FTA vs. DIVB
FTA (First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund) and DIVB (iShares Core Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTA is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Value Index, while DIVB is a Dividend fund tracking the Morningstar US Dividend and Buyback Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FTA returned 10.79%/yr vs 12.91%/yr for DIVB. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FTA charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for DIVB.
Performance
FTA vs. DIVB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTA achieves a 15.56% return, which is significantly lower than DIVB's 22.13% return.
FTA
- 1D
- 0.75%
- 1M
- 1.78%
- 6M
- 12.39%
- YTD
- 15.56%
- 1Y
- 24.95%
- 3Y*
- 15.59%
- 5Y*
- 10.79%
- 10Y*
- 11.26%
DIVB
- 1D
- 0.94%
- 1M
- 3.79%
- 6M
- 19.39%
- YTD
- 22.13%
- 1Y
- 29.18%
- 3Y*
- 21.85%
- 5Y*
- 12.91%
- 10Y*
- —
FTA vs. DIVB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund | 15.56% | 14.94% | 10.13% | 10.08% | -3.73% | 29.32% | -0.38% | 24.73% | -13.63% | 6.14% |
DIVB iShares Core Dividend ETF | 22.13% | 15.09% | 18.59% | 13.27% | -10.51% | 31.29% | 10.78% | 32.72% | -8.16% | 5.95% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTA and DIVB is 0.86, 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 | 0.86 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.91 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.93 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 9, 2017 | 0.90 |
The correlation between FTA and DIVB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
FTA vs. DIVB — Risk / Return Rank
FTA
DIVB
FTA vs. DIVB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) and iShares Core Dividend ETF (DIVB). 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 | DIVB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.32 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.33 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.37 | 1.44 | -0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.88 | 4.30 | +0.59 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 15.50 | 14.43 | +1.07 |
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Drawdowns
FTA vs. DIVB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTA drawdown since its inception was -62.45%, which is greater than DIVB's maximum drawdown of -36.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTA and DIVB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FTA | DIVB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -62.45% | -36.93% | -25.52% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.13% | -6.82% | +1.69% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.73% | -15.45% | -3.28% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -19.80% | -21.08% | +1.28% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.97% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.99% | -4.94% | -4.05% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.62% | 2.03% | -0.41% |
Volatility
FTA vs. DIVB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) is 3.67%, while iShares Core Dividend ETF (DIVB) has a volatility of 3.92%. This indicates that FTA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DIVB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FTA | DIVB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.67% | 3.92% | -0.25% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.70% | 9.02% | -1.32% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.70% | 11.90% | -0.20% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.24% | 15.30% | +0.94% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.84% | 18.34% | +1.50% |
FTA vs. DIVB - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTA has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than DIVB's 0.05% expense ratio.
Dividends
FTA vs. DIVB - Dividend Comparison
FTA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.64%, less than DIVB's 2.17% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DIVB iShares Core Dividend ETF | 2.17% | 2.50% | 2.61% | 3.18% | 2.02% | 1.63% | 2.08% | 2.07% | 2.52% | 0.37% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund | 1.64% | 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
FTA and DIVB have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DIVB has higher volatility (3.92%) compared to FTA (3.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTA dropped -62.45% vs DIVB's -36.93%.
On 5-year performance, DIVB leads with 12.91% vs 10.79% for FTA. On fees, DIVB is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, FTA has been the lower-risk option at 3.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, DIVB has performed better with a 12.91% return vs 10.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
DIVB is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTA.
DIVB has the higher dividend yield at 2.17%, compared with 1.64% for FTA.
FTA is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while DIVB is Dividend. FTA tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Value Index, while DIVB tracks Morningstar US Dividend and Buyback Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTA and 0.05% for DIVB.
DIVB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 vs 2.15), 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.
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