FNDB vs. FTA

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FNDB (Schwab Fundamental U.S. Broad Market Index ETF) and FTA (First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds - FNDB tracks the RAFI Fundamental High Liquidity US All Index while FTA tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FNDB returned 14.03%/yr vs 11.60%/yr for FTA. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FNDB charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTA.

Performance

FNDB vs. FTA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Fundamental U.S. Broad Market Index ETF (FNDB) and First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with FNDB having a 17.51% return and FTA slightly higher at 18.18%. Over the past 10 years, FNDB has outperformed FTA with an annualized return of 14.03%, while FTA has yielded a comparatively lower 11.60% annualized return.

FNDB

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 1.21%
• 6M: 12.62%
• YTD: 17.51%
• 1Y: 32.18%
• 3Y*: 18.54%
• 5Y*: 13.39%
• 10Y*: 14.03%
• ALL TIME*: 12.99%

FTA

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 2.70%
• 6M: 12.86%
• YTD: 18.18%
• 1Y: 31.73%
• 3Y*: 15.29%
• 5Y*: 11.21%
• 10Y*: 11.60%
• ALL TIME*: 8.58%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FNDB Schwab Fundamental U.S. Broad Market Index ETF	$5.69M	$5.14M	$4.73M
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	$3.06M	$3.30M	$2.95M

FNDB vs. FTA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FNDB Schwab Fundamental U.S. Broad Market Index ETF	17.51%	16.23%	16.25%	18.42%	-7.53%	31.55%	9.40%	28.88%	-8.20%	16.94%
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	18.18%	14.94%	10.13%	10.08%	-3.73%	29.32%	-0.38%	24.73%	-13.63%	18.47%

Correlation

The correlation between FNDB and FTA is 0.77, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 15, 2013	0.93

The correlation between FNDB and FTA shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (1 year) to 0.93 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FNDB vs. FTA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FNDB	FTA
Technology	19.6%	7.3%
Financial Services	14.8%	23.2%
Healthcare	12.7%	10.2%
Industrials	10.3%	8.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.6%	9.3%
Communication Services	8.4%	4.6%
Energy	8.3%	9.2%
Consumer Defensive	7.2%	6.5%
Basic Materials	3.4%	3.2%
Utilities	3.2%	11.1%
Real Estate	2.5%	6.6%

Return for Risk

FNDB vs. FTA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FNDB

FNDB Risk / Return Rank: 95
FNDB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
FNDB Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
FNDB Omega Ratio Rank: 95
FNDB Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
FNDB Martin Ratio Rank: 95

FTA

FTA Risk / Return Rank: 94
FTA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
FTA Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
FTA Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FTA Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
FTA Martin Ratio Rank: 95

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FNDB vs. FTA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Fundamental U.S. Broad Market Index ETF (FNDB) and First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA). 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.

	FNDB	FTA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.83	2.63	+0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.92	3.90	+0.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.46	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.84	5.93	-1.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.07	20.26	-1.19

FNDB vs. FTA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FNDB Sharpe Ratio is 2.83, which is comparable to the FTA Sharpe Ratio of 2.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FNDB and FTA, 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

FNDB vs. FTA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FNDB drawdown since its inception was -38.17%, smaller than the maximum FTA drawdown of -62.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FNDB and FTA.

Drawdown Indicators

	FNDB	FTA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.17%	-62.45%	+24.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.29%	-5.13%	-1.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.83%	-18.73%	+1.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.29%	-19.80%	+0.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.17%	-44.97%	+6.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.43%	-1.56%	+1.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.62%	-8.97%	+5.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.60%	1.50%	+0.10%

Volatility

FNDB vs. FTA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab Fundamental U.S. Broad Market Index ETF (FNDB) is 2.32%, while First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) has a volatility of 3.93%. This indicates that FNDB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FNDB	FTA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.32%	3.93%	-1.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.65%	8.04%	-0.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.77%	11.61%	-0.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.23%	16.23%	-1.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.42%	19.85%	-2.43%

FNDB vs. FTA - Expense Ratio Comparison

FNDB has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than FTA's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

FNDB vs. FTA - Dividend Comparison

FNDB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.43%, less than FTA's 1.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FNDB Schwab Fundamental U.S. Broad Market Index ETF	1.43%	1.62%	1.74%	1.80%	1.98%	1.63%	2.15%	2.23%	2.41%	1.91%	2.06%	2.26%
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	1.61%	1.89%	2.02%	2.10%	2.15%	1.54%	2.03%	1.88%	2.28%	1.53%	1.56%	2.05%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FNDB and FTA in my portfolio?

FNDB and FTA have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FNDB or FTA?

FTA has higher volatility (3.93%) compared to FNDB (2.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FNDB dropped -38.17% vs FTA's -62.45%.

Which ETF is better, FNDB or FTA?

On 10-year performance, FNDB leads with 14.03% vs 11.60% for FTA. On fees, FNDB is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, FNDB has been the lower-risk option at 2.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FNDB or FTA?

Over the 10-year period, FNDB has performed better with a 14.03% return vs 11.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FNDB or FTA?

FNDB is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FNDB or FTA?

FTA has the higher dividend yield at 1.61%, compared with 1.43% for FNDB.

What is the main difference between FNDB and FTA?

FNDB tracks RAFI Fundamental High Liquidity US All Index, while FTA tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Value Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for FNDB and 0.60% for FTA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FNDB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.83 vs 2.63), 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.