FYC vs. RFG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FYC (First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund) and RFG (Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Growth ETF) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds - FYC tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Small Cap Growth Index while RFG tracks the S&P Mid Cap 400 Pure Growth. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FYC returned 14.30%/yr vs 10.49%/yr for RFG. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FYC charges 0.71%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for RFG.

Performance

FYC vs. RFG - 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 S&P MidCap 400® Pure Growth ETF (RFG). 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 lower than RFG's 22.14% return. Over the past 10 years, FYC has outperformed RFG with an annualized return of 14.30%, while RFG has yielded a comparatively lower 10.49% 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%

RFG

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: 7.30%
• YTD: 22.14%
• 6M: 21.89%
• 1Y: 32.96%
• 3Y*: 20.57%
• 5Y*: 8.63%
• 10Y*: 10.49%

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

FYC vs. RFG - 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%
RFG Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Growth ETF	22.14%	8.80%	17.80%	16.42%	-21.70%	13.81%	32.86%	17.09%	-13.98%	20.46%

Correlation

The correlation between FYC and RFG is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 21, 2011	0.88

The correlation between FYC and RFG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

FYC vs. RFG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FYC	RFG
Healthcare	27.9%	19.4%
Technology	13.7%	21.2%
Industrials	13.4%	31.3%
Financial Services	10.3%	3.7%
Consumer Cyclical	9.9%	7.6%
Real Estate	8.4%	2.2%
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	3.1%
Basic Materials	3.4%	3.3%
Communication Services	3.4%	0.6%
Energy	3.4%	5.4%
Utilities	1.5%	2.4%

Return for Risk

FYC vs. RFG — 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

RFG

RFG Risk / Return Rank: 57
RFG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
RFG Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
RFG Omega Ratio Rank: 49
RFG Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
RFG 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. RFG - 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 S&P MidCap 400® Pure Growth ETF (RFG). 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	RFG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.55	1.79	+0.76
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.45	2.55	+0.90
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.31	+0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.12	3.18	+1.94
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.64	12.89	+5.74
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. RFG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FYC Sharpe Ratio is 2.55, which is higher than the RFG Sharpe Ratio of 1.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FYC and RFG, 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	RFG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.55	1.79	+0.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.38	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	0.46	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.43	+0.11

Drawdowns

FYC vs. RFG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FYC drawdown since its inception was -47.85%, smaller than the maximum RFG drawdown of -51.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FYC and RFG.

Drawdown Indicators

	FYC	RFG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.85%	-51.93%	+4.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.48%	-10.41%	-0.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.79%	-26.71%	-1.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.37%	-35.16%	-0.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.85%	-42.92%	-4.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.83%	0.00%	-1.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.66%	-8.97%	-0.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.87%	2.56%	+0.31%

Volatility

FYC vs. RFG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FYC) is 5.53%, while Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Growth ETF (RFG) has a volatility of 6.50%. This indicates that FYC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RFG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FYC	RFG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.53%	6.50%	-0.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.99%	14.72%	+0.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.03%	18.53%	+2.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.62%	22.81%	+0.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.57%	23.05%	+1.52%

FYC vs. RFG - Expense Ratio Comparison

FYC has a 0.71% expense ratio, which is higher than RFG's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

FYC vs. RFG - Dividend Comparison

FYC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.07%, less than RFG's 0.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
RFG Invesco S&P MidCap 400® Pure Growth ETF	0.31%	0.43%	0.38%	0.99%	0.78%	0.05%	0.27%	0.64%	0.76%	0.66%	0.35%	0.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FYC and RFG in my portfolio?

FYC and RFG have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FYC or RFG?

RFG has higher volatility (6.50%) compared to FYC (5.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FYC dropped -47.85% vs RFG's -51.93%.

Which ETF is better, FYC or RFG?

On 10-year performance, FYC leads with 14.30% vs 10.49% for RFG. On fees, RFG is cheaper at 0.35% 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 RFG?

Over the 10-year period, FYC has performed better with a 14.30% return vs 10.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FYC or RFG?

RFG is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.71% for FYC.

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

RFG has the higher dividend yield at 0.31%, compared with 0.07% for FYC.

What is the main difference between FYC and RFG?

FYC tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Small Cap Growth Index, while RFG tracks S&P Mid Cap 400 Pure Growth. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.71% for FYC and 0.35% for RFG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FYC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 1.79), 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.