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FYT vs. VBR
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FYT vs. VBR

Last updated Aug 4, 2026
Documentation

FYT (First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund) and VBR (Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds - FYT tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Small Cap Value Index while VBR tracks the CRSP US Small Cap Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FYT returned 10.77%/yr vs 10.67%/yr for VBR. Their correlation of 0.90 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FYT charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VBR.

Performance

FYT vs. VBR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FYT) and Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR). 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 29.89% return, which is significantly higher than VBR's 18.17% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FYT having a 10.77% annualized return and VBR not far behind at 10.67%.

FYT

1D
1.48%
1M
3.99%
6M
19.48%
YTD
29.89%
1Y
47.29%
3Y*
14.87%
5Y*
9.87%
10Y*
10.77%
ALL TIME*
10.12%

VBR

1D
1.27%
1M
1.85%
6M
11.26%
YTD
18.17%
1Y
29.28%
3Y*
15.36%
5Y*
10.29%
10Y*
10.67%
ALL TIME*
9.72%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

FYT

First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund
$1.45M$937.01K$847.93K

VBR

Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF
$57.38M$55.84M$67.82M

FYT vs. VBR - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FYT
First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund		29.89%4.00%3.24%22.90%-14.05%29.33%9.82%25.80%-14.73%7.14%
VBR
Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF		18.17%9.09%12.40%16.00%-9.38%28.08%5.90%22.78%-12.28%11.81%

Correlation

The correlation between FYT and VBR is 0.89, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.89

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.93

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.95

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

0.94

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 20, 2011

0.90

The correlation between FYT and VBR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

FYT vs. VBR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FYT
VBR

Financial Services

27.4%
17.5%

Consumer Cyclical

12.9%
13.6%

Industrials

12.2%
17.3%

Real Estate

10.3%
11.1%

Technology

8.0%
10.9%

Energy

7.2%
4.3%

Consumer Defensive

6.1%
4.2%

Healthcare

5.7%
8.4%

Basic Materials

4.6%
5.3%

Communication Services

3.0%
2.4%

Utilities

2.3%
4.9%

Financial Services

FYT
27.4%
VBR
17.5%

Consumer Cyclical

FYT
12.9%
VBR
13.6%

Industrials

FYT
12.2%
VBR
17.3%

Real Estate

FYT
10.3%
VBR
11.1%

Technology

FYT
8.0%
VBR
10.9%

Energy

FYT
7.2%
VBR
4.3%

Consumer Defensive

FYT
6.1%
VBR
4.2%

Healthcare

FYT
5.7%
VBR
8.4%

Basic Materials

FYT
4.6%
VBR
5.3%

Communication Services

FYT
3.0%
VBR
2.4%

Utilities

FYT
2.3%
VBR
4.9%

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

Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF

Often compared with FYT:
FYT vs. AVUVFYT vs. VTIFYT vs. SLYGFYT vs. SPYFYT vs. VIOGFYT vs. RWJFYT vs. FNCMX
Often compared with VBR:
VBR vs. AVUVVBR vs. VBVBR vs. VOOVBR vs. VBKVBR vs. VTIVBR vs. VIOVVBR vs. VSIAX

Return for Risk

FYT vs. VBR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
FYT
FYT Risk / Return Rank: 9393
Overall Rank
FYT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9494
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FYT Sortino Ratio Rank: 9494
Sortino Ratio Rank
FYT Omega Ratio Rank: 9292
Omega Ratio Rank
FYT Calmar Ratio Rank: 9595
Calmar Ratio Rank
FYT Martin Ratio Rank: 9393
Martin Ratio Rank
VBR
VBR Risk / Return Rank: 8484
Overall Rank
VBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8484
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 8686
Sortino Ratio Rank
VBR Omega Ratio Rank: 8181
Omega Ratio Rank
VBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 8585
Calmar Ratio Rank
VBR Martin Ratio Rank: 8585
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FYT vs. VBR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FYT) and Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR). 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.

FYTVBRDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.66
1.98

+0.68

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.86
2.91

+0.95

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.47

1.35

+0.12

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

5.70

3.32

+2.38

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

17.20

12.14

+5.06

FYT vs. VBR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FYT Sharpe Ratio is 2.66, which is higher than the VBR Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FYT and VBR, 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. VBR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FYT drawdown since its inception was -50.48%, smaller than the maximum VBR drawdown of -61.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FYT and VBR.

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Drawdown Indicators

FYTVBRDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-50.48%

-61.98%

+11.50%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.34%

-8.85%

+0.51%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-28.90%

-24.19%

-4.71%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-28.90%

-24.19%

-4.71%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-50.48%

-45.28%

-5.20%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-0.15%

+0.15%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.45%

-8.21%

-0.24%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.76%

2.42%

+0.34%

Volatility

FYT vs. VBR - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FYT) has a higher volatility of 4.45% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) at 3.58%. This indicates that FYT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

FYTVBRDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.45%

3.58%

+0.87%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.27%

10.28%

+0.99%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.87%

14.86%

+3.01%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

22.43%

19.57%

+2.86%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

25.90%

21.67%

+4.23%

FYT vs. VBR - Expense Ratio Comparison

FYT has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than VBR's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

FYT vs. VBR - Dividend Comparison

FYT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.41%, less than VBR's 1.74% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FYT
First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund		1.41%0.94%2.07%1.50%1.36%1.19%0.96%1.44%1.78%1.16%1.16%0.96%
VBR
Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF		1.74%1.95%1.98%2.12%2.03%1.75%1.68%2.06%2.35%1.79%1.77%1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

FYT and VBR have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

FYT has higher volatility (4.45%) compared to VBR (3.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FYT dropped -50.48% vs VBR's -61.98%.

On 10-year performance, FYT leads with 10.77% vs 10.67% for VBR. On fees, VBR is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VBR has been the lower-risk option at 3.58%. 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 10.77% return vs 10.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VBR is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.72% for FYT.

VBR has the higher dividend yield at 1.74%, compared with 1.41% for FYT.

FYT tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Small Cap Value Index, while VBR tracks CRSP US Small Cap Value Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.72% for FYT and 0.05% for VBR.

FYT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.66 vs 1.98), 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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