A side-by-side comparison of First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF) and Astoria Dynamic Core US Fixed Income ETF (AGGA) 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 | AGGA |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -3.26% | -1.44%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | +0.23%✓ | +0.12% |
| 1-Week Change | +0.10%✓ | +0.08% |
| 1-Month Change | -3.05% | -1.53%✓ |
| Current Price | $42.41 | $24.42 |
| AUM | $95M | $99M✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.87% | — |
| Dividend Yield | 5.31%✓ | 4.30% |
| Distribution Frequency | — | — |
| Inception Date | 2014-08-13 | 2025-04-30 |
| Holdings Count | 11 | 16 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★ | — |
| Category | Multisector Bond | Multisector Bond |
| Beta | 0.90 | 0.00 |
| 52-Week High | $44.15 | $25.18 |
| 52-Week Low | $42.15 | $24.34 |
| 50-Day MA | $43.54 | $24.79 |
| 200-Day MA | $44.43 | $25.09 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | HISF | AGGA |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -3.26% | -1.44%✓ |
| 1 Year | -1.58% | +0.06%✓ |
| 3 Year | +4.61% | — |
| 5 Year | +1.23% | — |
| 10 Year | +2.67% | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 4.07% | 2.47% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.02 | — |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | FTCB | First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund IV | 28.01% |
| 2 | HYLS | First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF | 12.00% |
| 3 | FIIG | First Trust Intermediate Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF | 10.00% |
| 4 | LMBS | First Trust Low Duration Opportunities ETF | 9.99% |
| 5 | LGOV | First Trust Long Duration Opportunities ETF | 7.00% |
| 6 | FTSL | First Trust Senior Loan Fund | 6.99% |
| 7 | FIXD | First Trust TCW Opportunistic Fixed Income ETF | 6.00% |
| 8 | FPE | First Trust Preferred Securities and Income ETF | 5.01% |
| 9 | SCIO | First Trust Structured Credit Income Opportunities ETF | 5.00% |
| 10 | FSIG | First Trust Limited Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF | 5.00% |
| 1 | XSVN | Bondbloxx ETF Trust - BondBloxx Bloomberg Seven Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF | 11.88% |
| 2 | XTEN | Bondbloxx ETF Trust - BondBloxx Bloomberg Ten Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF | 10.51% |
| 3 | ACYN | FT Vest Laddered Autocallable Barrier & Income ETF | 10.02% |
| 4 | SST_old | SPDR Blmbg Barclays ST Treasury ETF | 9.97% |
| 5 | PYLD | PIMCO ETF Trust - PIMCO Multisector Bond Active Exchange-Traded Fund | 8.90% |
| 6 | JAAA | Janus Detroit Street Trust - Janus Henderson AAA CLO ETF | 7.15% |
| 7 | XONE | Bondbloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF | 7.03% |
| 8 | JPHY_old | JPMorgan High Yield Research Enhanced ETF | 6.91% |
| 9 | FLRN | SPDR® Bloomberg Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF | 5.12% |
| 10 | CJNK | SPDR ICE BofAML Broad High Yield Bond ETF | 4.92% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | HISF | AGGA |
|---|---|---|
| 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 AGGA
The fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund ("ETF") that seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in other U.S. fixed income ETFs. Under normal circumstances, the fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of borrowing for investment purposes) directly or indirectly in U.S. fixed income securities. The fund is non-diversified.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both HISF and AGGA 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, AGGA 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 AGGA?
HISF (First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF) and AGGA (Astoria Dynamic Core US Fixed Income ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($95M vs $99M), dividend yield (5.31% vs 4.30%), and year-to-date performance (-3.26% vs -1.44%).
Is HISF better than AGGA?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise dividends, compare both yields and choose based on your income needs. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy HISF and AGGA on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both HISF and AGGA should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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