FTSL vs SLNZ
First Trust Senior Loan Fund compared with TCW Senior Loan ETF on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
FTSL
First Trust Senior Loan Fund
TTM yield · Monthly
SLNZ
TCW Senior Loan ETF
TTM yield · Monthly
Quick take
- SLNZ yields more today: 7.31% vs 6.31% (forward).
- Both pay every month.
- Over the last year SLNZ delivered the higher total return: +3.3% vs +2.7% (price change plus payouts).
- SLNZ is cheaper to own: 0.65% vs 0.70% expense ratio.
- FTSL has the steadier distribution: consistency 97/100 vs 87/100.
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | FTSL | SLNZ |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $44.30 | $45.26 |
| TTM yield | 6.31% | 7.31% |
| Forward yield | 6.31% | 7.31% |
| Annual payout per share | $2.795 | $3.31 |
| Payment frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Next ex-date | Nov 20, 2026 (est.) | Oct 31, 2026 (est.) |
| Expense ratio | 0.70% | 0.65% |
| 1-year payout growth | — | — |
| 5-year payout CAGR | — | — |
| Consecutive years of increases | — | — |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 97/100 | 87/100 |
| 1-year total return | +2.7% | +3.3% |
| 1-year price return | -3.4% | -3.8% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 2.4B | 225.3M |
| Years paying | 13.4 | 1.9 |
| Sector / category | Bank Loan | Bank Loan |
✓ marks the more favourable figure where one exists (higher yield, growth, streak, consistency, return and size; lower cost, payout ratio and risk).
$10,000 invested today
| FTSL | SLNZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 225.7 | 220.9 |
| Income per year | $631 | $731 |
| Income per month (avg) | $53 | $61 |
At forward yields, before taxes. Model FTSL · Model SLNZ
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| FTSL Nov 20, 2026 | Nov 28, 2026 | $0.2329 | Est. |
| FTSL Dec 20, 2026 | Dec 28, 2026 | $0.2329 | Est. |
| FTSL Jan 19, 2027 | Jan 27, 2027 | $0.2329 | Est. |
| SLNZ Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | $0.2758 | Est. |
| SLNZ Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 | $0.2758 | Est. |
| SLNZ Dec 30, 2026 | Jan 13, 2027 | $0.2758 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
FTSLSLNZ
Regular payments only; the current year is year to date. Per-share amounts are not directly comparable when share prices differ, so read this chart for growth trends.
FAQ
Which has the higher dividend yield, FTSL or SLNZ?
SLNZ currently has the higher trailing yield: FTSL yields 6.31% and SLNZ yields 7.31%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do FTSL and SLNZ pay?
FTSL pays every month and SLNZ pays every month. FTSL's next ex-date is Nov 20, 2026 and SLNZ's is Oct 31, 2026.
Is FTSL or SLNZ better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. FTSL and SLNZ differ in yield, growth, payment schedule and risk profile; the table above puts every metric side by side so you can weigh them for your own goals. This page is data, not advice.