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FNK vs. SMIG
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FNK vs. SMIG

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FNK (First Trust Mid Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund) and SMIG (Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income Growth ETF) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds. FNK is passively managed, while SMIG is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, FNK returned 13.38%/yr vs 13.57%/yr for SMIG. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FNK charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for SMIG.

Performance

FNK vs. SMIG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Mid Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FNK) and Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income Growth ETF (SMIG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FNK achieves a 9.10% return, which is significantly lower than SMIG's 12.95% return.

FNK

1D
0.42%
1M
1.97%
YTD
9.10%
6M
8.06%
1Y
20.05%
3Y*
13.38%
5Y*
8.07%
10Y*
9.93%

SMIG

1D
-0.15%
1M
1.34%
YTD
12.95%
6M
11.75%
1Y
14.54%
3Y*
13.57%
5Y*
—
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FNK vs. SMIG - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021
FNK
First Trust Mid Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund		9.10%5.65%6.65%21.03%-7.24%3.73%
SMIG
Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income Growth ETF		12.95%0.78%17.63%13.62%-11.83%5.23%

Correlation

The correlation between FNK and SMIG is 0.85, 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

0.85

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.88

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 26, 2021

0.90

The correlation between FNK and SMIG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

FNK vs. SMIG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FNK
SMIG

Financial Services

25.8%
21.1%

Consumer Cyclical

20.3%
13.5%

Industrials

10.7%
18.2%

Energy

9.3%
10.4%

Real Estate

9.0%
9.8%

Technology

7.7%
10.7%

Utilities

4.3%
9.8%

Healthcare

3.9%
2.7%

Basic Materials

3.8%
2.0%

Consumer Defensive

3.7%
1.9%

Communication Services

1.4%
2.2%

Financial Services

FNK
25.8%
SMIG
21.1%

Consumer Cyclical

FNK
20.3%
SMIG
13.5%

Industrials

FNK
10.7%
SMIG
18.2%

Energy

FNK
9.3%
SMIG
10.4%

Real Estate

FNK
9.0%
SMIG
9.8%

Technology

FNK
7.7%
SMIG
10.7%

Utilities

FNK
4.3%
SMIG
9.8%

Healthcare

FNK
3.9%
SMIG
2.7%

Basic Materials

FNK
3.8%
SMIG
2.0%

Consumer Defensive

FNK
3.7%
SMIG
1.9%

Communication Services

FNK
1.4%
SMIG
2.2%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

First Trust Mid Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund

Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income Growth ETF

Often compared with FNK:
FNK vs. MDYVFNK vs. FNCMXFNK vs. GETGXFNK vs. FLQMFNK vs. VOEFNK vs. VOOFNK vs. DISV
Often compared with SMIG:
SMIG vs. SFLOSMIG vs. WASMXSMIG vs. AVUVSMIG vs. REGLSMIG vs. SMMDSMIG vs. RWJSMIG vs. FMDE

Return for Risk

FNK vs. SMIG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FNK
FNK Risk / Return Rank: 4242
Overall Rank
FNK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4040
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FNK Sortino Ratio Rank: 4343
Sortino Ratio Rank
FNK Omega Ratio Rank: 3838
Omega Ratio Rank
FNK Calmar Ratio Rank: 4848
Calmar Ratio Rank
FNK Martin Ratio Rank: 4242
Martin Ratio Rank
SMIG
SMIG Risk / Return Rank: 3636
Overall Rank
SMIG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3737
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SMIG Sortino Ratio Rank: 3838
Sortino Ratio Rank
SMIG Omega Ratio Rank: 3434
Omega Ratio Rank
SMIG Calmar Ratio Rank: 3737
Calmar Ratio Rank
SMIG Martin Ratio Rank: 3232
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

FNK vs. SMIG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Mid Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FNK) and Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income Growth ETF (SMIG). 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.

FNKSMIGDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.32
1.22

+0.10

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.06
1.86

+0.20

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.24

1.21

+0.03

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.21

1.71

+0.49

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

6.37

4.45

+1.92

FNK vs. SMIG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FNK Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is comparable to the SMIG Sharpe Ratio of 1.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FNK and SMIG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

FNK vs. SMIG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FNK drawdown since its inception was -50.70%, which is greater than SMIG's maximum drawdown of -19.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FNK and SMIG.

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Drawdown Indicators

FNKSMIGDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-50.70%

-19.65%

-31.05%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.13%

-8.52%

-0.61%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-25.16%

-19.23%

-5.93%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.16%

—

—

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-50.70%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.61%

-0.15%

-1.46%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.82%

-6.48%

-0.34%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.16%

3.27%

-0.11%

Volatility

FNK vs. SMIG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Mid Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FNK) is 3.37%, while Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income Growth ETF (SMIG) has a volatility of 3.60%. This indicates that FNK experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMIG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

FNKSMIGDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.37%

3.60%

-0.23%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.68%

8.48%

+1.20%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.27%

12.05%

+3.22%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

21.00%

16.16%

+4.84%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

23.83%

16.16%

+7.67%

FNK vs. SMIG - Expense Ratio Comparison

FNK has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than SMIG's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

FNK vs. SMIG - Dividend Comparison

FNK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.54%, less than SMIG's 1.71% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FNK
First Trust Mid Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund		1.54%1.53%1.63%1.76%1.66%1.27%1.61%1.82%1.76%1.40%1.38%1.45%
SMIG
Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income Growth ETF		1.71%1.82%1.75%1.91%2.00%0.50%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

FNK and SMIG have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SMIG has higher volatility (3.60%) compared to FNK (3.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FNK dropped -50.70% vs SMIG's -19.65%.

On 3-year performance, SMIG leads with 13.57% vs 13.38% for FNK. On fees, SMIG is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FNK has been the lower-risk option at 3.37%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 3-year period, SMIG has performed better with a 13.57% return vs 13.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

SMIG is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for FNK.

SMIG has the higher dividend yield at 1.71%, compared with 1.54% for FNK.

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Bahl & Gaynor. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for FNK and 0.60% for SMIG.

FNK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.32 vs 1.22), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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