FAB vs. FOVL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FAB (First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund) and FOVL (iShares Focused Value Factor ETF) are both Mid Cap Value Equities funds - FAB tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Multi Cap Value Index while FOVL tracks the MSCI USA IMI Focused Value Factor Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FAB charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for FOVL.

Performance

FAB vs. FOVL - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

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%

FOVL

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FAB vs. FOVL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
FAB First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	10.72%	9.86%	7.82%	15.81%	-6.79%	30.83%	2.40%	8.81%
FOVL iShares Focused Value Factor ETF	0.00%	6.43%	22.87%	17.72%	-9.39%	40.14%	-13.20%	6.22%

Correlation

The correlation between FAB and FOVL is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 22, 2019	0.89

Over the past year, the correlation between FAB and FOVL has dropped to 0.36 - well below their long-term average of 0.89, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FAB vs. FOVL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FAB	FOVL
Financial Services	23.9%	44.6%
Consumer Cyclical	13.9%	5.2%
Industrials	12.0%	12.8%
Energy	8.3%	7.7%
Technology	7.9%	5.0%
Real Estate	7.7%	2.6%
Healthcare	7.1%	4.9%
Utilities	6.2%	7.5%
Consumer Defensive	5.9%	5.0%
Basic Materials	3.9%	-
Communication Services	2.7%	4.7%

Return for Risk

FAB vs. FOVL — Risk / Return Rank

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

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.

FAB vs. FOVL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FAB) and iShares Focused Value Factor ETF (FOVL). 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.

	FAB	FOVL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.91	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.92	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.94	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.25	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FAB	FOVL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.91	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	—	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	FAB	FOVL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.29%	—	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.65%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.91%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.91%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.08%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.98%	—	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.25%	—	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.14%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	FAB	FOVL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.15%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.64%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.81%	—	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.72%	—	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.06%	—	—

FAB vs. FOVL - Expense Ratio Comparison

FAB has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than FOVL's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

FAB vs. FOVL - Dividend Comparison

FAB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.59%, more than FOVL's 0.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
FOVL iShares Focused Value Factor ETF	0.55%	1.36%	2.08%	2.59%	3.38%	2.80%	2.88%	2.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FAB and FOVL in my portfolio?

FAB and FOVL have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, FAB or FOVL?

On fees, FOVL is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, FAB or FOVL?

FOVL is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.64% for FAB.

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

FAB has the higher dividend yield at 1.59%, compared with 0.55% for FOVL.

What is the main difference between FAB and FOVL?

FAB tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Multi Cap Value Index, while FOVL tracks MSCI USA IMI Focused Value Factor Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.64% for FAB and 0.25% for FOVL.