ESSC vs. FDM

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Eventide Small Cap ETF (ESSC) and First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund (FDM).

ESSC and FDM are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. ESSC is an actively managed fund by Eventide. It was launched on Sep 29, 2025. FDM is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the Dow Jones Select Microcap Index. It was launched on Sep 27, 2005.

Performance

ESSC vs. FDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Eventide Small Cap ETF (ESSC) and First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund (FDM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

ESSC vs. FDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ESSC Eventide Small Cap ETF	1.16%	3.65%
FDM First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund	3.39%	5.59%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESSC achieves a 1.16% return, which is significantly lower than FDM's 3.39% return.

ESSC

• 1D: 3.44%
• 1M: -3.82%
• YTD: 1.16%
• 6M: 4.85%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FDM

• 1D: 1.32%
• 1M: -3.24%
• YTD: 3.39%
• 6M: 9.17%
• 1Y: 33.86%
• 3Y*: 17.23%
• 5Y*: 7.95%
• 10Y*: 11.22%

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

ESSC vs. FDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESSC has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than FDM's 0.60% expense ratio.

FDM

First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund

ESSC

Eventide Small Cap ETF

Return for Risk

ESSC vs. FDM — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDM

FDM Risk / Return Rank: 83
FDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
FDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
FDM Omega Ratio Rank: 78
FDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
FDM Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

ESSC vs. FDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Eventide Small Cap ETF (ESSC) and First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund (FDM). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ESSC	FDM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.53	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.37	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.48	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.34	+0.18

Correlation

The correlation between ESSC and FDM is 0.82, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

ESSC vs. FDM - Dividend Comparison

ESSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.19%, less than FDM's 1.33% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ESSC Eventide Small Cap ETF	0.19%	0.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FDM First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund	1.33%	1.43%	1.56%	1.81%	1.80%	1.08%	1.68%	1.37%	1.26%	0.97%	1.13%	1.45%

Drawdowns

ESSC vs. FDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESSC drawdown since its inception was -9.51%, smaller than the maximum FDM drawdown of -63.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESSC and FDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESSC	FDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.51%	-63.45%	+53.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-11.99%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-23.74%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-47.76%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.40%	-5.74%	-0.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.49%	-11.43%	+8.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.46%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ESSC	FDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	6.37%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	14.17%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.61%	22.29%	-2.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.61%	21.53%	-1.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.61%	23.33%	-3.72%