DFUV vs. FTA

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

DFUV (Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF) and FTA (First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. DFUV is actively managed, while FTA is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFUV returned 17.41%/yr vs 15.29%/yr for FTA. Their correlation of 0.92 means they have usually moved in the same direction. DFUV charges 0.21%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTA.

Performance

DFUV vs. FTA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF (DFUV) and First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFUV achieves a 20.16% return, which is significantly higher than FTA's 18.18% return.

DFUV

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 1.35%
• 6M: 14.55%
• YTD: 20.16%
• 1Y: 34.64%
• 3Y*: 17.41%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.13%

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%

*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)
DFUV Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF	$24.58M	$21.37M	$22.37M
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	$3.06M	$3.30M	$2.95M

DFUV vs. FTA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
DFUV Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF	20.16%	15.77%	11.79%	13.25%	-0.71%
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	18.18%	14.94%	10.13%	10.08%	-2.55%

Correlation

The correlation between DFUV and FTA is 0.75, 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.	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 9, 2022	0.92

The correlation between DFUV and FTA shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (1 year) to 0.92 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DFUV vs. FTA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFUV	FTA
Financial Services	22.8%	23.2%
Healthcare	15.1%	10.2%
Technology	13.6%	7.3%
Industrials	12.8%	8.8%
Energy	12.1%	9.2%
Consumer Cyclical	7.5%	9.3%
Basic Materials	6.4%	3.2%
Communication Services	5.3%	4.6%
Consumer Defensive	3.6%	6.5%
Real Estate	0.3%	6.6%
Utilities	0.1%	11.1%

Return for Risk

DFUV vs. FTA — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFUV

DFUV Risk / Return Rank: 95
DFUV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
DFUV Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
DFUV Omega Ratio Rank: 93
DFUV Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
DFUV Martin Ratio Rank: 95

FTA

FTA Risk / Return Rank: 94
FTA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
FTA Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
FTA Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FTA Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
FTA Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

DFUV vs. FTA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF (DFUV) 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.

	DFUV	FTA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.74	2.63	+0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.82	3.90	-0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.46	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.47	5.93	-0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.64	20.26	+0.37

DFUV vs. FTA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFUV Sharpe Ratio is 2.74, which is comparable to the FTA Sharpe Ratio of 2.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFUV and FTA, 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

DFUV vs. FTA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFUV drawdown since its inception was -17.60%, smaller than the maximum FTA drawdown of -62.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFUV and FTA.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFUV	FTA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.60%	-62.45%	+44.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.01%	-5.13%	-0.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.60%	-18.73%	+1.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.80%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-44.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.38%	-1.56%	+1.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.54%	-8.97%	+5.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.59%	1.50%	+0.09%

Volatility

DFUV vs. FTA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF (DFUV) is 2.63%, while First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) has a volatility of 3.93%. This indicates that DFUV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFUV	FTA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.63%	3.93%	-1.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.65%	8.04%	+0.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.02%	11.61%	+0.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.12%	16.23%	-0.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.12%	19.85%	-3.73%

DFUV vs. FTA - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFUV has a 0.21% expense ratio, which is lower than FTA's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFUV vs. FTA - Dividend Comparison

DFUV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.30%, less than FTA's 1.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFUV Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF	1.30%	1.55%	1.64%	1.72%	1.34%	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

Can I hold both DFUV and FTA in my portfolio?

DFUV and FTA have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFUV or FTA?

FTA has higher volatility (3.93%) compared to DFUV (2.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFUV dropped -17.60% vs FTA's -62.45%.

Which ETF is better, DFUV or FTA?

On 3-year performance, DFUV leads with 17.41% vs 15.29% for FTA. On fees, DFUV is cheaper at 0.21% per year. On volatility, DFUV has been the lower-risk option at 2.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DFUV or FTA?

Over the 3-year period, DFUV has performed better with a 17.41% return vs 15.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFUV or FTA?

DFUV is cheaper with a 0.21% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DFUV or FTA?

FTA has the higher dividend yield at 1.61%, compared with 1.30% for DFUV.

What is the main difference between DFUV and FTA?

They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.21% for DFUV and 0.60% for FTA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFUV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.74 vs 2.63), 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.