FV vs. SYLD

Last updated Jul 29, 2026

FV (First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF) and SYLD (Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FV is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Dorsey Wright Focus Five Index, while SYLD is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Cambria. FV is passively managed, while SYLD is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, FV returned 12.32%/yr vs 13.65%/yr for SYLD. Their 0.72 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FV charges 0.87%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for SYLD.

Performance

FV vs. SYLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF (FV) and Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF (SYLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FV achieves a 10.81% return, which is significantly lower than SYLD's 23.39% return. Over the past 10 years, FV has underperformed SYLD with an annualized return of 12.32%, while SYLD has yielded a comparatively higher 13.65% annualized return.

FV

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: -4.97%
• 6M: 3.17%
• YTD: 10.81%
• 1Y: 14.67%
• 3Y*: 13.10%
• 5Y*: 8.61%
• 10Y*: 12.32%
• ALL TIME*: 11.06%

SYLD

• 1D: 1.39%
• 1M: 5.77%
• 6M: 17.14%
• YTD: 23.39%
• 1Y: 29.02%
• 3Y*: 12.11%
• 5Y*: 8.96%
• 10Y*: 13.65%
• ALL TIME*: 12.67%

*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)
FV First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF	$4.34M	$4.74M	$5.14M
SYLD Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF	$2.50M	$2.29M	$3.61M

FV vs. SYLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FV First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF	10.81%	7.23%	14.73%	11.34%	-3.93%	21.63%	28.36%	25.73%	-8.27%	19.97%
SYLD Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF	23.39%	3.94%	3.37%	16.46%	-6.14%	48.59%	13.61%	26.98%	-13.51%	20.03%

Correlation

The correlation between FV and SYLD is 0.49, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.74
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 6, 2014	0.72

Over the past year, the correlation between FV and SYLD has dropped to 0.49 - well below their long-term average of 0.72, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FV vs. SYLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FV	SYLD
Technology	54.8%	3.1%
Healthcare	20.5%	6.0%
Industrials	14.5%	8.0%
Consumer Cyclical	7.3%	23.9%
Communication Services	2.6%	7.2%
Real Estate	0.7%	-
Energy	0.1%	13.1%
Financial Services	0.1%	22.2%
Basic Materials	-	7.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	8.8%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FV vs. SYLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

FV

FV Risk / Return Rank: 33
FV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
FV Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
FV Omega Ratio Rank: 31
FV Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
FV Martin Ratio Rank: 36

SYLD

SYLD Risk / Return Rank: 86
SYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
SYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
SYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 79
SYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
SYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

FV vs. SYLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF (FV) and Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF (SYLD). 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.

	FV	SYLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.84	1.94	-1.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.24	2.94	-1.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.33	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.10	4.21	-3.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.68	12.19	-8.50

FV vs. SYLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FV Sharpe Ratio is 0.84, which is lower than the SYLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FV and SYLD, 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

FV vs. SYLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FV drawdown since its inception was -34.04%, smaller than the maximum SYLD drawdown of -45.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FV and SYLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	FV	SYLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.04%	-45.36%	+11.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.45%	-6.93%	-6.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.08%	-26.62%	+3.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.08%	-26.62%	+3.54%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.04%	-45.36%	+11.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.29%	0.00%	-8.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.80%	-5.61%	-0.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.99%	2.43%	+1.56%

Volatility

FV vs. SYLD - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF (FV) has a higher volatility of 7.13% compared to Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF (SYLD) at 3.86%. This indicates that FV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SYLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FV	SYLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.13%	3.86%	+3.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.89%	9.22%	+5.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.55%	15.06%	+2.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.07%	20.27%	+0.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.55%	22.92%	-1.37%

FV vs. SYLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

FV has a 0.87% expense ratio, which is higher than SYLD's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

FV vs. SYLD - Dividend Comparison

FV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.52%, less than SYLD's 1.80% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FV First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF	0.52%	0.63%	0.14%	0.47%	1.38%	0.11%	0.06%	0.56%	0.19%	0.67%	0.95%	0.14%
SYLD Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF	1.80%	2.25%	2.04%	1.92%	2.20%	2.37%	1.99%	2.08%	2.52%	1.57%	1.92%	6.93%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FV and SYLD in my portfolio?

FV and SYLD have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FV or SYLD?

FV has higher volatility (7.13%) compared to SYLD (3.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FV dropped -34.04% vs SYLD's -45.36%.

Which ETF is better, FV or SYLD?

On 10-year performance, SYLD leads with 13.65% vs 12.32% for FV. On fees, SYLD is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, SYLD has been the lower-risk option at 3.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FV or SYLD?

Over the 10-year period, SYLD has performed better with a 13.65% return vs 12.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FV or SYLD?

SYLD is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.87% for FV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FV or SYLD?

SYLD has the higher dividend yield at 1.80%, compared with 0.52% for FV.

What is the main difference between FV and SYLD?

FV is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SYLD is Mid Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Cambria. Their fees differ too: 0.87% for FV and 0.59% for SYLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 0.84), 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.