FTA vs. SCHV

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FTA (First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund) and SCHV (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Value ETF) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds - FTA tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Value Index while SCHV tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Value Total Stock Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTA returned 11.60%/yr vs 11.24%/yr for SCHV. Their correlation of 0.92 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FTA charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SCHV.

Performance

FTA vs. SCHV - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTA achieves a 18.18% return, which is significantly higher than SCHV's 16.12% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FTA having a 11.60% annualized return and SCHV not far behind at 11.24%.

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%

SCHV

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: -1.05%
• 6M: 10.52%
• YTD: 16.12%
• 1Y: 25.88%
• 3Y*: 16.46%
• 5Y*: 10.57%
• 10Y*: 11.24%
• ALL TIME*: 11.61%

*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)
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	$3.06M	$3.30M	$2.95M
SCHV Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Value ETF	$128.10M	$109.56M	$118.29M

FTA vs. SCHV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
SCHV Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Value ETF	16.12%	16.02%	14.13%	8.93%	-7.65%	25.58%	2.64%	25.92%	-7.30%	16.56%

Correlation

The correlation between FTA and SCHV is 0.69, 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.	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2009	0.92

Over the past year, the correlation between FTA and SCHV has dropped to 0.69 - well below their long-term average of 0.92, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FTA vs. SCHV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTA	SCHV
Financial Services	23.2%	18.7%
Utilities	11.1%	4.3%
Healthcare	10.2%	11.2%
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	6.5%
Energy	9.2%	5.8%
Industrials	8.8%	13.9%
Technology	7.3%	22.9%
Real Estate	6.6%	3.9%
Consumer Defensive	6.5%	8.1%
Communication Services	4.6%	2.1%
Basic Materials	3.2%	2.5%

Return for Risk

FTA vs. SCHV — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

SCHV

SCHV Risk / Return Rank: 89
SCHV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
SCHV Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
SCHV Omega Ratio Rank: 88
SCHV Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
SCHV Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

FTA vs. SCHV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) and Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Value ETF (SCHV). 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	SCHV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.63	2.21	+0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.90	3.15	+0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.39	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.93	3.66	+2.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.26	14.19	+6.07

FTA vs. SCHV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTA Sharpe Ratio is 2.63, which is comparable to the SCHV Sharpe Ratio of 2.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTA and SCHV, 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. SCHV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTA drawdown since its inception was -62.45%, which is greater than SCHV's maximum drawdown of -37.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTA and SCHV.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTA	SCHV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.45%	-37.08%	-25.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.13%	-6.83%	+1.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.73%	-15.26%	-3.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.80%	-19.78%	-0.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.97%	-37.08%	-7.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.56%	-2.21%	+0.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.97%	-3.81%	-5.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.50%	1.76%	-0.26%

Volatility

FTA vs. SCHV - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) has a higher volatility of 3.93% compared to Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Value ETF (SCHV) at 3.01%. This indicates that FTA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCHV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTA	SCHV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.93%	3.01%	+0.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.04%	8.94%	-0.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.61%	11.35%	+0.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.23%	14.53%	+1.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.85%	16.93%	+2.92%

FTA vs. SCHV - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTA has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHV's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTA vs. SCHV - Dividend Comparison

FTA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.61%, less than SCHV's 1.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
SCHV Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Value ETF	1.79%	2.02%	2.25%	2.42%	2.37%	1.93%	3.03%	3.02%	3.05%	2.37%	2.65%	2.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTA and SCHV in my portfolio?

FTA and SCHV have a correlation of 0.69, 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 SCHV?

FTA has higher volatility (3.93%) compared to SCHV (3.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTA dropped -62.45% vs SCHV's -37.08%.

Which ETF is better, FTA or SCHV?

On 10-year performance, FTA leads with 11.60% vs 11.24% for SCHV. On fees, SCHV is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, SCHV has been the lower-risk option at 3.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTA or SCHV?

Over the 10-year period, FTA has performed better with a 11.60% return vs 11.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTA or SCHV?

SCHV is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTA.

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

SCHV has the higher dividend yield at 1.79%, compared with 1.61% for FTA.

What is the main difference between FTA and SCHV?

FTA tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Value Index, while SCHV tracks Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Value Total Stock Market Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTA and 0.04% for SCHV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 2.21), 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.