LDSF Performance — First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF
Data updated: 2026-07-22
LDSF returned +0.89% year to date and +5.30% over one year to May 2026. Annualised returns are +5.34% over 3 years and +2.43% over 5 years. Against its Short-Term Core Bond category average the fund came out behind over three years but ahead over one: $100 invested three years ago grew to $117, against $119 for the category, and to $105 over one year, against $105. Volatility over the past three years was 2.75% a year. In the 12 months to May 2026 the fund took in a net $38.2M, and assets reached $162.07M.
LDSF Growth of $100
What $100 invested in First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF grew to, compounded from monthly returns reported on SEC Form N-PORT, against the Short-Term Core Bond category average over the same months.
| Period | LDSF | Category average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year (Jun 2025 – May 2026) | $105 | $105 |
| 3 years (Jun 2023 – May 2026) | $117 | $119 |
| 5 years (Jun 2021 – May 2026) | $113 | $113 |
| Since data start (Sep 2019 – May 2026) | $117 | $121 |
LDSF Trailing Returns
Total returns to May 2026, from SEC N-PORT.
| Period | Total return |
|---|---|
| YTD | +0.89% |
| 1 year | +5.30% |
| 3 years (annualised) | +5.34% |
| 5 years (annualised) | +2.43% |
LDSF Annual Returns
Calendar-year total returns of First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF, compounded from monthly SEC N-PORT returns. Partial years show the months covered.
| Year | Total return |
|---|---|
| 2026 (Jan–May) | +0.89% |
| 2025 | +6.70% |
| 2024 | +4.16% |
| 2023 | +6.60% |
| 2022 | −5.28% |
| 2021 | −0.33% |
| 2020 | +2.35% |
| 2019 (Sep–Dec) | +1.01% |
LDSF Monthly Returns
Monthly total returns as reported on SEC Form N-PORT.
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +0.4% | +0.4% | −1.0% | +0.7% | +0.4% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2025 | +0.5% | +0.9% | +0.1% | +0.5% | +0.2% | +1.1% | +0.1% | +1.1% | +0.6% | +0.4% | +0.5% | +0.4% |
| 2024 | +0.3% | −0.4% | +0.6% | −0.9% | +1.1% | +0.6% | +1.6% | +1.0% | +1.1% | −1.2% | +0.9% | −0.4% |
| 2023 | +1.7% | −0.8% | +1.1% | +0.5% | −0.2% | 0.0% | +0.4% | +0.3% | −0.7% | −0.5% | +2.7% | +1.9% |
| 2022 | −0.5% | −0.5% | −1.0% | −1.3% | −0.3% | −1.9% | +1.9% | −0.8% | −2.3% | 0.0% | +1.5% | −0.1% |
| 2021 | +0.1% | −0.3% | −0.3% | +0.4% | +0.2% | +0.1% | 0.0% | +0.1% | −0.2% | −0.2% | −0.4% | +0.2% |
| 2020 | +0.7% | +0.1% | −4.2% | +2.1% | +1.1% | +0.4% | +1.1% | −0.1% | −0.1% | −0.1% | +1.1% | +0.3% |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | +0.3% | +0.1% | +0.3% | +0.4% |
LDSF Risk
Risk measures from monthly returns over Jun 2023 – May 2026.
- 3-year volatility (annualised): 2.75%
- 3-year Sharpe ratio: 0.31 (vs 4.5% risk-free rate)
- Best month: +2.66% (Nov 2023)
- Worst month: −1.24% (Oct 2024)
LDSF Fund Flows
Monthly money in and out of First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF, from SEC Form N-PORT.
- 12-month net flow: $38.2M
- 12-month gross sales (incl. reinvestments): $45.8M
- Sales ÷ redemptions: 6.03×
| Month | Sales | Redemptions | Net flow |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | $1.9M | $0 | $1.9M |
| Apr 2026 | $0 | $1.9M | −$1.9M |
| Mar 2026 | $4.7M | $0 | $4.7M |
| Feb 2026 | $6.7M | $957K | $5.8M |
| Jan 2026 | $7.7M | $0 | $7.7M |
| Dec 2025 | $5.7M | $0 | $5.7M |
| Nov 2025 | $3.8M | $0 | $3.8M |
| Oct 2025 | $3.8M | $959K | $2.9M |
| Sep 2025 | $3.8M | $0 | $3.8M |
| Aug 2025 | $950K | $0 | $950K |
| Jul 2025 | $0 | $3.8M | −$3.8M |
| Jun 2025 | $6.6M | $0 | $6.6M |
LDSF Assets Under Management
Net assets of First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF by report date, from SEC N-PORT filings.
| Report date | Net assets |
|---|---|
| 2026-05-31 | $162.07M |
| 2026-02-28 | $159.13M |
| 2025-11-30 | $139.83M |
| 2025-08-31 | $128.78M |
| 2025-05-31 | $123.50M |
| 2025-02-28 | $117.31M |
| 2024-11-30 | $131.61M |
| 2024-08-31 | $153.15M |
| 2024-05-31 | $147.35M |
| 2024-02-29 | $106.66M |
| 2023-11-30 | $123.55M |
| 2023-08-31 | $137.11M |
For information only. Not investment advice: figures are as reported in SEC filings and may contain errors or be out of date. Past performance does not guarantee future results.