AFSM vs. SMMV

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

AFSM (First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF) and SMMV (iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. AFSM is actively managed, while SMMV is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AFSM returned 10.56%/yr vs 6.53%/yr for SMMV. Their correlation of 0.86 means they have usually moved in the same direction. AFSM charges 0.77%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for SMMV.

Performance

AFSM vs. SMMV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF (AFSM) and iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF (SMMV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AFSM achieves a 26.32% return, which is significantly higher than SMMV's 10.68% return.

AFSM

• 1D: 1.87%
• 1M: 3.01%
• 6M: 19.77%
• YTD: 26.32%
• 1Y: 37.92%
• 3Y*: 18.04%
• 5Y*: 10.56%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.30%

SMMV

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: 1.80%
• 6M: 8.42%
• YTD: 10.68%
• 1Y: 16.22%
• 3Y*: 12.84%
• 5Y*: 6.53%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.84%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AFSM First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF	$794.37K	$778.51K	$678.40K
SMMV iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF	$351.66K	$331.41K	$425.92K

AFSM vs. SMMV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AFSM First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF	26.32%	9.99%	10.55%	22.23%	-17.50%	26.03%	8.44%	2.39%
SMMV iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF	10.68%	6.42%	18.29%	5.63%	-10.00%	16.64%	-2.88%	1.94%

Correlation

The correlation between AFSM and SMMV is 0.62, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2019	0.86

Over the past year, the correlation between AFSM and SMMV has dropped to 0.62 - well below their long-term average of 0.86, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

AFSM vs. SMMV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AFSM	SMMV
Technology	21.9%	13.7%
Healthcare	18.2%	18.7%
Industrials	15.2%	13.6%
Financial Services	14.2%	9.2%
Consumer Cyclical	8.6%	5.3%
Energy	5.4%	5.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	7.6%
Communication Services	4.2%	5.1%
Real Estate	3.9%	12.5%
Basic Materials	3.7%	1.6%
Utilities	0.5%	7.5%

Return for Risk

AFSM vs. SMMV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

AFSM

AFSM Risk / Return Rank: 82
AFSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
AFSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
AFSM Omega Ratio Rank: 76
AFSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
AFSM Martin Ratio Rank: 83

SMMV

SMMV Risk / Return Rank: 62
SMMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
SMMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
SMMV Omega Ratio Rank: 62
SMMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
SMMV Martin Ratio Rank: 55

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

AFSM vs. SMMV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF (AFSM) and iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF (SMMV). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AFSM	SMMV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	1.68	+0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.98	2.56	+0.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.30	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.98	2.32	+1.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.86	7.14	+5.71

AFSM vs. SMMV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AFSM Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is comparable to the SMMV Sharpe Ratio of 1.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AFSM and SMMV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AFSM vs. SMMV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AFSM drawdown since its inception was -43.54%, which is greater than SMMV's maximum drawdown of -38.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFSM and SMMV.

Drawdown Indicators

	AFSM	SMMV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.54%	-38.77%	-4.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.56%	-7.02%	-2.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.07%	-13.68%	-11.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.27%	-18.00%	-10.27%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.28%	-5.03%	-4.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.96%	2.28%	+0.68%

Volatility

AFSM vs. SMMV - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF (AFSM) has a higher volatility of 4.47% compared to iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF (SMMV) at 2.71%. This indicates that AFSM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMMV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AFSM	SMMV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.47%	2.71%	+1.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.06%	7.02%	+7.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.32%	9.74%	+8.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.82%	13.44%	+7.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.22%	15.61%	+9.61%

AFSM vs. SMMV - Expense Ratio Comparison

AFSM has a 0.77% expense ratio, which is higher than SMMV's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

AFSM vs. SMMV - Dividend Comparison

AFSM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.49%, less than SMMV's 1.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
AFSM First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF	0.49%	0.58%	0.58%	0.92%	1.28%	0.35%	0.53%	0.32%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMMV iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF	1.64%	1.77%	1.76%	2.30%	1.67%	1.08%	1.39%	1.64%	1.72%	1.63%	0.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AFSM and SMMV in my portfolio?

AFSM and SMMV have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AFSM or SMMV?

AFSM has higher volatility (4.47%) compared to SMMV (2.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFSM dropped -43.54% vs SMMV's -38.77%.

Which ETF is better, AFSM or SMMV?

On 5-year performance, AFSM leads with 10.56% vs 6.53% for SMMV. On fees, SMMV is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, SMMV has been the lower-risk option at 2.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AFSM or SMMV?

Over the 5-year period, AFSM has performed better with a 10.56% return vs 6.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AFSM or SMMV?

SMMV is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.77% for AFSM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AFSM or SMMV?

SMMV has the higher dividend yield at 1.64%, compared with 0.49% for AFSM.

What is the main difference between AFSM and SMMV?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.77% for AFSM and 0.20% for SMMV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AFSM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.68), 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.