EZM vs. SDVY

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

EZM (WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Earnings Fund) and SDVY (First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EZM is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Index, while SDVY is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ US Small Mid Cap Rising Dividend Achievers™ Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, EZM returned 8.77%/yr vs 9.97%/yr for SDVY. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EZM charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for SDVY.

Performance

EZM vs. SDVY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Earnings Fund (EZM) and First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with EZM having a 13.31% return and SDVY slightly lower at 12.78%.

EZM

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: 2.69%
• YTD: 13.31%
• 6M: 11.26%
• 1Y: 25.36%
• 3Y*: 15.45%
• 5Y*: 8.77%
• 10Y*: 11.70%

SDVY

• 1D: 0.96%
• 1M: 2.52%
• YTD: 12.78%
• 6M: 10.16%
• 1Y: 25.38%
• 3Y*: 18.17%
• 5Y*: 9.97%
• 10Y*: —

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

EZM vs. SDVY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EZM WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Earnings Fund	13.31%	8.42%	10.29%	19.69%	-12.22%	31.00%	5.57%	24.48%	-12.36%	5.27%
SDVY First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	12.78%	8.83%	11.19%	28.58%	-11.98%	29.13%	11.72%	25.62%	-15.26%	5.62%

Correlation

The correlation between EZM and SDVY 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 (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2017	0.89

The correlation between EZM and SDVY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

EZM vs. SDVY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EZM	SDVY
Financial Services	19.0%	33.3%
Industrials	16.4%	29.3%
Consumer Cyclical	15.2%	8.6%
Technology	13.6%	8.6%
Healthcare	9.9%	3.4%
Energy	6.4%	2.9%
Consumer Defensive	5.1%	5.2%
Real Estate	5.0%	0.6%
Basic Materials	4.4%	4.6%
Utilities	3.2%	0.6%
Communication Services	1.9%	2.3%

Return for Risk

EZM vs. SDVY — Risk / Return Rank

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

EZM

EZM Risk / Return Rank: 61
EZM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
EZM Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
EZM Omega Ratio Rank: 54
EZM Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
EZM Martin Ratio Rank: 63

SDVY

SDVY Risk / Return Rank: 59
SDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
SDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
SDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 53
SDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
SDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

EZM vs. SDVY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Earnings Fund (EZM) and First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY). 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.

	EZM	SDVY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	1.66	+0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.57	2.52	+0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.29	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.93	2.75	+0.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.93	9.43	+0.50

EZM vs. SDVY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EZM Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is comparable to the SDVY Sharpe Ratio of 1.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EZM and SDVY, 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

EZM vs. SDVY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EZM drawdown since its inception was -59.58%, which is greater than SDVY's maximum drawdown of -44.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EZM and SDVY.

Drawdown Indicators

	EZM	SDVY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.58%	-44.70%	-14.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.70%	-9.28%	+0.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.53%	-25.92%	+2.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.53%	-25.92%	+2.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.26%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.25%	-7.66%	-0.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.56%	2.70%	-0.14%

Volatility

EZM vs. SDVY - Volatility Comparison

WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Earnings Fund (EZM) and First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) have volatilities of 3.89% and 3.77%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EZM	SDVY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.89%	3.77%	+0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.54%	11.00%	-0.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.04%	15.37%	-0.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.40%	20.96%	-0.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.32%	24.76%	-2.44%

EZM vs. SDVY - Expense Ratio Comparison

EZM has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is lower than SDVY's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

EZM vs. SDVY - Dividend Comparison

EZM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.22%, less than SDVY's 1.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EZM WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Earnings Fund	1.22%	1.39%	1.22%	1.25%	1.57%	1.08%	1.67%	1.34%	1.57%	1.14%	1.55%	1.30%
SDVY First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	1.36%	1.69%	1.60%	1.90%	2.28%	1.09%	1.48%	1.69%	1.57%	0.29%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EZM and SDVY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, EZM and SDVY 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 is riskier, EZM or SDVY?

EZM has higher volatility (3.89%) compared to SDVY (3.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EZM dropped -59.58% vs SDVY's -44.70%.

Which ETF is better, EZM or SDVY?

On 5-year performance, SDVY leads with 9.97% vs 8.77% for EZM. On fees, EZM is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, SDVY has been the lower-risk option at 3.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EZM or SDVY?

Over the 5-year period, SDVY has performed better with a 9.97% return vs 8.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EZM or SDVY?

EZM is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for SDVY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EZM or SDVY?

SDVY has the higher dividend yield at 1.36%, compared with 1.22% for EZM.

What is the main difference between EZM and SDVY?

EZM is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while SDVY is Small Cap Blend Equities. EZM tracks WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Index, while SDVY tracks NASDAQ US Small Mid Cap Rising Dividend Achievers™ Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for EZM and 0.60% for SDVY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EZM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 1.66), 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.