A side-by-side comparison of First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF) and VictoryShares Pioneer Asset-Based Income ETF (ABI) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | HISF | ABI |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -3.26%✓ | -45.83% |
| 1-Day Change | +0.23%✓ | -99.74% |
| 1-Week Change | +0.10%✓ | -99.73% |
| 1-Month Change | -3.05%✓ | -99.74% |
| Current Price | $42.41 | $0.07 |
| AUM | $95M | $525M✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.87% | — |
| Dividend Yield | 5.31% | 6.41%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | — | — |
| Inception Date | 2014-08-13 | 2025-06-25 |
| Holdings Count | 11 | 1 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★ | — |
| Category | Multisector Bond | Multisector Bond |
| Beta | 0.90 | 0.00 |
| 52-Week High | $44.15 | $24.72 |
| 52-Week Low | $42.15 | $23.50 |
| 50-Day MA | $43.54 | $24.71 |
| 200-Day MA | $44.43 | $24.84 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | HISF | ABI |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -3.26%✓ | -45.83% |
| 1 Year | -1.58% | +4.40%✓ |
| 3 Year | +4.61% | — |
| 5 Year | +1.23% | — |
| 10 Year | +2.67% | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 4.07% | 1.38% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.02 | — |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Sector Weights
| Sector | HISF | ABI |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 0.00% |
About HISF
Under normal market conditions, the fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing in a portfolio of U.S.-listed ETFs that is designed to follow the High Income Model developed by the advisor. The fund, through its investments in the underlying ETFs comprising the High Income Model, seeks to provide investors with a diversified income stream by holding a blend of fixed income assets that are actively managed to seek levels of high income and total return.
About ABI
Under normal circumstances, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in various U.S. dollar-denominated asset-based income investments. Asset-based income investments include, but are not limited to, securitized assets, such as ABS, including private and multi-class structures, pass-through certificates, residual certificates, and other instruments secured by financial, physical, and/or intangible assets.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both HISF and ABI are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, ABI scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between HISF and ABI?
HISF (First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF) and ABI (VictoryShares Pioneer Asset-Based Income ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($95M vs $525M), dividend yield (5.31% vs 6.41%), and year-to-date performance (-3.26% vs -45.83%).
Is HISF better than ABI?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, HISF has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy HISF and ABI on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both HISF and ABI should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
7 stocks to buy and hold forever
Complement your ETF portfolio with these proven long-term individual stocks.
Get the FREE Report