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First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF (HYLS)



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Upturn Advisory Summary
08/14/2025: HYLS (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit 14.65% | Avg. Invested days 87 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Star Rating ![]() ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance ![]() | ETF Returns Performance ![]() |
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Key Highlights
Volume (30-day avg) - | Beta 0.84 | 52 Weeks Range 38.12 - 41.80 | Updated Date 06/29/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 38.12 - 41.80 | Updated Date 06/29/2025 |
Upturn AI SWOT
First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF
ETF Overview
Overview
The First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF (HYLS) seeks to provide current income. It invests in a portfolio of high-yield corporate debt securities and may tactically adjust its exposure based on market conditions.
Reputation and Reliability
First Trust is a well-established ETF provider with a solid reputation for innovation and performance.
Management Expertise
First Trust has a seasoned management team with extensive experience in fixed income and ETF management.
Investment Objective
Goal
Seeks to provide current income.
Investment Approach and Strategy
Strategy: The ETF employs a tactical approach to high-yield bond investing, actively managing its portfolio based on market conditions and credit opportunities.
Composition The ETF primarily holds high-yield corporate debt securities (bonds).
Market Position
Market Share: Insufficient information to determine exact market share.
Total Net Assets (AUM): 1527000000
Competitors
Key Competitors
- SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF (JNK)
- iShares iBoxx High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG)
- VanEck High Yield Muni ETF (HYD)
- PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index ETF (HYS)
Competitive Landscape
The high-yield bond ETF market is competitive, dominated by JNK and HYG. HYLS differentiates itself through its tactical approach, potentially offering advantages in certain market environments but adding complexity. Competitors like HYD focus on municipal bonds, providing tax advantages but potentially different risk/return profiles. HYS focuses on shorter maturity bonds.
Financial Performance
Historical Performance: Historical performance data should be obtained from financial data providers and is not available here.
Benchmark Comparison: Benchmark comparison requires historical performance data and a suitable benchmark index, which is unavailable here.
Expense Ratio: 0.85
Liquidity
Average Trading Volume
The ETF exhibits reasonable liquidity, indicated by its average trading volume.
Bid-Ask Spread
The bid-ask spread can vary, but it is generally competitive for actively traded ETFs like HYLS.
Market Dynamics
Market Environment Factors
Economic growth, interest rates, credit spreads, and investor sentiment all influence HYLS's performance. High-yield bonds are sensitive to economic conditions and credit risk.
Growth Trajectory
Growth depends on management's ability to tactically position the portfolio and the overall health of the high-yield market. Changes in interest rate policy and credit spreads can impact future growth.
Moat and Competitive Advantages
Competitive Edge
HYLS's tactical management approach is its primary competitive advantage, allowing it to potentially outperform passively managed high-yield ETFs by adjusting its portfolio based on market conditions. The fund's active management seeks to exploit market inefficiencies and mitigate risks. This tactical flexibility may offer benefits during periods of market volatility or economic uncertainty. First Trust's reputation also provides an advantage. However, the success of this strategy depends heavily on the skill of the fund's managers.
Risk Analysis
Volatility
High-yield bonds are generally more volatile than investment-grade bonds. HYLS's volatility will reflect the overall volatility of the high-yield market and the success of its tactical management.
Market Risk
HYLS is exposed to market risk, including interest rate risk, credit risk, and liquidity risk. A downturn in the economy or a rise in interest rates could negatively impact the ETF's performance.
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
HYLS is suitable for investors seeking current income and willing to accept a higher level of risk compared to investment-grade bonds. It may appeal to those who believe active management can add value in the high-yield market.
Market Risk
HYLS may be suitable for both long-term investors and active traders, depending on their investment goals and risk tolerance. It is not a passive index follower.
Summary
First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF (HYLS) offers exposure to high-yield corporate bonds with a tactical management approach. This strategy aims to provide current income and potentially outperform passive high-yield ETFs. HYLS is suitable for investors with higher risk tolerance who believe in active management's potential. Its performance depends on the fund managers' skill and the overall health of the high-yield market. However, it faces competition from larger, more liquid ETFs like JNK and HYG.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- First Trust website
- ETF.com
- Morningstar
Disclaimers:
The data provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investment decisions should be based on individual circumstances and after consultation with a qualified financial advisor.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF
Exchange NASDAQ | Headquaters - | ||
IPO Launch date - | CEO - | ||
Sector - | Industry - | Full time employees - | Website |
Full time employees - | Website |
Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in high yield debt securities that are rated below investment grade at the time of purchase or unrated securities deemed by the fund's advisor to be of comparable quality.

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