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FYT vs. IJS
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FYT vs. IJS

Last updated Jun 24, 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 Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FYT returned 10.80%/yr vs 10.48%/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.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FYT achieves a 20.07% return, which is significantly higher than IJS's 17.37% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FYT having a 10.80% annualized return and IJS not far behind at 10.48%.

FYT

1D
0.84%
1M
3.60%
YTD
20.07%
6M
18.81%
1Y
38.55%
3Y*
17.05%
5Y*
7.15%
10Y*
10.80%

IJS

1D
-0.23%
1M
2.94%
YTD
17.37%
6M
16.01%
1Y
37.29%
3Y*
15.33%
5Y*
6.10%
10Y*
10.48%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FYT vs. IJS - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FYT
First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund		20.07%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		17.37%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, 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

0.95

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.96

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 20, 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%
19.4%

Consumer Cyclical

13.3%
15.4%

Industrials

12.9%
11.6%

Real Estate

9.1%
8.6%

Technology

8.4%
13.4%

Consumer Defensive

7.2%
3.9%

Energy

7.2%
7.0%

Healthcare

6.1%
7.3%

Basic Materials

4.6%
6.9%

Communication Services

2.7%
4.4%

Utilities

2.7%
2.1%

Financial Services

FYT
25.5%
IJS
19.4%

Consumer Cyclical

FYT
13.3%
IJS
15.4%

Industrials

FYT
12.9%
IJS
11.6%

Real Estate

FYT
9.1%
IJS
8.6%

Technology

FYT
8.4%
IJS
13.4%

Consumer Defensive

FYT
7.2%
IJS
3.9%

Energy

FYT
7.2%
IJS
7.0%

Healthcare

FYT
6.1%
IJS
7.3%

Basic Materials

FYT
4.6%
IJS
6.9%

Communication Services

FYT
2.7%
IJS
4.4%

Utilities

FYT
2.7%
IJS
2.1%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund

iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF

Often compared with FYT:
FYT vs. AVUVFYT vs. VTIFYT vs. SLYGFYT vs. VBRFYT vs. SPYFYT vs. FNCMXFYT vs. VIOG
Often compared with IJS:
IJS vs. IJRIJS vs. AVUVIJS vs. VBRIJS vs. VIOVIJS vs. IWNIJS vs. VOOIJS vs. ISCV

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: 7474
Overall Rank
FYT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7070
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FYT Sortino Ratio Rank: 7474
Sortino Ratio Rank
FYT Omega Ratio Rank: 6565
Omega Ratio Rank
FYT Calmar Ratio Rank: 8787
Calmar Ratio Rank
FYT Martin Ratio Rank: 7575
Martin Ratio Rank
IJS
IJS Risk / Return Rank: 6969
Overall Rank
IJS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6565
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IJS Sortino Ratio Rank: 6767
Sortino Ratio Rank
IJS Omega Ratio Rank: 6060
Omega Ratio Rank
IJS Calmar Ratio Rank: 8080
Calmar Ratio Rank
IJS Martin Ratio Rank: 7373
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

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.

FYTIJSDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.06
2.05

+0.02

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.04
2.93

+0.11

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.36

1.35

+0.01

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

4.65

4.04

+0.61

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.20

13.28

-0.07

FYT vs. IJS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FYT Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is comparable to the IJS Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. 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.

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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.

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Drawdown Indicators

FYTIJSDifference

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

-1.45%

-1.64%

+0.19%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.51%

-9.87%

+1.36%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.93%

2.82%

+0.11%

Volatility

FYT vs. IJS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FYT) is 4.31%, while iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value ETF (IJS) has a volatility of 4.85%. This indicates that FYT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IJS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

FYTIJSDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.31%

4.85%

-0.54%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.63%

11.82%

-0.19%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

18.77%

18.34%

+0.43%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

22.53%

21.94%

+0.59%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

25.94%

23.59%

+2.35%

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 1.08%, less than IJS's 1.36% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FYT
First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund		1.08%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		1.36%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

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.

IJS has higher volatility (4.85%) compared to FYT (4.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FYT dropped -50.48% vs IJS's -60.11%.

On 10-year performance, FYT leads with 10.80% vs 10.48% for IJS. On fees, IJS is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, FYT has been the lower-risk option at 4.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, FYT has performed better with a 10.80% return vs 10.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

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

IJS has the higher dividend yield at 1.36%, compared with 1.08% for FYT.

FYT tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Small Cap Value Index, while IJS tracks S&P SmallCap 600 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.

FYT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 2.05), 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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