FEX vs. USMV

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

FEX (First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund) and USMV (iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - FEX tracks the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Large Cap Core Index while USMV tracks the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FEX returned 12.82%/yr vs 9.48%/yr for USMV. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FEX charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for USMV.

Performance

FEX vs. USMV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FEX) and iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FEX achieves a 15.66% return, which is significantly higher than USMV's 3.64% return. Over the past 10 years, FEX has outperformed USMV with an annualized return of 12.82%, while USMV has yielded a comparatively lower 9.48% annualized return.

FEX

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: -0.32%
• 6M: 11.83%
• YTD: 15.66%
• 1Y: 23.92%
• 3Y*: 18.38%
• 5Y*: 11.32%
• 10Y*: 12.82%

USMV

• 1D: -0.96%
• 1M: 1.18%
• 6M: 3.50%
• YTD: 3.64%
• 1Y: 5.50%
• 3Y*: 11.07%
• 5Y*: 6.93%
• 10Y*: 9.48%

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

FEX vs. USMV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FEX First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund	15.66%	15.05%	17.07%	14.31%	-11.86%	26.83%	14.28%	26.93%	-9.89%	21.41%
USMV iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF	3.64%	7.65%	15.74%	10.33%	-9.43%	20.85%	5.64%	27.69%	1.33%	18.91%

Correlation

The correlation between FEX and USMV is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2011	0.81

Over the past year, the correlation between FEX and USMV has dropped to 0.53 - well below their long-term average of 0.81, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FEX vs. USMV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FEX	USMV
Technology	22.2%	33.9%
Industrials	18.8%	6.1%
Financial Services	13.6%	11.7%
Healthcare	8.8%	12.6%
Consumer Cyclical	8.3%	5.7%
Utilities	7.0%	6.9%
Energy	5.6%	2.7%
Real Estate	4.5%	2.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	9.4%
Basic Materials	3.5%	2.4%
Communication Services	3.4%	6.2%

Return for Risk

FEX vs. USMV — Risk / Return Rank

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

FEX

FEX Risk / Return Rank: 75
FEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
FEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
FEX Omega Ratio Rank: 65
FEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
FEX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

USMV

USMV Risk / Return Rank: 22
USMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
USMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
USMV Omega Ratio Rank: 20
USMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
USMV Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

FEX vs. USMV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FEX) and iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV). 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.

	FEX	USMV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	0.65	+1.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.54	0.96	+1.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.11	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.86	0.86	+3.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.49	2.80	+10.70

FEX vs. USMV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is higher than the USMV Sharpe Ratio of 0.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FEX and USMV, 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

FEX vs. USMV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FEX drawdown since its inception was -58.81%, which is greater than USMV's maximum drawdown of -33.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FEX and USMV.

Drawdown Indicators

	FEX	USMV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.81%	-33.10%	-25.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.23%	-6.46%	+0.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.58%	-9.36%	-10.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.27%	-17.93%	-3.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.51%	-33.10%	-6.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.34%	-1.49%	-0.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.85%	-2.87%	-4.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.78%	1.97%	-0.19%

Volatility

FEX vs. USMV - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FEX) has a higher volatility of 3.92% compared to iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) at 2.75%. This indicates that FEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USMV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FEX	USMV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.92%	2.75%	+1.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.06%	6.30%	+3.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.34%	8.52%	+4.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.58%	12.37%	+4.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.56%	14.50%	+4.06%

FEX vs. USMV - Expense Ratio Comparison

FEX has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than USMV's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

FEX vs. USMV - Dividend Comparison

FEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, less than USMV's 1.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FEX First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund	0.95%	1.10%	1.18%	1.38%	1.61%	0.80%	1.21%	1.32%	1.34%	1.07%	1.29%	1.33%
USMV iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF	1.49%	1.49%	1.67%	1.82%	1.62%	1.26%	1.81%	1.88%	2.12%	1.77%	2.22%	2.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FEX and USMV in my portfolio?

FEX and USMV have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FEX or USMV?

FEX has higher volatility (3.92%) compared to USMV (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FEX dropped -58.81% vs USMV's -33.10%.

Which ETF is better, FEX or USMV?

On 10-year performance, FEX leads with 12.82% vs 9.48% for USMV. On fees, USMV is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, USMV has been the lower-risk option at 2.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FEX or USMV?

Over the 10-year period, FEX has performed better with a 12.82% return vs 9.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FEX or USMV?

USMV is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.57% for FEX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FEX or USMV?

USMV has the higher dividend yield at 1.49%, compared with 0.95% for FEX.

What is the main difference between FEX and USMV?

FEX tracks Nasdaq AlphaDEX Large Cap Core Index, while USMV tracks MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for FEX and 0.15% for USMV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs 0.65), 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.