ALIL vs. FESM

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ALIL (Argent Focused Small Cap ETF) and FESM (Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, ALIL returned 16.19% vs 51.65% for FESM. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ALIL charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for FESM.

Performance

ALIL vs. FESM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Argent Focused Small Cap ETF (ALIL) and Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF (FESM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ALIL achieves a 11.27% return, which is significantly lower than FESM's 24.59% return.

ALIL

• 1D: -1.86%
• 1M: 5.55%
• YTD: 11.27%
• 6M: 8.99%
• 1Y: 16.19%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FESM

• 1D: -0.78%
• 1M: 4.79%
• YTD: 24.59%
• 6M: 22.07%
• 1Y: 51.65%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ALIL vs. FESM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ALIL Argent Focused Small Cap ETF	11.27%	16.27%
FESM Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF	24.59%	46.29%

Correlation

The correlation between ALIL and FESM is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 9, 2025	0.89

The correlation between ALIL and FESM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ALIL vs. FESM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ALIL

ALIL Risk / Return Rank: 27
ALIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
ALIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
ALIL Omega Ratio Rank: 23
ALIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
ALIL Martin Ratio Rank: 29

FESM

FESM Risk / Return Rank: 85
FESM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
FESM Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
FESM Omega Ratio Rank: 77
FESM Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
FESM Martin Ratio Rank: 88

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ALIL vs. FESM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Argent Focused Small Cap ETF (ALIL) and Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF (FESM). 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.

	ALIL	FESM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.85	2.66	-1.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.38	3.53	-2.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.43	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.29	5.10	-3.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.77	18.36	-14.59

ALIL vs. FESM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ALIL Sharpe Ratio is 0.85, which is lower than the FESM Sharpe Ratio of 2.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ALIL and FESM, 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

ALIL vs. FESM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ALIL drawdown since its inception was -12.60%, smaller than the maximum FESM drawdown of -26.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALIL and FESM.

Drawdown Indicators

	ALIL	FESM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.60%	-26.93%	+14.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.60%	-10.18%	-2.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.86%	-0.78%	-1.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.07%	-4.71%	+1.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.31%	2.82%	+1.49%

Volatility

ALIL vs. FESM - Volatility Comparison

Argent Focused Small Cap ETF (ALIL) has a higher volatility of 6.72% compared to Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF (FESM) at 6.38%. This indicates that ALIL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FESM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ALIL	FESM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.72%	6.38%	+0.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.16%	14.11%	+0.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.10%	19.54%	-0.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.79%	21.32%	-0.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.79%	21.32%	-0.53%

ALIL vs. FESM - Expense Ratio Comparison

ALIL has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is higher than FESM's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

ALIL vs. FESM - Dividend Comparison

ALIL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.42%, less than FESM's 0.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
ALIL Argent Focused Small Cap ETF	0.42%	0.47%	0.00%	0.00%
FESM Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF	0.73%	0.82%	1.08%	0.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ALIL and FESM in my portfolio?

ALIL and FESM have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ALIL or FESM?

ALIL has higher volatility (6.72%) compared to FESM (6.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ALIL dropped -12.60% vs FESM's -26.93%.

Which ETF is better, ALIL or FESM?

On 1-year performance, FESM leads with 51.65% vs 16.19% for ALIL. On fees, FESM is cheaper at 0.28% per year. On volatility, FESM has been the lower-risk option at 6.38%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ALIL or FESM?

Over the 1-year period, FESM has performed better with a 51.65% return vs 16.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ALIL or FESM?

FESM is cheaper with a 0.28% expense ratio, compared with 0.74% for ALIL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ALIL or FESM?

FESM has the higher dividend yield at 0.73%, compared with 0.42% for ALIL.

What is the main difference between ALIL and FESM?

They also come from different issuers: Argent and Fidelity. Their fees differ too: 0.74% for ALIL and 0.28% for FESM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FESM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.66 vs 0.85), 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.