4.17% while FTLS returned +6.94%. Year to date, ALTY is up 2.20% versus a gain of 6.90% for FTLS.
Over three years, ALTY compounded at +10.15% per year against +12.39% for FTLS; over five years the annualized figures are +4.35% and +9.16% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, FTLS has the edge at +8.11% annualized vs +1.35%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ALTY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 8.8% for FTLS. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -60.1% for ALTY and -20.5% for FTLS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ALTY charges 0.50% per year while FTLS charges 1.38%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $138 annually, a gap of $88 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ALTY currently yields 7.94% against 0.87% for FTLS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 17 holdings in ALTY and 510 in FTLS, totalling 39.9% and 93.7% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 2 positions appear in both.
2 positions in common, counted across the 17 positions we hold weights for in ALTY and 510 in FTLS, against full books of 67 and 1,036.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ALTY and FTLS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ALTY or FTLS?
ALTY has an expense ratio of 0.50% while FTLS charges 1.38%. ALTY is the cheaper option, by $88 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ALTY or FTLS?
Over the past year ALTY returned +4.17% vs +6.94% for FTLS, so FTLS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), ALTY annualized +1.35% vs +8.11% for FTLS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ALTY or FTLS?
ALTY has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 8.8% for FTLS. Worst drawdown: ALTY -60.1% vs FTLS -20.5%.
Should I hold both ALTY and FTLS?
ALTY and FTLS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, ALTY or FTLS?
ALTY yields 7.94% while FTLS yields 0.87%, so ALTY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is FTLS better than ALTY?
ALTY has a lower expense ratio. FTLS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.