FXR vs. SEA

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FXR (First Trust Industrials/Producer Durables AlphaDEX Fund) and SEA (U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF) are both Industrials Equities funds - FXR tracks the StrataQuant Industrials Index while SEA tracks the U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, FXR returned 15.76%/yr vs 18.92%/yr for SEA. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FXR charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for SEA.

Performance

FXR vs. SEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Industrials/Producer Durables AlphaDEX Fund (FXR) and U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF (SEA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FXR achieves a 9.23% return, which is significantly lower than SEA's 19.71% return.

FXR

• 1D: -1.51%
• 1M: 1.86%
• YTD: 9.23%
• 6M: 7.46%
• 1Y: 20.59%
• 3Y*: 15.76%
• 5Y*: 9.01%
• 10Y*: 13.33%

SEA

• 1D: -0.59%
• 1M: -2.00%
• YTD: 19.71%
• 6M: 18.58%
• 1Y: 28.19%
• 3Y*: 18.92%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FXR vs. SEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
FXR First Trust Industrials/Producer Durables AlphaDEX Fund	9.23%	7.56%	16.19%	26.98%	-12.49%
SEA U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF	19.71%	16.78%	2.52%	19.33%	-18.36%

Correlation

The correlation between FXR and SEA is 0.53, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 20, 2022	0.55

The correlation between FXR and SEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.45 to 0.55 - a consistent structural relationship.

FXR vs. SEA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FXR	SEA
Industrials	70.5%	83.8%
Technology	10.3%	-1.6%
Consumer Cyclical	7.5%	-
Basic Materials	6.2%	-
Financial Services	3.4%	-
Healthcare	0.7%	-
Utilities	0.7%	-
Communication Services	-	0.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	16.2%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

FXR vs. SEA — Risk / Return Rank

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

FXR

FXR Risk / Return Rank: 32
FXR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
FXR Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
FXR Omega Ratio Rank: 29
FXR Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
FXR Martin Ratio Rank: 34

SEA

SEA Risk / Return Rank: 55
SEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
SEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
SEA Omega Ratio Rank: 50
SEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
SEA Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

FXR vs. SEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Industrials/Producer Durables AlphaDEX Fund (FXR) and U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF (SEA). 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.

	FXR	SEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.06	1.71	-0.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.66	2.45	-0.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.30	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.51	2.66	-1.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.70	10.67	-5.97

FXR vs. SEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXR Sharpe Ratio is 1.06, which is lower than the SEA Sharpe Ratio of 1.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXR and SEA, 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

FXR vs. SEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXR drawdown since its inception was -63.81%, which is greater than SEA's maximum drawdown of -39.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXR and SEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	FXR	SEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.81%	-39.53%	-24.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.66%	-10.67%	-2.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.65%	-32.42%	+5.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.85%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.71%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.67%	-3.94%	-0.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.34%	-14.17%	+3.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.39%	2.65%	+1.74%

Volatility

FXR vs. SEA - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Industrials/Producer Durables AlphaDEX Fund (FXR) has a higher volatility of 6.19% compared to U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF (SEA) at 5.28%. This indicates that FXR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FXR	SEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.19%	5.28%	+0.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.19%	12.55%	+2.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.55%	16.54%	+3.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.67%	21.64%	-0.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.91%	21.64%	+0.27%

FXR vs. SEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXR has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than SEA's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

FXR vs. SEA - Dividend Comparison

FXR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.62%, less than SEA's 5.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FXR First Trust Industrials/Producer Durables AlphaDEX Fund	0.62%	0.71%	0.72%	0.77%	0.92%	0.52%	1.06%	0.74%	1.18%	0.55%	0.52%	0.62%
SEA U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF	5.64%	6.76%	18.47%	9.85%	18.73%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FXR and SEA in my portfolio?

FXR and SEA have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FXR or SEA?

FXR has higher volatility (6.19%) compared to SEA (5.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXR dropped -63.81% vs SEA's -39.53%.

Which ETF is better, FXR or SEA?

On 3-year performance, SEA leads with 18.92% vs 15.76% for FXR. On fees, SEA is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, SEA has been the lower-risk option at 5.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FXR or SEA?

Over the 3-year period, SEA has performed better with a 18.92% return vs 15.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FXR or SEA?

SEA is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.64% for FXR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FXR or SEA?

SEA has the higher dividend yield at 5.64%, compared with 0.62% for FXR.

What is the main difference between FXR and SEA?

FXR tracks StrataQuant Industrials Index, while SEA tracks U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo Index - Benchmark TR Gross. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and US Global. Their fees differ too: 0.64% for FXR and 0.60% for SEA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 vs 1.06), 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.