FAB vs. RDVY

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

FAB (First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund) and RDVY (First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FAB is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Multi Cap Value Index, while RDVY is a Dividend fund tracking the Nasdaq US Rising Dividend Achievers Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FAB returned 10.90%/yr vs 16.08%/yr for RDVY. Their correlation of 0.86 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FAB charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for RDVY.

Performance

FAB vs. RDVY - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FAB achieves a 20.06% return, which is significantly higher than RDVY's 18.21% return. Over the past 10 years, FAB has underperformed RDVY with an annualized return of 10.90%, while RDVY has yielded a comparatively higher 16.08% annualized return.

FAB

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: 3.54%
• 6M: 13.45%
• YTD: 20.06%
• 1Y: 33.22%
• 3Y*: 14.52%
• 5Y*: 10.61%
• 10Y*: 10.90%
• ALL TIME*: 8.47%

RDVY

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: 2.01%
• 6M: 12.29%
• YTD: 18.21%
• 1Y: 31.80%
• 3Y*: 20.39%
• 5Y*: 13.07%
• 10Y*: 16.08%
• ALL TIME*: 13.82%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FAB First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	$2.56M	$3.08M	$1.18M
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	$79.27M	$78.43M	$84.11M

FAB vs. RDVY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FAB First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	20.06%	9.86%	7.82%	15.81%	-6.79%	30.83%	2.40%	23.73%	-14.62%	14.62%
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	18.21%	18.90%	16.41%	20.38%	-13.27%	31.14%	13.47%	37.71%	-9.92%	22.75%

Correlation

The correlation between FAB and RDVY is 0.65, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 7, 2014	0.86

Over the past year, the correlation between FAB and RDVY has dropped to 0.65 - well below their long-term average of 0.86, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FAB vs. RDVY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FAB	RDVY
Financial Services	24.3%	38.9%
Consumer Cyclical	14.1%	11.1%
Industrials	10.5%	12.5%
Real Estate	8.7%	-
Energy	8.4%	2.8%
Healthcare	7.4%	5.6%
Technology	7.2%	19.4%
Utilities	7.1%	1.4%
Consumer Defensive	5.7%	2.8%
Basic Materials	3.5%	-
Communication Services	3.1%	4.2%

Return for Risk

FAB vs. RDVY — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FAB

FAB Risk / Return Rank: 92
FAB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
FAB Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
FAB Omega Ratio Rank: 90
FAB Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
FAB Martin Ratio Rank: 92

RDVY

RDVY Risk / Return Rank: 88
RDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
RDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
RDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 85
RDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
RDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 90

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FAB vs. RDVY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FAB) and First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY). 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.

	FAB	RDVY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	2.19	+0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.77	3.10	+0.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.38	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.02	3.54	+1.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.57	14.83	+1.74

FAB vs. RDVY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FAB Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is comparable to the RDVY Sharpe Ratio of 2.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FAB and RDVY, 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

FAB vs. RDVY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAB drawdown since its inception was -63.29%, which is greater than RDVY's maximum drawdown of -40.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAB and RDVY.

Drawdown Indicators

	FAB	RDVY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.29%	-40.60%	-22.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.65%	-9.04%	+2.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.91%	-19.11%	-3.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.91%	-25.32%	+2.41%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.08%	-40.60%	-6.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.63%	0.00%	-0.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.18%	-4.95%	-4.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.01%	2.15%	-0.14%

Volatility

FAB vs. RDVY - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FAB) has a higher volatility of 3.84% compared to First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) at 3.55%. This indicates that FAB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RDVY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FAB	RDVY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.84%	3.55%	+0.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.70%	11.40%	-2.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.31%	14.64%	-1.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.61%	18.93%	-0.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.96%	21.03%	+0.93%

FAB vs. RDVY - Expense Ratio Comparison

FAB has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than RDVY's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

FAB vs. RDVY - Dividend Comparison

FAB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.51%, more than RDVY's 0.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FAB First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	1.51%	1.57%	2.00%	1.94%	1.80%	1.32%	1.59%	1.75%	1.96%	1.42%	1.40%	1.62%
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	0.83%	1.11%	1.64%	2.09%	2.21%	1.04%	1.53%	1.55%	1.68%	1.25%	2.07%	2.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FAB and RDVY in my portfolio?

FAB and RDVY have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FAB or RDVY?

FAB has higher volatility (3.84%) compared to RDVY (3.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAB dropped -63.29% vs RDVY's -40.60%.

Which ETF is better, FAB or RDVY?

On 10-year performance, RDVY leads with 16.08% vs 10.90% for FAB. On fees, RDVY is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, RDVY has been the lower-risk option at 3.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FAB or RDVY?

Over the 10-year period, RDVY has performed better with a 16.08% return vs 10.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FAB or RDVY?

RDVY is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.64% for FAB.

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

FAB has the higher dividend yield at 1.51%, compared with 0.83% for RDVY.

What is the main difference between FAB and RDVY?

FAB is categorized as Mid Cap Value Equities, while RDVY is Dividend. FAB tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Multi Cap Value Index, while RDVY tracks Nasdaq US Rising Dividend Achievers Index. Their fees differ too: 0.64% for FAB and 0.47% for RDVY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 2.19), 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.