FDM vs. BRSIX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FDM (First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund) and BRSIX (Bridgeway Ultra Small Company Market Fund) are both funds - FDM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Select Microcap Index, while BRSIX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by Bridgeway. Over the past 10 years, FDM returned 11.66%/yr vs 8.49%/yr for BRSIX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FDM charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for BRSIX.

Performance

FDM vs. BRSIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund (FDM) and Bridgeway Ultra Small Company Market Fund (BRSIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDM achieves a 9.82% return, which is significantly lower than BRSIX's 20.38% return. Over the past 10 years, FDM has outperformed BRSIX with an annualized return of 11.66%, while BRSIX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.49% annualized return.

FDM

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: -2.23%
• YTD: 9.82%
• 6M: 12.70%
• 1Y: 32.32%
• 3Y*: 18.88%
• 5Y*: 8.84%
• 10Y*: 11.66%

BRSIX

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: 5.60%
• YTD: 20.38%
• 6M: 26.97%
• 1Y: 63.69%
• 3Y*: 21.70%
• 5Y*: 0.15%
• 10Y*: 8.49%

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

FDM vs. BRSIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FDM First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund	9.82%	18.64%	13.00%	12.76%	-11.61%	35.08%	-4.04%	27.45%	-13.53%	8.72%
BRSIX Bridgeway Ultra Small Company Market Fund	20.38%	20.09%	14.92%	11.46%	-23.43%	-1.93%	25.50%	15.34%	-17.23%	12.29%

Correlation

The correlation between FDM and BRSIX is 0.76, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 3, 2005	0.87

The correlation between FDM and BRSIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.76 (1 year) to 0.87 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FDM vs. BRSIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDM

FDM Risk / Return Rank: 55
FDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
FDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
FDM Omega Ratio Rank: 47
FDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
FDM Martin Ratio Rank: 59

BRSIX

BRSIX Risk / Return Rank: 79
BRSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
BRSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
BRSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
BRSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
BRSIX 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.

FDM vs. BRSIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund (FDM) and Bridgeway Ultra Small Company Market Fund (BRSIX). 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.

	FDM	BRSIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.73	2.76	-1.03
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.52	3.57	-1.06
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.42	-0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.47	5.49	-2.01
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.59	16.92	-6.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FDM vs. BRSIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDM Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is lower than the BRSIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDM and BRSIX, 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

	FDM	BRSIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.73	2.76	-1.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	0.01	+0.41
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	0.35	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.44	-0.10

Drawdowns

FDM vs. BRSIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDM drawdown since its inception was -63.45%, roughly equal to the maximum BRSIX drawdown of -61.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDM and BRSIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDM	BRSIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.45%	-61.79%	-1.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.30%	-11.46%	+2.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.47%	-30.80%	+7.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.74%	-53.66%	+29.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.76%	-54.09%	+6.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.23%	-2.24%	+0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.35%	-15.64%	+4.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.05%	3.71%	-0.66%

Volatility

FDM vs. BRSIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund (FDM) is 4.22%, while Bridgeway Ultra Small Company Market Fund (BRSIX) has a volatility of 5.55%. This indicates that FDM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BRSIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FDM	BRSIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.22%	5.55%	-1.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.03%	15.34%	-2.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.77%	23.46%	-4.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.37%	24.42%	-3.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.35%	24.11%	-0.76%

FDM vs. BRSIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDM has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than BRSIX's 0.78% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDM vs. BRSIX - Dividend Comparison

FDM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.25%, more than BRSIX's 0.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BRSIX Bridgeway Ultra Small Company Market Fund	0.85%	1.03%	0.62%	0.89%	2.12%	1.32%	3.46%	1.30%	16.12%	13.71%	8.25%	12.77%
FDM First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund	1.25%	1.43%	1.56%	1.81%	1.80%	1.08%	1.68%	1.37%	1.26%	0.97%	1.13%	1.45%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FDM and BRSIX in my portfolio?

FDM and BRSIX have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FDM or BRSIX?

BRSIX has higher volatility (5.55%) compared to FDM (4.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDM dropped -63.45% vs BRSIX's -61.79%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BRSIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.76 vs 1.73), 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.