FTXNX vs. SMLF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTXNX (Fuller & Thaler Behavioral Small-Cap Growth Fund) and SMLF (iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF) are both funds - FTXNX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Fuller & Thaler Asset Mgmt, while SMLF is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Small Cap Diversified Multi-Factor. Over the past 5 years, FTXNX returned 15.95%/yr vs 10.89%/yr for SMLF. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FTXNX charges 1.44%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for SMLF.

Performance

FTXNX vs. SMLF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fuller & Thaler Behavioral Small-Cap Growth Fund (FTXNX) and iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF (SMLF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTXNX achieves a 35.42% return, which is significantly higher than SMLF's 14.46% return.

FTXNX

• 1D: 2.74%
• 1M: 8.02%
• YTD: 35.42%
• 6M: 33.13%
• 1Y: 65.74%
• 3Y*: 30.95%
• 5Y*: 15.95%
• 10Y*: —

SMLF

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 4.07%
• YTD: 14.46%
• 6M: 14.20%
• 1Y: 30.98%
• 3Y*: 19.85%
• 5Y*: 10.89%
• 10Y*: 12.36%

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

FTXNX vs. SMLF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FTXNX Fuller & Thaler Behavioral Small-Cap Growth Fund	35.42%	12.10%	28.50%	32.77%	-27.66%	25.16%	50.97%	18.83%	-3.91%
SMLF iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF	14.46%	12.30%	16.33%	19.99%	-12.19%	26.53%	8.38%	21.56%	-11.01%

Correlation

The correlation between FTXNX and SMLF is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 16, 2018	0.84

The correlation between FTXNX and SMLF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FTXNX vs. SMLF — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTXNX

FTXNX Risk / Return Rank: 77
FTXNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
FTXNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
FTXNX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
FTXNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
FTXNX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

SMLF

SMLF Risk / Return Rank: 58
SMLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
SMLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
SMLF Omega Ratio Rank: 48
SMLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
SMLF Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

FTXNX vs. SMLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fuller & Thaler Behavioral Small-Cap Growth Fund (FTXNX) and iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF (SMLF). 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.

	FTXNX	SMLF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.62	1.81	+0.80
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.18	2.56	+0.62
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.31	+0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.50	3.57	+1.93
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	22.34	12.27	+10.08
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTXNX vs. SMLF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTXNX Sharpe Ratio is 2.62, which is higher than the SMLF Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTXNX and SMLF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FTXNX	SMLF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.62	1.81	+0.80
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.52	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.57	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.54	+0.12

Drawdowns

FTXNX vs. SMLF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTXNX drawdown since its inception was -45.22%, which is greater than SMLF's maximum drawdown of -41.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXNX and SMLF.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTXNX	SMLF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.22%	-41.89%	-3.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.41%	-8.71%	-3.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.39%	-26.28%	-6.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.68%	-26.28%	-13.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.72%	+0.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.59%	-6.60%	-5.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.05%	2.53%	+0.52%

Volatility

FTXNX vs. SMLF - Volatility Comparison

Fuller & Thaler Behavioral Small-Cap Growth Fund (FTXNX) has a higher volatility of 8.51% compared to iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF (SMLF) at 4.80%. This indicates that FTXNX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMLF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTXNX	SMLF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.51%	4.80%	+3.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.53%	12.31%	+8.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.09%	17.21%	+8.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.75%	21.09%	+5.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.70%	21.78%	+5.92%

FTXNX vs. SMLF - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTXNX has a 1.44% expense ratio, which is higher than SMLF's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTXNX vs. SMLF - Dividend Comparison

FTXNX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SMLF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTXNX Fuller & Thaler Behavioral Small-Cap Growth Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	17.21%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMLF iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF	1.03%	1.14%	1.33%	1.13%	1.23%	1.07%	1.33%	1.39%	1.17%	0.93%	0.78%	0.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTXNX and SMLF in my portfolio?

FTXNX and SMLF have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTXNX or SMLF?

FTXNX has higher volatility (8.51%) compared to SMLF (4.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTXNX dropped -45.22% vs SMLF's -41.89%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.62 vs 1.81), 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.