FESM vs. FYX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FESM (Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF) and FYX (First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. FESM is actively managed, while FYX is passively managed. Over the past year, FESM returned 46.73% vs 43.61% for FYX. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FESM charges 0.28%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for FYX.

Performance

FESM vs. FYX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF (FESM) and First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FYX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FESM achieves a 19.64% return, which is significantly higher than FYX's 18.13% return.

FESM

• 1D: -1.51%
• 1M: 3.13%
• YTD: 19.64%
• 6M: 19.11%
• 1Y: 46.73%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FYX

• 1D: -1.34%
• 1M: 1.06%
• YTD: 18.13%
• 6M: 18.02%
• 1Y: 43.61%
• 3Y*: 20.01%
• 5Y*: 8.23%
• 10Y*: 12.27%

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

FESM vs. FYX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
FESM Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF	19.64%	17.88%	16.22%	12.19%
FYX First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund	18.13%	12.68%	12.22%	11.57%

Correlation

The correlation between FESM and FYX is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 21, 2023	0.95

The correlation between FESM and FYX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

FESM vs. FYX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FESM	FYX
Technology	21.6%	10.9%
Industrials	19.1%	15.9%
Healthcare	15.7%	14.3%
Financial Services	14.8%	17.5%
Consumer Cyclical	7.4%	11.7%
Energy	7.2%	6.4%
Real Estate	4.2%	8.4%
Basic Materials	3.5%	4.5%
Communication Services	3.1%	3.1%
Utilities	2.0%	1.6%
Consumer Defensive	1.4%	5.7%

Return for Risk

FESM vs. FYX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FESM

FESM Risk / Return Rank: 76
FESM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
FESM Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
FESM Omega Ratio Rank: 66
FESM Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
FESM Martin Ratio Rank: 82

FYX

FYX Risk / Return Rank: 79
FYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
FYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
FYX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
FYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
FYX 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.

FESM vs. FYX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF (FESM) and First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FYX). 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.

	FESM	FYX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.48	2.41	+0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.34	3.43	-0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.40	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.61	5.80	-1.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.60	18.69	-2.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FESM vs. FYX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FESM Sharpe Ratio is 2.48, which is comparable to the FYX Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FESM and FYX, 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

	FESM	FYX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.48	2.41	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.38	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.51	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.29	0.36	+0.93

Drawdowns

FESM vs. FYX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FESM drawdown since its inception was -26.93%, smaller than the maximum FYX drawdown of -61.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FESM and FYX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FESM	FYX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.93%	-61.80%	+34.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.18%	-7.56%	-2.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-27.91%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.91%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-48.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.59%	-1.48%	-0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.79%	-10.89%	+6.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.82%	2.34%	+0.48%

Volatility

FESM vs. FYX - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF (FESM) has a higher volatility of 5.64% compared to First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FYX) at 4.71%. This indicates that FESM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FYX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FESM	FYX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.64%	4.71%	+0.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.32%	12.03%	+1.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.98%	18.28%	+0.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.26%	21.96%	-0.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.26%	24.21%	-2.95%

FESM vs. FYX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FESM has a 0.28% expense ratio, which is lower than FYX's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

FESM vs. FYX - Dividend Comparison

FESM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.53%, less than FYX's 0.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FESM Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF	0.53%	0.82%	1.08%	0.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FYX First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund	0.69%	0.64%	1.62%	1.22%	0.95%	0.99%	0.65%	1.12%	1.08%	0.60%	0.94%	0.88%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FESM and FYX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, FESM and FYX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FESM or FYX?

FESM has higher volatility (5.64%) compared to FYX (4.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FESM dropped -26.93% vs FYX's -61.80%.

Which ETF is better, FESM or FYX?

On 1-year performance, FESM leads with 46.73% vs 43.61% for FYX. On fees, FESM is cheaper at 0.28% per year. On volatility, FYX has been the lower-risk option at 4.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FESM or FYX?

Over the 1-year period, FESM has performed better with a 46.73% return vs 43.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FESM or FYX?

FESM is cheaper with a 0.28% expense ratio, compared with 0.63% for FYX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FESM or FYX?

FYX has the higher dividend yield at 0.69%, compared with 0.53% for FESM.

What is the main difference between FESM and FYX?

They also come from different issuers: Fidelity and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.28% for FESM and 0.63% for FYX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FESM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 2.41), 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.