FYLD vs. SMCWX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FYLD (Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF) and SMCWX (American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A) are both funds - FYLD is a Global Equities fund actively managed by Cambria, while SMCWX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by American Funds. Over the past 10 years, FYLD returned 11.87%/yr vs 10.82%/yr for SMCWX. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FYLD charges 0.59%/yr vs 1.02%/yr for SMCWX.

Performance

FYLD vs. SMCWX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF (FYLD) and American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A (SMCWX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FYLD achieves a 16.00% return, which is significantly lower than SMCWX's 16.84% return. Over the past 10 years, FYLD has outperformed SMCWX with an annualized return of 11.87%, while SMCWX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.82% annualized return.

FYLD

• 1D: -1.30%
• 1M: -2.27%
• YTD: 16.00%
• 6M: 16.03%
• 1Y: 35.30%
• 3Y*: 21.72%
• 5Y*: 11.36%
• 10Y*: 11.87%

SMCWX

• 1D: 0.85%
• 1M: 4.66%
• YTD: 16.84%
• 6M: 15.30%
• 1Y: 27.92%
• 3Y*: 14.14%
• 5Y*: 2.46%
• 10Y*: 10.82%

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

FYLD vs. SMCWX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FYLD Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF	16.00%	34.53%	3.00%	13.18%	-5.53%	18.67%	4.17%	17.83%	-14.47%	29.81%
SMCWX American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A	16.84%	14.07%	2.33%	18.86%	-29.90%	10.14%	37.46%	30.79%	-9.75%	26.85%

Correlation

The correlation between FYLD and SMCWX is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2013	0.69

The correlation between FYLD and SMCWX shifts across timeframes, from 0.57 (1 year) to 0.70 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FYLD vs. SMCWX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FYLD

FYLD Risk / Return Rank: 91
FYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
FYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
FYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 88
FYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
FYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 93

SMCWX

SMCWX Risk / Return Rank: 44
SMCWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
SMCWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
SMCWX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
SMCWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
SMCWX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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.

FYLD vs. SMCWX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF (FYLD) and American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A (SMCWX). 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.

	FYLD	SMCWX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.95	1.74	+1.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.04	2.51	+1.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.31	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.52	2.46	+4.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	22.40	9.77	+12.63

FYLD vs. SMCWX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FYLD Sharpe Ratio is 2.95, which is higher than the SMCWX Sharpe Ratio of 1.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FYLD and SMCWX, 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

FYLD vs. SMCWX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FYLD drawdown since its inception was -44.55%, smaller than the maximum SMCWX drawdown of -62.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FYLD and SMCWX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FYLD	SMCWX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.55%	-62.46%	+17.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.44%	-11.83%	+6.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.15%	-21.40%	+6.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.12%	-39.79%	+14.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.55%	-39.79%	-4.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.62%	0.00%	-3.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.80%	-14.90%	+6.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.58%	2.97%	-1.39%

Volatility

FYLD vs. SMCWX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF (FYLD) is 4.20%, while American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A (SMCWX) has a volatility of 6.44%. This indicates that FYLD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMCWX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FYLD	SMCWX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.20%	6.44%	-2.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.44%	13.92%	-4.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.04%	16.77%	-4.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.26%	18.37%	-2.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.83%	17.96%	-0.13%

FYLD vs. SMCWX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FYLD has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than SMCWX's 1.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

FYLD vs. SMCWX - Dividend Comparison

FYLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.47%, less than SMCWX's 4.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FYLD Cambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF	3.47%	4.07%	5.41%	6.06%	6.13%	4.74%	3.94%	3.73%	5.17%	2.85%	2.72%	3.98%
SMCWX American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A	4.12%	4.84%	0.60%	0.64%	0.00%	9.24%	1.60%	4.24%	7.06%	4.48%	0.35%	6.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FYLD and SMCWX in my portfolio?

FYLD and SMCWX have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FYLD or SMCWX?

SMCWX has higher volatility (6.44%) compared to FYLD (4.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FYLD dropped -44.55% vs SMCWX's -62.46%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.95 vs 1.74), 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.