First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) is a ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FTLS returned +15.54% while VTI returned +24.16%. Year to date, FTLS is up 7.28% versus a gain of 14.20% for VTI.

Over three years, FTLS compounded at +13.51% per year against +21.12% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +10.29% and +12.37% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, FTLS has the edge at +8.63% annualized vs +8.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 8.7% 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 -20.5% for FTLS and -56.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

FTLS charges 1.38% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $138 vs $3 annually, a gap of $135 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTLS currently yields 0.90% against 1.07% for VTI.