ESSC vs. FYX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ESSC (Eventide Small Cap ETF) and FYX (First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. ESSC is actively managed, while FYX is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ESSC charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for FYX.

Performance

ESSC vs. FYX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESSC achieves a 15.03% return, which is significantly lower than FYX's 18.13% return.

ESSC

• 1D: -0.78%
• 1M: 2.91%
• YTD: 15.03%
• 6M: 14.38%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FYX

• 1D: -1.34%
• 1M: 1.06%
• YTD: 18.13%
• 6M: 18.02%
• 1Y: 43.61%
• 3Y*: 20.01%
• 5Y*: 8.23%
• 10Y*: 12.27%

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

ESSC vs. FYX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ESSC Eventide Small Cap ETF	15.03%	3.65%
FYX First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund	18.13%	4.15%

Correlation

The correlation between ESSC and FYX is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2025	0.94

Return for Risk

ESSC vs. FYX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FYX

FYX Risk / Return Rank: 79
FYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
FYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
FYX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
FYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
FYX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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. FYX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Eventide Small Cap ETF (ESSC) and First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FYX). 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	FYX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.41	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.38	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.51	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.58	0.36	+1.22

Drawdowns

ESSC vs. FYX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESSC drawdown since its inception was -9.51%, smaller than the maximum FYX drawdown of -61.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESSC and FYX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESSC	FYX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.51%	-61.80%	+52.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-7.56%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-27.91%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.91%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-48.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.05%	-1.48%	+0.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.19%	-10.89%	+8.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.34%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ESSC	FYX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.71%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	12.03%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.00%	18.28%	+0.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.00%	21.96%	-2.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.00%	24.21%	-5.21%

ESSC vs. FYX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESSC has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than FYX's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESSC vs. FYX - Dividend Comparison

ESSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.16%, less than FYX's 0.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ESSC Eventide Small Cap ETF	0.16%	0.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FYX First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund	0.69%	0.64%	1.62%	1.22%	0.95%	0.99%	0.65%	1.12%	1.08%	0.60%	0.94%	0.88%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESSC and FYX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, ESSC and FYX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, ESSC or FYX?

On fees, ESSC is cheaper at 0.49% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESSC or FYX?

ESSC is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.63% for FYX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ESSC or FYX?

FYX has the higher dividend yield at 0.69%, compared with 0.16% for ESSC.

What is the main difference between ESSC and FYX?

They also come from different issuers: Eventide and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for ESSC and 0.63% for FYX.