FXZ vs. PALL
FXZ (First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund) and PALL (Aberdeen Standard Physical Palladium Shares ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FXZ is a Materials fund tracking the StrataQuant Materials Index, while PALL is a Precious Metals fund tracking the Palladium London PM Fix ($/ozt). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FXZ returned 11.46%/yr vs 7.79%/yr for PALL. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FXZ charges 0.67%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for PALL.
Performance
FXZ vs. PALL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FXZ achieves a 24.42% return, which is significantly higher than PALL's -23.17% return. Over the past 10 years, FXZ has outperformed PALL with an annualized return of 11.46%, while PALL has yielded a comparatively lower 7.79% annualized return.
FXZ
- 1D
- -2.45%
- 1M
- 0.61%
- YTD
- 24.42%
- 6M
- 22.36%
- 1Y
- 44.84%
- 3Y*
- 11.20%
- 5Y*
- 8.66%
- 10Y*
- 11.46%
PALL
- 1D
- -2.40%
- 1M
- -8.89%
- YTD
- -23.17%
- 6M
- -33.98%
- 1Y
- 13.76%
- 3Y*
- -1.99%
- 5Y*
- -14.70%
- 10Y*
- 7.79%
FXZ vs. PALL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FXZ First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund | 24.42% | 16.25% | -16.31% | 16.27% | -0.92% | 30.84% | 22.52% | 21.52% | -22.62% | 23.72% |
PALL Aberdeen Standard Physical Palladium Shares ETF | -23.17% | 74.07% | -17.38% | -38.77% | -6.28% | -23.26% | 25.27% | 53.94% | 17.23% | 55.73% |
Correlation
The correlation between FXZ and PALL is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.47 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.36 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 14, 2010 | 0.35 |
The correlation between FXZ and PALL shifts across timeframes, from 0.32 (10 years) to 0.47 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FXZ vs. PALL — Risk / Return Rank
FXZ
PALL
FXZ vs. PALL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund (FXZ) and Aberdeen Standard Physical Palladium Shares ETF (PALL). 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.
| FXZ | PALL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.71 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.98 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.09 | +0.24 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.53 | 0.34 | +3.19 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.08 | 0.75 | +12.33 |
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Drawdowns
FXZ vs. PALL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FXZ drawdown since its inception was -65.46%, smaller than the maximum PALL drawdown of -73.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXZ and PALL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FXZ | PALL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -65.46% | -73.63% | +8.17% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.75% | -40.70% | +27.95% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -33.99% | -40.70% | +6.71% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -33.99% | -73.63% | +39.64% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -49.41% | -73.63% | +24.22% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.23% | -62.14% | +56.91% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.33% | -26.91% | +15.58% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.44% | 18.39% | -14.95% |
Volatility
FXZ vs. PALL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund (FXZ) is 7.83%, while Aberdeen Standard Physical Palladium Shares ETF (PALL) has a volatility of 12.76%. This indicates that FXZ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PALL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FXZ | PALL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.83% | 12.76% | -4.93% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.24% | 42.39% | -25.15% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.77% | 51.04% | -28.27% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.19% | 42.41% | -18.22% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.93% | 38.03% | -13.10% |
FXZ vs. PALL - Expense Ratio Comparison
FXZ has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is higher than PALL's 0.60% expense ratio.
Dividends
FXZ vs. PALL - Dividend Comparison
FXZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.44%, while PALL has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FXZ First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund | 1.44% | 1.74% | 1.81% | 1.97% | 1.56% | 1.11% | 1.51% | 1.58% | 1.38% | 1.01% | 1.19% | 1.26% |
PALL Aberdeen Standard Physical Palladium Shares ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FXZ and PALL have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PALL has higher volatility (12.76%) compared to FXZ (7.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXZ dropped -65.46% vs PALL's -73.63%.
On 10-year performance, FXZ leads with 11.46% vs 7.79% for PALL. On fees, PALL is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FXZ has been the lower-risk option at 7.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, FXZ has performed better with a 11.46% return vs 7.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
PALL is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.67% for FXZ.
FXZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.44%, compared with 0.00% for PALL.
FXZ is categorized as Materials, while PALL is Precious Metals. FXZ tracks StrataQuant Materials Index, while PALL tracks Palladium London PM Fix ($/ozt). They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Aberdeen. Their fees differ too: 0.67% for FXZ and 0.60% for PALL.
FXZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 0.27), 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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