ABLS vs. FDM
ABLS (Abacus FCF Small Cap Leaders ETF) and FDM (First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds - ABLS tracks the Abacus FCF Small Cap Leaders Index while FDM tracks the Dow Jones Select Microcap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, ABLS returned 0.04% vs 27.59% for FDM. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ABLS charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FDM.
Performance
ABLS vs. FDM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ABLS achieves a 2.75% return, which is significantly lower than FDM's 7.48% return.
ABLS
- 1D
- -0.92%
- 1M
- 0.47%
- YTD
- 2.75%
- 6M
- -0.23%
- 1Y
- 0.04%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FDM
- 1D
- -2.13%
- 1M
- -2.89%
- YTD
- 7.48%
- 6M
- 7.77%
- 1Y
- 27.59%
- 3Y*
- 18.03%
- 5Y*
- 8.37%
- 10Y*
- 11.42%
ABLS vs. FDM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
ABLS Abacus FCF Small Cap Leaders ETF | 2.75% | -8.72% |
FDM First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund | 7.48% | 13.48% |
Correlation
The correlation between ABLS and FDM is 0.72, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.72 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 20, 2025 | 0.74 |
The correlation between ABLS and FDM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
ABLS vs. FDM — Risk / Return Rank
ABLS
FDM
ABLS vs. FDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Abacus FCF Small Cap Leaders ETF (ABLS) and First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund (FDM). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
| ABLS | FDM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.47 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.05 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.01 | 1.26 | -0.24 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.00 | 2.98 | -2.98 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.01 | 9.04 | -9.03 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| ABLS | FDM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.00 | 1.47 | -1.47 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.39 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.49 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | -0.23 | 0.34 | -0.57 |
Drawdowns
ABLS vs. FDM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ABLS drawdown since its inception was -19.28%, smaller than the maximum FDM drawdown of -63.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ABLS and FDM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ABLS | FDM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.28% | -63.45% | +44.17% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.19% | -9.30% | -6.89% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -23.47% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -23.74% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -47.76% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.21% | -4.31% | -1.90% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.45% | -11.35% | +2.90% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.82% | 3.06% | +2.76% |
Volatility
ABLS vs. FDM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Abacus FCF Small Cap Leaders ETF (ABLS) is 3.80%, while First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund (FDM) has a volatility of 4.50%. This indicates that ABLS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FDM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ABLS | FDM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.80% | 4.50% | -0.70% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.68% | 13.22% | -0.54% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.35% | 18.90% | -1.55% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.25% | 21.39% | -0.14% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.25% | 23.36% | -2.11% |
ABLS vs. FDM - Expense Ratio Comparison
ABLS has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is lower than FDM's 0.60% expense ratio.
Dividends
ABLS vs. FDM - Dividend Comparison
ABLS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.68%, more than FDM's 1.28% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ABLS Abacus FCF Small Cap Leaders ETF | 13.68% | 14.04% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
FDM First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund | 1.28% | 1.43% | 1.56% | 1.81% | 1.80% | 1.08% | 1.68% | 1.37% | 1.26% | 0.97% | 1.13% | 1.45% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ABLS and FDM have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FDM has higher volatility (4.50%) compared to ABLS (3.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ABLS dropped -19.28% vs FDM's -63.45%.
On 1-year performance, FDM leads with 27.59% vs 0.04% for ABLS. On fees, ABLS is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, ABLS has been the lower-risk option at 3.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, FDM has performed better with a 27.59% return vs 0.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ABLS is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FDM.
ABLS has the higher dividend yield at 13.68%, compared with 1.28% for FDM.
ABLS tracks Abacus FCF Small Cap Leaders Index, while FDM tracks Dow Jones Select Microcap Index. They also come from different issuers: Abacus and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for ABLS and 0.60% for FDM.
FDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.47 vs 0.00), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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