FDUAX vs. FESCX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FDUAX (First Eagle Short Duration High Yield Municipal Fund Class A) and FESCX (First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund) are both mutual funds - FDUAX is a High Yield Muni fund actively managed by First Eagle, while FESCX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by First Eagle. Over the past year, FDUAX returned 2.49% vs 49.95% for FESCX. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FDUAX charges 0.87%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for FESCX.

Performance

FDUAX vs. FESCX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Eagle Short Duration High Yield Municipal Fund Class A (FDUAX) and First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund (FESCX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDUAX achieves a 1.83% return, which is significantly lower than FESCX's 25.67% return.

FDUAX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 0.96%
• YTD: 1.83%
• 6M: 2.08%
• 1Y: 2.49%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FESCX

• 1D: 1.67%
• 1M: 5.12%
• YTD: 25.67%
• 6M: 25.34%
• 1Y: 49.95%
• 3Y*: 18.73%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FDUAX vs. FESCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FDUAX First Eagle Short Duration High Yield Municipal Fund Class A	1.83%	1.20%	6.66%
FESCX First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund	25.67%	13.33%	12.40%

Correlation

The correlation between FDUAX and FESCX is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 18, 2024	0.13

Return for Risk

FDUAX vs. FESCX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDUAX

FDUAX Risk / Return Rank: 10
FDUAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
FDUAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
FDUAX Omega Ratio Rank: 15
FDUAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
FDUAX Martin Ratio Rank: 8

FESCX

FESCX Risk / Return Rank: 83
FESCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
FESCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
FESCX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
FESCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
FESCX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

FDUAX vs. FESCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Eagle Short Duration High Yield Municipal Fund Class A (FDUAX) and First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund (FESCX). 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.

	FDUAX	FESCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.78	2.77	-1.98
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.09	3.78	-2.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.46	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.73	5.20	-4.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.26	18.79	-16.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FDUAX vs. FESCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDUAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.78, which is lower than the FESCX Sharpe Ratio of 2.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDUAX and FESCX, 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

	FDUAX	FESCX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78	2.77	-1.98
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.25	0.41	+0.84

Drawdowns

FDUAX vs. FESCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDUAX drawdown since its inception was -3.96%, smaller than the maximum FESCX drawdown of -28.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDUAX and FESCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDUAX	FESCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.96%	-28.53%	+24.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.43%	-10.26%	+6.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-28.53%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.72%	-8.84%	+8.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.10%	2.83%	-1.73%

Volatility

FDUAX vs. FESCX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Eagle Short Duration High Yield Municipal Fund Class A (FDUAX) is 0.81%, while First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund (FESCX) has a volatility of 5.54%. This indicates that FDUAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FESCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FDUAX	FESCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.81%	5.54%	-4.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.80%	13.54%	-11.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.19%	19.28%	-16.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.27%	22.66%	-19.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.27%	22.66%	-19.39%

FDUAX vs. FESCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDUAX has a 0.87% expense ratio, which is lower than FESCX's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDUAX vs. FESCX - Dividend Comparison

FDUAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.18%, more than FESCX's 0.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
FDUAX First Eagle Short Duration High Yield Municipal Fund Class A	5.18%	4.83%	3.84%	0.00%	0.00%
FESCX First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund	0.82%	1.03%	1.56%	0.60%	0.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FDUAX and FESCX in my portfolio?

FDUAX and FESCX have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FDUAX or FESCX?

FESCX has higher volatility (5.54%) compared to FDUAX (0.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDUAX dropped -3.96% vs FESCX's -28.53%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FESCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.77 vs 0.78), 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.