FCFY vs. ABEQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FCFY (First Trust S&P 500 Diversified Free Cash Flow ETF) and ABEQ (Absolute Select Value ETF) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. FCFY is passively managed, while ABEQ is actively managed. Over the past year, FCFY returned 20.70% vs 8.87% for ABEQ. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FCFY charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for ABEQ.

Performance

FCFY vs. ABEQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust S&P 500 Diversified Free Cash Flow ETF (FCFY) and Absolute Select Value ETF (ABEQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FCFY achieves a 3.09% return, which is significantly lower than ABEQ's 3.44% return.

FCFY

• 1D: -1.02%
• 1M: 5.88%
• YTD: 3.09%
• 6M: 4.54%
• 1Y: 20.70%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ABEQ

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: -0.34%
• YTD: 3.44%
• 6M: 3.43%
• 1Y: 8.87%
• 3Y*: 11.57%
• 5Y*: 7.06%
• 10Y*: —

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

FCFY vs. ABEQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
FCFY First Trust S&P 500 Diversified Free Cash Flow ETF	3.09%	16.76%	11.28%	11.06%
ABEQ Absolute Select Value ETF	3.44%	15.32%	12.68%	3.40%

Correlation

The correlation between FCFY and ABEQ is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 25, 2023	0.59

The correlation between FCFY and ABEQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.48 (1 year) to 0.59 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FCFY vs. ABEQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FCFY	ABEQ
Technology	37.4%	4.4%
Financial Services	11.5%	24.8%
Communication Services	10.3%	3.0%
Healthcare	10.1%	7.2%
Consumer Cyclical	9.8%	-
Industrials	5.8%	8.3%
Consumer Defensive	5.1%	10.9%
Energy	4.0%	10.3%
Utilities	2.5%	1.4%
Real Estate	1.9%	-
Basic Materials	1.7%	17.0%

Return for Risk

FCFY vs. ABEQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

FCFY

FCFY Risk / Return Rank: 34
FCFY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
FCFY Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
FCFY Omega Ratio Rank: 34
FCFY Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
FCFY Martin Ratio Rank: 31

ABEQ

ABEQ Risk / Return Rank: 25
ABEQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
ABEQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
ABEQ Omega Ratio Rank: 26
ABEQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
ABEQ Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

FCFY vs. ABEQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust S&P 500 Diversified Free Cash Flow ETF (FCFY) and Absolute Select Value ETF (ABEQ). 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.

	FCFY	ABEQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.28	1.00	+0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.88	1.46	+0.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.18	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.74	1.13	+0.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.64	2.78	+1.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FCFY vs. ABEQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FCFY Sharpe Ratio is 1.28, which is comparable to the ABEQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FCFY and ABEQ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FCFY	ABEQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.28	1.00	+0.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.66	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	0.56	+0.32

Drawdowns

FCFY vs. ABEQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCFY drawdown since its inception was -21.36%, smaller than the maximum ABEQ drawdown of -27.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCFY and ABEQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCFY	ABEQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.36%	-27.82%	+6.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.94%	-7.89%	-4.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-7.95%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-17.26%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.17%	-7.43%	+5.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.50%	-4.07%	+0.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.47%	3.20%	+1.27%

Volatility

FCFY vs. ABEQ - Volatility Comparison

First Trust S&P 500 Diversified Free Cash Flow ETF (FCFY) has a higher volatility of 4.72% compared to Absolute Select Value ETF (ABEQ) at 1.98%. This indicates that FCFY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ABEQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FCFY	ABEQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.72%	1.98%	+2.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.29%	6.69%	+4.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.39%	8.91%	+7.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.54%	10.81%	+6.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.54%	13.84%	+3.70%

FCFY vs. ABEQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

FCFY has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than ABEQ's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

FCFY vs. ABEQ - Dividend Comparison

FCFY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.43%, more than ABEQ's 1.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
ABEQ Absolute Select Value ETF	1.21%	1.25%	1.48%	2.60%	1.20%	0.60%	0.60%
FCFY First Trust S&P 500 Diversified Free Cash Flow ETF	1.43%	1.48%	1.76%	0.73%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FCFY and ABEQ in my portfolio?

FCFY and ABEQ have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FCFY or ABEQ?

FCFY has higher volatility (4.72%) compared to ABEQ (1.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FCFY dropped -21.36% vs ABEQ's -27.82%.

Which ETF is better, FCFY or ABEQ?

On 1-year performance, FCFY leads with 20.70% vs 8.87% for ABEQ. On fees, FCFY is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, ABEQ has been the lower-risk option at 1.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FCFY or ABEQ?

Over the 1-year period, FCFY has performed better with a 20.70% return vs 8.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FCFY or ABEQ?

FCFY is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for ABEQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FCFY or ABEQ?

FCFY has the higher dividend yield at 1.43%, compared with 1.21% for ABEQ.

What is the main difference between FCFY and ABEQ?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Absolute Investment Advisers LLC. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FCFY and 0.85% for ABEQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FCFY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.28 vs 1.00), 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.