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FPX vs. BSV
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FPX vs. BSV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FPX (First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF) and BSV (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - FPX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the IPOX-100 U.S. Index, while BSV is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 1–5 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FPX returned 14.65%/yr vs 1.95%/yr for BSV. At a correlation of -0.11, they often move in opposite directions. FPX charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BSV.

Performance

FPX vs. BSV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF (FPX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FPX achieves a 18.28% return, which is significantly higher than BSV's 0.29% return. Over the past 10 years, FPX has outperformed BSV with an annualized return of 14.65%, while BSV has yielded a comparatively lower 1.95% annualized return.

FPX

1D
-0.55%
1M
4.63%
YTD
18.28%
6M
18.02%
1Y
39.24%
3Y*
32.32%
5Y*
10.31%
10Y*
14.65%

BSV

1D
-0.08%
1M
0.06%
YTD
0.29%
6M
0.52%
1Y
3.68%
3Y*
4.41%
5Y*
1.62%
10Y*
1.95%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FPX vs. BSV - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FPX
First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF		18.28%37.62%24.75%22.26%-35.11%3.69%47.89%30.37%-8.35%27.03%
BSV
Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares		0.29%6.00%3.78%4.90%-5.49%-1.09%4.70%4.98%1.34%1.20%

Correlation

The correlation between FPX and BSV is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.13

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

0.12

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.11

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.03

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2007

-0.11

The correlation between FPX and BSV shifts across timeframes, from -0.11 (all time) to 0.13 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

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 US Equity Opportunities ETF

Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares

Often compared with FPX:
FPX vs. IPOFPX vs. SPYFPX vs. MSOSFPX vs. MJFPX vs. IBUYFPX vs. IUSGFPX vs. VOO
Often compared with BSV:
BSV vs. BNDBSV vs. VCSHBSV vs. SCHOBSV vs. SHYBSV vs. VUSBBSV vs. VBIRXBSV vs. ISTB

Return for Risk

FPX vs. BSV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FPX
FPX Risk / Return Rank: 5252
Overall Rank
FPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4949
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4444
Sortino Ratio Rank
FPX Omega Ratio Rank: 4343
Omega Ratio Rank
FPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
FPX Martin Ratio Rank: 5858
Martin Ratio Rank
BSV
BSV Risk / Return Rank: 6161
Overall Rank
BSV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5959
Sharpe Ratio Rank
BSV Sortino Ratio Rank: 7171
Sortino Ratio Rank
BSV Omega Ratio Rank: 6363
Omega Ratio Rank
BSV Calmar Ratio Rank: 5757
Calmar Ratio Rank
BSV Martin Ratio Rank: 5757
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.

FPX vs. BSV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF (FPX) and Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV). 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.

FPXBSVDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.71
2.05

-0.34

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.24
3.29

-1.05

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.28

1.39

-0.11

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.21

2.87

+0.34

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

10.40

10.07

+0.32

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FPX vs. BSV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.71, which is comparable to the BSV Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FPX and BSV, 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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Sharpe Ratios by Period

FPXBSVDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.71

2.05

-0.34

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.39

0.60

-0.21

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.61

0.83

-0.22

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.57

0.85

-0.29

Drawdowns

FPX vs. BSV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FPX drawdown since its inception was -56.29%, which is greater than BSV's maximum drawdown of -8.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FPX and BSV.

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Drawdown Indicators

FPXBSVDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-56.29%

-8.54%

-47.75%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-12.28%

-1.29%

-10.99%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-30.88%

-1.53%

-29.35%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-43.14%

-8.54%

-34.60%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-43.14%

-8.54%

-34.60%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.83%

-0.63%

-0.20%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-11.34%

-0.97%

-10.37%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.78%

0.37%

+3.41%

Volatility

FPX vs. BSV - Volatility Comparison

First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF (FPX) has a higher volatility of 6.22% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV) at 0.52%. This indicates that FPX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BSV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

FPXBSVDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.22%

0.52%

+5.70%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

17.11%

1.26%

+15.85%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

23.10%

1.81%

+21.29%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

26.49%

2.72%

+23.77%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

24.28%

2.37%

+21.91%

FPX vs. BSV - Expense Ratio Comparison

FPX has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than BSV's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

FPX vs. BSV - Dividend Comparison

FPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.49%, less than BSV's 4.00% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
BSV
Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares		4.00%3.83%3.38%2.46%1.50%1.45%1.79%2.29%1.99%1.65%1.48%1.40%
FPX
First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF		0.49%0.53%0.09%0.27%1.08%0.14%0.28%0.67%0.88%0.68%0.77%0.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

FPX and BSV have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

FPX has higher volatility (6.22%) compared to BSV (0.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FPX dropped -56.29% vs BSV's -8.54%.

On 10-year performance, FPX leads with 14.65% vs 1.95% for BSV. On fees, BSV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, BSV has been the lower-risk option at 0.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, FPX has performed better with a 14.65% return vs 1.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

BSV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.57% for FPX.

BSV has the higher dividend yield at 4.00%, compared with 0.49% for FPX.

FPX is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while BSV is Short-Term Bond. FPX tracks IPOX-100 U.S. Index, while BSV tracks Bloomberg U.S. 1–5 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for FPX and 0.03% for BSV.

BSV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.71), 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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