FYC vs. DWAS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FYC (First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund) and DWAS (Invesco DWA SmallCap Momentum ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FYC is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Small Cap Growth Index, while DWAS is a Momentum fund tracking the Dorsey Wright SmallCap Technical Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FYC returned 14.30%/yr vs 13.07%/yr for DWAS. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FYC charges 0.71%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for DWAS.

Performance

FYC vs. DWAS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FYC) and Invesco DWA SmallCap Momentum ETF (DWAS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FYC achieves a 20.01% return, which is significantly higher than DWAS's 18.88% return. Over the past 10 years, FYC has outperformed DWAS with an annualized return of 14.30%, while DWAS has yielded a comparatively lower 13.07% annualized return.

FYC

• 1D: -0.91%
• 1M: 3.23%
• YTD: 20.01%
• 6M: 20.96%
• 1Y: 53.40%
• 3Y*: 26.12%
• 5Y*: 10.47%
• 10Y*: 14.30%

DWAS

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: 1.87%
• YTD: 18.88%
• 6M: 19.17%
• 1Y: 39.85%
• 3Y*: 15.57%
• 5Y*: 6.21%
• 10Y*: 13.07%

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

FYC vs. DWAS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FYC First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	20.01%	24.24%	23.99%	14.52%	-25.86%	21.64%	32.34%	16.79%	-5.54%	22.97%
DWAS Invesco DWA SmallCap Momentum ETF	18.88%	6.09%	9.81%	16.88%	-18.51%	19.75%	32.32%	31.39%	-10.68%	20.84%

Correlation

The correlation between FYC and DWAS is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 20, 2012	0.93

The correlation between FYC and DWAS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

FYC vs. DWAS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FYC	DWAS
Healthcare	27.9%	28.2%
Technology	13.7%	18.6%
Industrials	13.4%	16.9%
Financial Services	10.3%	13.0%
Consumer Cyclical	9.9%	6.0%
Real Estate	8.4%	1.1%
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	3.1%
Basic Materials	3.4%	4.0%
Communication Services	3.4%	1.1%
Energy	3.4%	7.7%
Utilities	1.5%	0.3%

Return for Risk

FYC vs. DWAS — Risk / Return Rank

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

FYC

FYC Risk / Return Rank: 79
FYC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
FYC Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
FYC Omega Ratio Rank: 68
FYC Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
FYC Martin Ratio Rank: 87

DWAS

DWAS Risk / Return Rank: 58
DWAS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
DWAS Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
DWAS Omega Ratio Rank: 45
DWAS Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
DWAS Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

FYC vs. DWAS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FYC) and Invesco DWA SmallCap Momentum ETF (DWAS). 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.

	FYC	DWAS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.55	1.76	+0.80
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.45	2.43	+1.02
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.29	+0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.12	4.00	+1.12
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.64	13.05	+5.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FYC vs. DWAS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FYC Sharpe Ratio is 2.55, which is higher than the DWAS Sharpe Ratio of 1.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FYC and DWAS, 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

	FYC	DWAS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.55	1.76	+0.80
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.24	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	0.49	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.49	+0.05

Drawdowns

FYC vs. DWAS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FYC drawdown since its inception was -47.85%, roughly equal to the maximum DWAS drawdown of -46.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FYC and DWAS.

Drawdown Indicators

	FYC	DWAS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.85%	-46.16%	-1.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.48%	-10.02%	-0.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.79%	-33.83%	+6.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.37%	-33.83%	-1.54%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.85%	-46.16%	-1.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.83%	-1.72%	-0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.66%	-10.30%	+0.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.87%	3.06%	-0.19%

Volatility

FYC vs. DWAS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FYC) is 5.53%, while Invesco DWA SmallCap Momentum ETF (DWAS) has a volatility of 6.81%. This indicates that FYC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DWAS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FYC	DWAS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.53%	6.81%	-1.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.99%	16.88%	-1.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.03%	22.81%	-1.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.62%	25.70%	-2.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.57%	26.60%	-2.03%

FYC vs. DWAS - Expense Ratio Comparison

FYC has a 0.71% expense ratio, which is higher than DWAS's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

FYC vs. DWAS - Dividend Comparison

FYC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.07%, more than DWAS's 0.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DWAS Invesco DWA SmallCap Momentum ETF	0.01%	0.07%	0.79%	1.42%	0.81%	0.16%	0.21%	0.13%	0.04%	0.20%	0.52%	0.19%
FYC First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	0.07%	0.08%	0.72%	0.58%	0.00%	0.63%	0.12%	0.39%	0.09%	0.10%	0.31%	0.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FYC and DWAS in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, FYC and DWAS move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FYC or DWAS?

DWAS has higher volatility (6.81%) compared to FYC (5.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FYC dropped -47.85% vs DWAS's -46.16%.

Which ETF is better, FYC or DWAS?

On 10-year performance, FYC leads with 14.30% vs 13.07% for DWAS. On fees, DWAS is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FYC has been the lower-risk option at 5.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FYC or DWAS?

Over the 10-year period, FYC has performed better with a 14.30% return vs 13.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FYC or DWAS?

DWAS is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.71% for FYC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FYC or DWAS?

FYC has the higher dividend yield at 0.07%, compared with 0.01% for DWAS.

What is the main difference between FYC and DWAS?

FYC is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while DWAS is Momentum. FYC tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Small Cap Growth Index, while DWAS tracks Dorsey Wright SmallCap Technical Leaders Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.71% for FYC and 0.60% for DWAS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FYC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 1.76), 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.