FNDA vs. FDM

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Schwab Fundamental US Small Co. Index ETF (FNDA) and First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund (FDM).

FNDA and FDM are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. FNDA is a passively managed fund by Charles Schwab that tracks the performance of the Russell RAFI Small Company US. It was launched on Aug 15, 2013. FDM is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the Dow Jones Select Microcap Index. It was launched on Sep 27, 2005. Both FNDA and FDM are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

FNDA vs. FDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Fundamental US Small Co. Index ETF (FNDA) and First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund (FDM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

FNDA vs. FDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FNDA Schwab Fundamental US Small Co. Index ETF	3.11%	7.44%	9.00%	20.29%	-14.83%	31.12%	8.44%	24.34%	-12.12%	12.68%
FDM First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund	3.39%	18.64%	13.00%	12.76%	-11.61%	35.08%	-4.04%	27.45%	-13.53%	8.72%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FNDA achieves a 3.11% return, which is significantly lower than FDM's 3.39% return. Over the past 10 years, FNDA has underperformed FDM with an annualized return of 10.01%, while FDM has yielded a comparatively higher 11.22% annualized return.

FNDA

• 1D: 2.59%
• 1M: -5.58%
• YTD: 3.11%
• 6M: 4.77%
• 1Y: 19.91%
• 3Y*: 11.61%
• 5Y*: 6.25%
• 10Y*: 10.01%

FDM

• 1D: 1.32%
• 1M: -3.24%
• YTD: 3.39%
• 6M: 9.17%
• 1Y: 33.86%
• 3Y*: 17.23%
• 5Y*: 7.95%
• 10Y*: 11.22%

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

FNDA vs. FDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

FNDA has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than FDM's 0.60% expense ratio.

FDM

First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund

FNDA

Schwab Fundamental US Small Co. Index ETF

Return for Risk

FNDA vs. FDM — Risk / Return Rank

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

FNDA

FNDA Risk / Return Rank: 56
FNDA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
FNDA Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
FNDA Omega Ratio Rank: 51
FNDA Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
FNDA Martin Ratio Rank: 57

FDM

FDM Risk / Return Rank: 83
FDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
FDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
FDM Omega Ratio Rank: 78
FDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
FDM Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

FNDA vs. FDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Fundamental US Small Co. Index ETF (FNDA) and First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund (FDM). 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.

	FNDA	FDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.91	1.53	-0.62
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.41	2.22	-0.81
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.29	-0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.40	2.78	-1.38
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.33	9.61	-4.27
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FNDA vs. FDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FNDA Sharpe Ratio is 0.91, which is lower than the FDM Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FNDA and FDM, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FNDA	FDM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91	1.53	-0.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30	0.37	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.48	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.34	+0.11

Correlation

The correlation between FNDA and FDM is 0.90, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

FNDA vs. FDM - Dividend Comparison

FNDA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.21%, less than FDM's 1.33% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FNDA Schwab Fundamental US Small Co. Index ETF	1.21%	1.22%	1.53%	1.37%	1.38%	1.15%	1.31%	1.38%	1.64%	1.30%	1.18%	1.33%
FDM First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund	1.33%	1.43%	1.56%	1.81%	1.80%	1.08%	1.68%	1.37%	1.26%	0.97%	1.13%	1.45%

Drawdowns

FNDA vs. FDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FNDA drawdown since its inception was -44.64%, smaller than the maximum FDM drawdown of -63.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FNDA and FDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	FNDA	FDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.64%	-63.45%	+18.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.42%	-11.99%	-2.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.92%	-23.74%	-2.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.64%	-47.76%	+3.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.96%	-5.74%	-1.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.76%	-11.43%	+4.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.77%	3.46%	+0.31%

Volatility

FNDA vs. FDM - Volatility Comparison

Schwab Fundamental US Small Co. Index ETF (FNDA) and First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund (FDM) have volatilities of 6.37% and 6.37%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FNDA	FDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.37%	6.37%	0.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.74%	14.17%	-1.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.04%	22.29%	-0.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.01%	21.53%	-0.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.36%	23.33%	-0.97%