FTA vs. COTZX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

FTA (First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund) and COTZX (Columbia Thermostat Fund) are both funds - FTA is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Value Index, while COTZX is a Tactical Allocation fund managed by Columbia. Over the past 10 years, FTA returned 11.55%/yr vs 7.41%/yr for COTZX. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FTA charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for COTZX.

Performance

FTA vs. COTZX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) and Columbia Thermostat Fund (COTZX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTA achieves a 11.25% return, which is significantly higher than COTZX's 3.10% return. Over the past 10 years, FTA has outperformed COTZX with an annualized return of 11.55%, while COTZX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.41% annualized return.

FTA

• 1D: 0.49%
• 1M: 0.56%
• YTD: 11.25%
• 6M: 10.55%
• 1Y: 25.74%
• 3Y*: 16.10%
• 5Y*: 10.11%
• 10Y*: 11.55%

COTZX

• 1D: 0.50%
• 1M: 0.71%
• YTD: 3.10%
• 6M: 3.04%
• 1Y: 11.57%
• 3Y*: 10.37%
• 5Y*: 4.62%
• 10Y*: 7.41%

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

FTA vs. COTZX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	11.25%	14.94%	10.13%	10.08%	-3.73%	29.32%	-0.38%	24.73%	-13.63%	18.47%
COTZX Columbia Thermostat Fund	3.10%	15.02%	7.98%	11.66%	-12.92%	6.44%	29.61%	15.15%	-1.17%	3.33%

Correlation

The correlation between FTA and COTZX is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 2007	0.67

The correlation between FTA and COTZX shifts across timeframes, from 0.48 (1 year) to 0.67 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FTA vs. COTZX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTA

FTA Risk / Return Rank: 77
FTA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
FTA Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
FTA Omega Ratio Rank: 66
FTA Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
FTA Martin Ratio Rank: 82

COTZX

COTZX Risk / Return Rank: 68
COTZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
COTZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
COTZX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
COTZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
COTZX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

FTA vs. COTZX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) and Columbia Thermostat Fund (COTZX). 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.

	FTA	COTZX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.21	2.16	+0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.24	3.18	+0.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.42	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.03	2.88	+2.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.86	13.24	+2.62

FTA vs. COTZX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTA Sharpe Ratio is 2.21, which is comparable to the COTZX Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTA and COTZX, 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

FTA vs. COTZX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTA drawdown since its inception was -62.45%, which is greater than COTZX's maximum drawdown of -47.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTA and COTZX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTA	COTZX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.45%	-47.48%	-14.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.13%	-4.02%	-1.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.73%	-6.93%	-11.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.80%	-17.80%	-2.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.97%	-17.80%	-27.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.01%	-0.38%	-1.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.01%	-3.46%	-5.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.63%	0.87%	+0.76%

Volatility

FTA vs. COTZX - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) has a higher volatility of 3.34% compared to Columbia Thermostat Fund (COTZX) at 2.26%. This indicates that FTA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than COTZX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTA	COTZX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.34%	2.26%	+1.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.66%	4.39%	+3.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.74%	5.35%	+6.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.25%	7.38%	+8.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.97%	7.42%	+12.55%

FTA vs. COTZX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTA has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than COTZX's 0.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTA vs. COTZX - Dividend Comparison

FTA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.67%, less than COTZX's 3.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
COTZX Columbia Thermostat Fund	3.26%	3.37%	3.55%	2.74%	3.28%	14.82%	6.92%	5.57%	4.45%	3.13%	2.66%	4.26%
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	1.67%	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 FTA and COTZX in my portfolio?

FTA and COTZX have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTA or COTZX?

FTA has higher volatility (3.34%) compared to COTZX (2.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTA dropped -62.45% vs COTZX's -47.48%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 2.16), 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.