CBSE vs. FTA
CBSE (Clough Select Equity ETF) and FTA (First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. CBSE is actively managed, while FTA is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, CBSE returned 10.41%/yr vs 11.21%/yr for FTA. Their 0.62 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. CBSE charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTA.
Performance
CBSE vs. FTA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with CBSE having a 17.44% return and FTA slightly higher at 18.18%.
CBSE
- 1D
- 0.48%
- 1M
- -8.06%
- 6M
- 10.14%
- YTD
- 17.44%
- 1Y
- 22.91%
- 3Y*
- 24.56%
- 5Y*
- 10.41%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 16.07%
FTA
- 1D
- -0.29%
- 1M
- 2.70%
- 6M
- 12.86%
- YTD
- 18.18%
- 1Y
- 31.73%
- 3Y*
- 15.29%
- 5Y*
- 11.21%
- 10Y*
- 11.60%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.58%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $202.38K | $195.77K | $371.19K | |
| $3.06M | $3.30M | $2.95M |
CBSE vs. FTA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CBSE Clough Select Equity ETF | 17.44% | 19.53% | 32.20% | 17.29% | -19.92% | 14.57% | 17.27% |
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund | 18.18% | 14.94% | 10.13% | 10.08% | -3.73% | 29.32% | 7.81% |
Correlation
The correlation between CBSE and FTA is 0.30, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.30 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.49 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.61 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2020 | 0.62 |
Over the past year, the correlation between CBSE and FTA has dropped to 0.30 - well below their long-term average of 0.62, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
CBSE vs. FTA — Risk / Return Rank
CBSE
FTA
CBSE vs. FTA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Clough Select Equity ETF (CBSE) and First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA). 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.
| CBSE | FTA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.80 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.65 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.15 | 1.46 | -0.30 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.56 | 5.93 | -4.37 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.04 | 20.26 | -16.23 |
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Drawdowns
CBSE vs. FTA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum CBSE drawdown since its inception was -36.30%, smaller than the maximum FTA drawdown of -62.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CBSE and FTA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| CBSE | FTA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -36.30% | -62.45% | +26.15% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.57% | -5.13% | -8.44% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -29.40% | -18.73% | -10.67% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -36.30% | -19.80% | -16.50% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -44.97% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -11.97% | -1.56% | -10.41% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.13% | -8.97% | -3.16% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.24% | 1.50% | +3.74% |
Volatility
CBSE vs. FTA - Volatility Comparison
Clough Select Equity ETF (CBSE) has a higher volatility of 5.71% compared to First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) at 3.93%. This indicates that CBSE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| CBSE | FTA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.71% | 3.93% | +1.78% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 20.76% | 8.04% | +12.72% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 25.56% | 11.61% | +13.95% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.56% | 16.23% | +8.33% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.07% | 19.85% | +4.22% |
CBSE vs. FTA - Expense Ratio Comparison
CBSE has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than FTA's 0.60% expense ratio.
Dividends
CBSE vs. FTA - Dividend Comparison
CBSE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.29%, less than FTA's 1.61% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CBSE Clough Select Equity ETF | 0.29% | 0.35% | 0.37% | 1.50% | 0.52% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund | 1.61% | 1.89% | 2.02% | 2.10% | 2.15% | 1.54% | 2.03% | 1.88% | 2.28% | 1.53% | 1.56% | 2.05% |
Frequently Asked Questions
CBSE and FTA have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
CBSE has higher volatility (5.71%) compared to FTA (3.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CBSE dropped -36.30% vs FTA's -62.45%.
On 5-year performance, FTA leads with 11.21% vs 10.41% for CBSE. On fees, FTA is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FTA has been the lower-risk option at 3.93%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, FTA has performed better with a 11.21% return vs 10.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FTA is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for CBSE.
FTA has the higher dividend yield at 1.61%, compared with 0.29% for CBSE.
They also come from different issuers: Clough and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for CBSE and 0.60% for FTA.
FTA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 0.83), 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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