FYT vs. IJS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FYT (First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund) and IJS (iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds - FYT tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Small Cap Value Index while IJS tracks the S&P SmallCap 600/Citigroup Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FYT returned 9.99%/yr vs 10.07%/yr for IJS. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FYT charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IJS.

Performance

FYT vs. IJS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FYT) and iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF (IJS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with FYT having a 15.42% return and IJS slightly lower at 15.13%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FYT having a 9.99% annualized return and IJS not far ahead at 10.07%.

FYT

• 1D: -1.70%
• 1M: -1.10%
• YTD: 15.42%
• 6M: 14.14%
• 1Y: 34.20%
• 3Y*: 15.03%
• 5Y*: 5.74%
• 10Y*: 9.99%

IJS

• 1D: -1.22%
• 1M: 2.29%
• YTD: 15.13%
• 6M: 14.62%
• 1Y: 36.88%
• 3Y*: 14.01%
• 5Y*: 5.55%
• 10Y*: 10.07%

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

FYT vs. IJS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FYT First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	15.42%	4.00%	3.24%	22.90%	-14.05%	29.33%	9.82%	25.80%	-14.73%	7.14%
IJS iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF	15.13%	6.54%	7.33%	14.68%	-11.34%	30.53%	2.63%	24.11%	-12.86%	11.35%

Correlation

The correlation between FYT and IJS is 0.95 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 21, 2011	0.92

The correlation between FYT and IJS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

FYT vs. IJS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FYT	IJS
Financial Services	25.5%	19.8%
Consumer Cyclical	13.3%	15.9%
Industrials	12.9%	11.6%
Real Estate	9.1%	8.7%
Technology	8.4%	11.3%
Consumer Defensive	7.2%	3.8%
Energy	7.2%	7.6%
Healthcare	6.1%	7.6%
Basic Materials	4.6%	7.1%
Communication Services	2.7%	4.4%
Utilities	2.7%	2.2%

Return for Risk

FYT vs. IJS — Risk / Return Rank

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

FYT

FYT Risk / Return Rank: 61
FYT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
FYT Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
FYT Omega Ratio Rank: 52
FYT Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
FYT Martin Ratio Rank: 64

IJS

IJS Risk / Return Rank: 64
IJS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
IJS Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
IJS Omega Ratio Rank: 56
IJS Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
IJS 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.

FYT vs. IJS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FYT) and iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF (IJS). 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.

	FYT	IJS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.83	2.03	-0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.73	2.91	-0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.35	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.12	3.99	+0.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.64	13.05	-1.42
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FYT vs. IJS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FYT Sharpe Ratio is 1.83, which is comparable to the IJS Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FYT and IJS, 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

	FYT	IJS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.83	2.03	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26	0.25	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39	0.43	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.40	-0.01

Drawdowns

FYT vs. IJS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FYT drawdown since its inception was -50.48%, smaller than the maximum IJS drawdown of -60.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FYT and IJS.

Drawdown Indicators

	FYT	IJS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.48%	-60.11%	+9.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.34%	-9.28%	+0.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.90%	-28.65%	-0.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.90%	-28.65%	-0.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.48%	-47.68%	-2.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.65%	-1.22%	-1.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.54%	-9.89%	+1.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.95%	2.83%	+0.12%

Volatility

FYT vs. IJS - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FYT) has a higher volatility of 4.66% compared to iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF (IJS) at 4.42%. This indicates that FYT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IJS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FYT	IJS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.66%	4.42%	+0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.62%	11.52%	+0.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.90%	18.31%	+0.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.56%	21.98%	+0.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.96%	23.60%	+2.36%

FYT vs. IJS - Expense Ratio Comparison

FYT has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than IJS's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

FYT vs. IJS - Dividend Comparison

FYT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.12%, less than IJS's 1.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FYT First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	1.12%	0.94%	2.07%	1.50%	1.36%	1.19%	0.96%	1.44%	1.78%	1.16%	1.16%	0.96%
IJS iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF	1.29%	1.62%	1.78%	1.42%	1.46%	1.52%	1.00%	1.66%	1.75%	1.41%	1.22%	1.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FYT and IJS in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, FYT and IJS 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, FYT or IJS?

FYT has higher volatility (4.66%) compared to IJS (4.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FYT dropped -50.48% vs IJS's -60.11%.

Which ETF is better, FYT or IJS?

On 10-year performance, IJS leads with 10.07% vs 9.99% for FYT. On fees, IJS is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IJS has been the lower-risk option at 4.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FYT or IJS?

Over the 10-year period, IJS has performed better with a 10.07% return vs 9.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FYT or IJS?

IJS is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.72% for FYT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FYT or IJS?

IJS has the higher dividend yield at 1.29%, compared with 1.12% for FYT.

What is the main difference between FYT and IJS?

FYT tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Small Cap Value Index, while IJS tracks S&P SmallCap 600/Citigroup Value Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.72% for FYT and 0.25% for IJS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IJS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.83), 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.