FTSL Distribution History & Yield

First Trust Senior Loan Fund · NasdaqGM

ETF Bank Loan Monthly payer Bond fundHigh yield
$44.92
-0.11% today
as of Sep 8, 2026
TTM yield
6.31%
$2.835/share over the last 12 months
Forward yield
6.31%
$2.835/share indicated annual rate
Annual distribution
$2.835
per share, forward
Per payment
$0.2362
per share, every month
Frequency
Monthly
12 payments a year
Next ex-distribution date
Sep 20, 2026 Estimated
in 12 days
Next pay date
Sep 28, 2026
in 20 days
Last ex-distribution date
Aug 21, 2026
$0.225 per share
Expense ratio
0.70%
AUM 2.4B
Consistency
97/100
very stable payouts
5y distribution CAGR
+13.3%
annualised, regular payments
Growth streak
0 yrs
no current streak
Years paying
13.3
since May 21, 2013
1y total return
+3.9%
price -2.3% + distributions 6.2%

Upcoming distribution payments

Ex-datePay datePer sharePer 100 sharesStatus
Sun, Sep 20, 2026 (in 12 days) Sep 28, 2026 $0.2362 $23.62 Estimated
Tue, Oct 20, 2026 (in 42 days) Oct 28, 2026 $0.2362 $23.62 Estimated
Thu, Nov 19, 2026 (in 72 days) Nov 27, 2026 $0.2362 $23.62 Estimated
Sat, Dec 19, 2026 (in 102 days) Dec 27, 2026 $0.2362 $23.62 Estimated
Mon, Jan 18, 2027 (in 132 days) Jan 26, 2027 $0.2362 $23.62 Estimated
Wed, Feb 17, 2027 (in 162 days) Feb 25, 2027 $0.2362 $23.62 Estimated
Fri, Mar 19, 2027 (in 192 days) Mar 27, 2027 $0.2362 $23.62 Estimated
Sun, Apr 18, 2027 (in 222 days) Apr 26, 2027 $0.2362 $23.62 Estimated
Tue, May 18, 2027 (in 252 days) May 26, 2027 $0.2362 $23.62 Estimated
Thu, Jun 17, 2027 (in 282 days) Jun 25, 2027 $0.2362 $23.62 Estimated
Sat, Jul 17, 2027 (in 312 days) Jul 25, 2027 $0.2362 $23.62 Estimated
Mon, Aug 16, 2027 (in 342 days) Aug 24, 2027 $0.2362 $23.62 Estimated

Estimated dates and amounts are projected from FTSL's recent payment pattern and will be replaced by declared figures when the fund announces them. Total over the next 12 months: about $2.835 per share.

Distribution payment history

Last 40 payments per share. RegularSpecial

Last 40 payments per share from May 23, 2023 to Aug 21, 2026; most recent $0.225$0.00$0.20$0.40May 23, 2023: $0.285May '23Jun 27, 2023: $0.285Jul 21, 2023: $0.29Aug 22, 2023: $0.305Sep 22, 2023: $0.30Oct 24, 2023: $0.295Oct '23Nov 21, 2023: $0.295Dec 22, 2023: $0.303Jan 23, 2024: $0.308Feb 21, 2024: $0.30Mar 21, 2024: $0.30Mar '24Apr 23, 2024: $0.295May 21, 2024: $0.293Jun 27, 2024: $0.288Jul 23, 2024: $0.288Aug 21, 2024: $0.29Aug '24Sep 26, 2024: $0.29Oct 22, 2024: $0.29Nov 21, 2024: $0.28Dec 13, 2024: $0.275Jan 22, 2025: $0.268Jan '25Feb 21, 2025: $0.263Mar 27, 2025: $0.26Apr 22, 2025: $0.258May 21, 2025: $0.258Jun 26, 2025: $0.253Jun '25Jul 22, 2025: $0.253Aug 21, 2025: $0.245Sep 25, 2025: $0.245Oct 21, 2025: $0.245Nov 21, 2025: $0.24Nov '25Dec 12, 2025: $0.24Jan 21, 2026: $0.24Feb 20, 2026: $0.24Mar 26, 2026: $0.235Apr 21, 2026: $0.235Apr '26May 21, 2026: $0.235Jun 25, 2026: $0.23Jul 21, 2026: $0.225Aug 21, 2026: $0.225

Annual distributions per share

Annual dividend per share by calendar year, 2017 to 2026 (year to date)$0.00$2.00$4.002017: $1.75$1.7520172018: $1.953$1.95320182019: $2.131$2.13120192020: $1.656$1.65620202021: $1.522$1.52220212022: $2.129$2.12920222023: $3.498$3.49820232024: $3.497$3.49720242025: $3.028$3.02820252026 (YTD): $1.865$1.8652026 YTD

How much FTSL do you need for monthly income?

Target incomeShares neededCapital at today's pricePer year
$100 / month424$19,014$1,200
$500 / month2,117$95,069$6,000
$1,000 / month4,233$190,138$12,000

Based on the forward yield of 6.31%. $10,000 in FTSL would currently pay about $631 a year ($53 a month on average). Model reinvestment and growth →

FTSL distribution history

Show recent only
Ex-datePay dateAmountChange
Aug 21, 2026 Aug 31, 2026 $0.225 +0.0%
Jul 21, 2026 Jul 31, 2026 $0.225 -2.2%
Jun 25, 2026 Jun 30, 2026 $0.23 -2.1%
May 21, 2026 May 29, 2026 $0.235 +0.0%
Apr 21, 2026 Apr 30, 2026 $0.235 +0.0%
Mar 26, 2026 Mar 31, 2026 $0.235 -2.1%
Feb 20, 2026 Feb 27, 2026 $0.24 +0.0%
Jan 21, 2026 Jan 30, 2026 $0.24 +0.0%
Dec 12, 2025 Dec 31, 2025 $0.24 +0.0%
Nov 21, 2025 Nov 28, 2025 $0.24 -2.0%
Oct 21, 2025 Oct 31, 2025 $0.245 +0.0%
Sep 25, 2025 Sep 30, 2025 $0.245 +0.0%
Aug 21, 2025 Aug 29, 2025 $0.245 -3.2%
Jul 22, 2025 Jul 31, 2025 $0.253 +0.0%
Jun 26, 2025 Jun 30, 2025 $0.253 -1.9%
May 21, 2025 May 30, 2025 $0.258 +0.0%
Apr 22, 2025 Apr 30, 2025 $0.258 -0.8%
Mar 27, 2025 Mar 31, 2025 $0.26 -1.1%
Feb 21, 2025 Feb 28, 2025 $0.263 -1.9%
Jan 22, 2025 Jan 31, 2025 $0.268 -2.5%
Dec 13, 2024 Dec 31, 2024 $0.275 -1.8%
Nov 21, 2024 Nov 29, 2024 $0.28 -3.4%
Oct 22, 2024 Oct 31, 2024 $0.29 +0.0%
Sep 26, 2024 Sep 30, 2024 $0.29 +0.0%
Aug 21, 2024 Aug 30, 2024 $0.29 +0.7%
Jul 23, 2024 Jul 31, 2024 $0.288 +0.0%
Jun 27, 2024 Jun 28, 2024 $0.288 -1.7%
May 21, 2024 May 31, 2024 $0.293 -0.7%
Apr 23, 2024 Apr 30, 2024 $0.295 -1.7%
Mar 21, 2024 Mar 28, 2024 $0.30 +0.0%
Feb 21, 2024 Feb 29, 2024 $0.30 -2.6%
Jan 23, 2024 Jan 31, 2024 $0.308 +1.7%
Dec 22, 2023 Dec 29, 2023 $0.303 +2.7%
Nov 21, 2023 Nov 30, 2023 $0.295 +0.0%
Oct 24, 2023 Oct 31, 2023 $0.295 -1.7%
Sep 22, 2023 Sep 29, 2023 $0.30 -1.6%
Aug 22, 2023 Aug 31, 2023 $0.305 +5.2%
Jul 21, 2023 Jul 31, 2023 $0.29 +1.8%
Jun 27, 2023 Jun 30, 2023 $0.285 +0.0%
May 23, 2023 May 31, 2023 $0.285 +0.0%
Apr 21, 2023 Apr 28, 2023 $0.285 +0.0%
Mar 24, 2023 Mar 31, 2023 $0.285 +0.0%
Feb 22, 2023 Feb 28, 2023 $0.285 +0.0%
Jan 24, 2023 Jan 31, 2023 $0.285 +5.6%
Dec 23, 2022 Dec 30, 2022 $0.27 +18.4%
Nov 22, 2022 Nov 30, 2022 $0.228 +0.0%
Oct 21, 2022 Oct 31, 2022 $0.228 +8.6%
Sep 23, 2022 Sep 30, 2022 $0.21 +27.3%
Aug 23, 2022 Aug 31, 2022 $0.165 +6.5%
Jul 21, 2022 Jul 29, 2022 $0.155 +1.3%
Jun 24, 2022 Jun 30, 2022 $0.153 +7.0%
May 24, 2022 May 31, 2022 $0.143 +0.0%
Apr 21, 2022 Apr 29, 2022 $0.143 +0.0%
Mar 25, 2022 Mar 31, 2022 $0.143 +0.0%
Feb 18, 2022 Feb 28, 2022 $0.143 -3.4%
Jan 21, 2022 Jan 31, 2022 $0.148 +0.0%
Dec 23, 2021 Dec 31, 2021 $0.148 +21.3%
Nov 23, 2021 Nov 30, 2021 $0.122 -2.4%
Oct 21, 2021 Oct 29, 2021 $0.125 -2.3%
Sep 23, 2021 Sep 30, 2021 $0.128 -1.5%
Aug 24, 2021 Aug 31, 2021 $0.13 -3.7%
Jul 21, 2021 Jul 30, 2021 $0.135 -3.6%
Jun 24, 2021 Jun 30, 2021 $0.14 +16.7%
May 21, 2021 May 28, 2021 $0.12 +10.1%
Apr 21, 2021 Apr 30, 2021 $0.109 -8.4%
Mar 25, 2021 Mar 31, 2021 $0.119 +8.2%
Feb 23, 2021 Feb 26, 2021 $0.11 -19.1%
Jan 21, 2021 Jan 29, 2021 $0.136 -6.2%
Dec 24, 2020 Dec 31, 2020 $0.145 +10.7%
Nov 24, 2020 Nov 30, 2020 $0.131 +3.1%
Oct 21, 2020 Oct 30, 2020 $0.127 +10.4%
Sep 24, 2020 Sep 30, 2020 $0.115 -4.2%
Aug 21, 2020 Aug 31, 2020 $0.12 -7.7%
Jul 21, 2020 Jul 31, 2020 $0.13 -3.7%
Jun 25, 2020 Jun 30, 2020 $0.135 -6.9%
May 21, 2020 May 29, 2020 $0.145 -3.3%
Apr 21, 2020 Apr 30, 2020 $0.15 -2.6%
Mar 26, 2020 Mar 31, 2020 $0.154 +0.0%
Feb 21, 2020 Feb 28, 2020 $0.154 +2.7%
Jan 22, 2020 Jan 31, 2020 $0.15 -3.2%
Dec 13, 2019 Dec 31, 2019 $0.155 -6.1%
Nov 21, 2019 Nov 29, 2019 $0.165 -2.9%
Oct 22, 2019 Oct 31, 2019 $0.17 -2.9%
Sep 25, 2019 Sep 30, 2019 $0.175 -4.9%
Aug 21, 2019 Aug 30, 2019 $0.184 +0.5%
Jul 23, 2019 Jul 31, 2019 $0.183 +4.6%
Jun 14, 2019 Jun 28, 2019 $0.175 -2.8%
May 21, 2019 May 31, 2019 $0.18 -2.7%
Apr 23, 2019 Apr 30, 2019 $0.185 -4.1%
Mar 21, 2019 Mar 29, 2019 $0.193 +5.5%
Feb 21, 2019 Feb 28, 2019 $0.183 +0.0%
Jan 23, 2019 Jan 31, 2019 $0.183 -1.1%
Dec 18, 2018 Dec 31, 2018 $0.185 +8.8%
Nov 21, 2018 Nov 30, 2018 $0.17 +0.0%
Oct 23, 2018 Oct 31, 2018 $0.17 +0.0%
Sep 14, 2018 Sep 28, 2018 $0.17 +0.0%
Aug 21, 2018 Aug 31, 2018 $0.17 +0.0%
Jul 20, 2018 Jul 31, 2018 $0.17 +0.0%
Jun 21, 2018 Jun 29, 2018 $0.17 +6.2%
May 22, 2018 May 31, 2018 $0.16 +4.6%
Apr 20, 2018 Apr 30, 2018 $0.153 +5.5%
Mar 22, 2018 Mar 29, 2018 $0.145 +0.0%
Feb 21, 2018 Feb 28, 2018 $0.145 +0.0%
Jan 23, 2018 Jan 31, 2018 $0.145 -29.3%
Dec 21, 2017 Dec 29, 2017 $0.205 +41.4%
Nov 21, 2017 Nov 30, 2017 $0.145 +3.6%
Oct 20, 2017 Oct 31, 2017 $0.14 +0.0%
Sep 21, 2017 Sep 29, 2017 $0.14 +0.0%
Aug 22, 2017 Aug 31, 2017 $0.14 +0.0%
Jul 21, 2017 Jul 31, 2017 $0.14 +0.0%
Jun 22, 2017 Jun 30, 2017 $0.14 +0.0%
May 23, 2017 May 31, 2017 $0.14 +0.0%
Apr 21, 2017 Apr 28, 2017 $0.14 +0.0%
Mar 23, 2017 Mar 31, 2017 $0.14 +0.0%
Feb 22, 2017 Feb 28, 2017 $0.14 +0.0%
Jan 20, 2017 Jan 31, 2017 $0.14 -3.4%
Dec 21, 2016 Dec 30, 2016 $0.145 -3.3%
Nov 22, 2016 Nov 30, 2016 $0.15 +0.0%
Oct 21, 2016 Oct 31, 2016 $0.15 +0.0%
Sep 21, 2016 Sep 30, 2016 $0.15 +0.0%
Aug 23, 2016 Aug 31, 2016 $0.15 +0.0%
Jul 21, 2016 Jul 29, 2016 $0.15 +0.0%
Jun 22, 2016 Jun 30, 2016 $0.15 +0.0%
May 20, 2016 May 31, 2016 $0.15 +0.0%
Apr 21, 2016 Apr 29, 2016 $0.15 +0.0%
Mar 23, 2016 Mar 31, 2016 $0.15 +0.0%
Feb 23, 2016 Feb 29, 2016 $0.15 +0.0%
Jan 21, 2016 Jan 29, 2016 $0.15 -6.2%
Dec 23, 2015 Dec 31, 2015 $0.16 +0.0%
Nov 20, 2015 Nov 30, 2015 $0.16 +0.0%
Oct 21, 2015 Oct 30, 2015 $0.16 +0.0%
Sep 23, 2015 Sep 30, 2015 $0.16 +3.2%
Aug 21, 2015 Aug 31, 2015 $0.155 +0.0%
Jul 21, 2015 Jul 31, 2015 $0.155 +3.3%
Jun 24, 2015 Jun 30, 2015 $0.15 +0.0%
May 21, 2015 May 29, 2015 $0.15 +0.0%
Apr 21, 2015 Apr 30, 2015 $0.15 +0.0%
Mar 25, 2015 Mar 31, 2015 $0.15 +0.0%
Feb 20, 2015 Feb 27, 2015 $0.15 +0.0%
Jan 21, 2015 Jan 30, 2015 $0.15 -27.2%
Dec 23, 2014 Dec 31, 2014 $0.206 +37.3%
Nov 21, 2014 Nov 28, 2014 $0.15 +3.4%
Oct 21, 2014 Oct 31, 2014 $0.145 +0.0%
Sep 23, 2014 Sep 30, 2014 $0.145 +0.0%
Aug 21, 2014 Aug 29, 2014 $0.145 +0.0%
Jul 22, 2014 Jul 31, 2014 $0.145 +0.0%
Jun 24, 2014 Jun 30, 2014 $0.145 +0.0%
May 21, 2014 May 30, 2014 $0.145 +0.0%
Apr 22, 2014 Apr 30, 2014 $0.145 +0.0%
Mar 25, 2014 Mar 31, 2014 $0.145 +0.0%
Feb 21, 2014 Feb 28, 2014 $0.145 -6.5%
Jan 22, 2014 Jan 31, 2014 $0.155 +0.0%
Dec 18, 2013 Dec 31, 2013 $0.155 +0.0%
Nov 21, 2013 Nov 29, 2013 $0.155 +0.0%
Oct 22, 2013 Oct 31, 2013 $0.155 -3.1%
Sep 20, 2013 Sep 30, 2013 $0.16 -3.0%
Aug 21, 2013 Aug 30, 2013 $0.165 -4.6%
Jul 23, 2013 Jul 31, 2013 $0.173 +0.0%
Jun 21, 2013 Jun 28, 2013 $0.173 +0.0%
May 21, 2013 May 31, 2013 $0.173

Payout risk check

Distribution stabilityLow risk

FTSL's last 12 distributions were very stable (consistency score 97/100).

Its share price moved -2.3% over the past year.

This is a rule-based screen computed from public data, not a rating or a recommendation. Read our guide to yield traps for what the signals mean.

About First Trust Senior Loan Fund

Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in first and second lien senior floating rate bank loans (collectively, “Senior Loans”). Senior loans represent debt obligations of sub-investment grade corporate borrowers, similar to high yield bonds; however, senior loans are different from traditional high yield bonds in that senior loans are typically senior to other obligations of the borrower and generally secured by a lien on all or some portion of the assets of the borrower.

Fund family: First Trust. Category: Bank Loan. First distribution on our records: May 21, 2013. 160 payments tracked.

FTSL distribution FAQ

When is FTSL's next ex-distribution date?

FTSL's next ex-distribution date is Sep 20, 2026 (in 12 days, estimated from its monthly schedule). You must own the shares before that date to receive the payment of about $0.2362 per share, expected on Sep 28, 2026.

How often does FTSL pay distributions?

FTSL pays distributions every month, 12 times a year. The most recent payment was $0.225 per share with an ex-date of Aug 21, 2026.

What is FTSL's distribution yield?

FTSL's trailing 12-month distribution yield is 6.31%, based on $2.835 per share paid over the last year and a share price of $44.92. The forward yield, using the indicated annual rate of $2.835 per share, is 6.31%.

How much does FTSL pay per share?

FTSL pays about $0.2362 per share each month, which works out to roughly $2.835 per share a year. 100 shares would collect about $283.50 a year.

Has FTSL grown or cut its distribution?

Over the last 5 years the regular payout has grown at 13.3% a year (-11.2% over the last year). There has been no cut to a regular payment in the last 5 years. As a fund, FTSL's distributions vary with the income its holdings generate, so payouts are not designed to rise every year the way a dividend-growth stock's are.

How many shares of FTSL do I need to earn $100 a month?

At the current forward yield of 6.31%, you would need about 424 shares of FTSL (roughly $19,014 invested at today's price) to collect $1,200 a year, or $100 a month on average, before taxes. Payments arrive every month, so the monthly figure is an average.

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