DVLU vs. FAB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DVLU (First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Value ETF) and FAB (First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - DVLU is a Momentum fund tracking the Dorsey Wright Momentum Plus Value Index, while FAB is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Multi Cap Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DVLU returned 11.03%/yr vs 7.87%/yr for FAB. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DVLU charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.64%/yr for FAB.

Performance

DVLU vs. FAB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Value ETF (DVLU) and First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FAB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with DVLU having a 10.31% return and FAB slightly higher at 10.72%.

DVLU

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 3.99%
• YTD: 10.31%
• 6M: 12.01%
• 1Y: 35.76%
• 3Y*: 22.18%
• 5Y*: 11.03%
• 10Y*: —

FAB

• 1D: -0.79%
• 1M: 0.77%
• YTD: 10.72%
• 6M: 11.08%
• 1Y: 26.09%
• 3Y*: 15.20%
• 5Y*: 7.87%
• 10Y*: 10.39%

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

DVLU vs. FAB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DVLU First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Value ETF	10.31%	23.67%	13.36%	18.84%	-9.73%	41.67%	-6.68%	33.59%	-24.03%
FAB First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	10.72%	9.86%	7.82%	15.81%	-6.79%	30.83%	2.40%	23.73%	-16.34%

Correlation

The correlation between DVLU and FAB is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2018	0.83

The correlation between DVLU and FAB shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (1 year) to 0.86 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DVLU vs. FAB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DVLU	FAB
Financial Services	23.5%	23.9%
Energy	19.6%	8.3%
Healthcare	13.7%	7.1%
Industrials	11.8%	12.0%
Basic Materials	7.8%	3.9%
Consumer Defensive	5.9%	5.9%
Consumer Cyclical	3.9%	13.9%
Technology	3.9%	7.9%
Utilities	3.9%	6.2%
Communication Services	2.0%	2.7%
Real Estate	2.0%	7.7%

Return for Risk

DVLU vs. FAB — Risk / Return Rank

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

DVLU

DVLU Risk / Return Rank: 63
DVLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
DVLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
DVLU Omega Ratio Rank: 63
DVLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
DVLU Martin Ratio Rank: 60

FAB

FAB Risk / Return Rank: 63
FAB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
FAB Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
FAB Omega Ratio Rank: 54
FAB Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
FAB Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

DVLU vs. FAB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Value ETF (DVLU) and First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FAB). 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.

	DVLU	FAB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	1.91	+0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.03	2.92	+0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.34	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.93	3.94	-1.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.59	12.25	-1.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DVLU vs. FAB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DVLU Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is comparable to the FAB Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DVLU and FAB, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DVLU	FAB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.19	1.91	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52	0.42	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.47	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.34	+0.08

Drawdowns

DVLU vs. FAB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DVLU drawdown since its inception was -53.26%, smaller than the maximum FAB drawdown of -63.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DVLU and FAB.

Drawdown Indicators

	DVLU	FAB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.26%	-63.29%	+10.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.24%	-6.65%	-5.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.86%	-22.91%	-1.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.86%	-22.91%	-1.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-47.08%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.22%	-0.98%	+0.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.78%	-9.25%	+0.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.39%	2.14%	+1.25%

Volatility

DVLU vs. FAB - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Value ETF (DVLU) has a higher volatility of 3.65% compared to First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FAB) at 3.15%. This indicates that DVLU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FAB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DVLU	FAB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.65%	3.15%	+0.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.36%	8.64%	+3.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.40%	13.81%	+2.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.52%	18.72%	+2.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.81%	22.06%	+3.75%

DVLU vs. FAB - Expense Ratio Comparison

DVLU has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than FAB's 0.64% expense ratio.

Dividends

DVLU vs. FAB - Dividend Comparison

DVLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.62%, less than FAB's 1.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DVLU First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Value ETF	0.62%	0.73%	1.06%	1.34%	2.18%	1.33%	1.34%	1.71%	0.58%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FAB First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	1.59%	1.57%	2.00%	1.94%	1.80%	1.32%	1.59%	1.75%	1.96%	1.42%	1.40%	1.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DVLU and FAB in my portfolio?

DVLU and FAB have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DVLU or FAB?

DVLU has higher volatility (3.65%) compared to FAB (3.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DVLU dropped -53.26% vs FAB's -63.29%.

Which ETF is better, DVLU or FAB?

On 5-year performance, DVLU leads with 11.03% vs 7.87% for FAB. On fees, DVLU is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FAB has been the lower-risk option at 3.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DVLU or FAB?

Over the 5-year period, DVLU has performed better with a 11.03% return vs 7.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DVLU or FAB?

DVLU is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.64% for FAB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DVLU or FAB?

FAB has the higher dividend yield at 1.59%, compared with 0.62% for DVLU.

What is the main difference between DVLU and FAB?

DVLU is categorized as Momentum, while FAB is Mid Cap Value Equities. DVLU tracks Dorsey Wright Momentum Plus Value Index, while FAB tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Multi Cap Value Index. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for DVLU and 0.64% for FAB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DVLU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 1.91), 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.