FYX vs. ASCE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FYX (First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund) and ASCE (Allspring SMID Core ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. FYX is passively managed, while ASCE is actively managed. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FYX charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for ASCE.

Performance

FYX vs. ASCE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FYX) and Allspring SMID Core ETF (ASCE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FYX achieves a 18.13% return, which is significantly lower than ASCE's 22.25% return.

FYX

• 1D: -1.34%
• 1M: 1.06%
• YTD: 18.13%
• 6M: 18.02%
• 1Y: 43.61%
• 3Y*: 20.01%
• 5Y*: 8.23%
• 10Y*: 12.27%

ASCE

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: 5.38%
• YTD: 22.25%
• 6M: 21.06%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FYX vs. ASCE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FYX First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund	18.13%	14.23%
ASCE Allspring SMID Core ETF	22.25%	8.61%

Correlation

The correlation between FYX and ASCE is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 9, 2025	0.89

Return for Risk

FYX vs. ASCE — Risk / Return Rank

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

FYX

FYX Risk / Return Rank: 79
FYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
FYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
FYX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
FYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
FYX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

FYX vs. ASCE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FYX) and Allspring SMID Core ETF (ASCE). 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.

	FYX	ASCE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.41	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.43	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.80	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.69	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FYX	ASCE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.41	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	1.92	-1.56

Drawdowns

FYX vs. ASCE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FYX drawdown since its inception was -61.80%, which is greater than ASCE's maximum drawdown of -9.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FYX and ASCE.

Drawdown Indicators

	FYX	ASCE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.80%	-9.22%	-52.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.56%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.91%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.91%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.82%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.48%	-0.38%	-1.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.89%	-2.10%	-8.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.34%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	FYX	ASCE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.71%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.03%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.28%	19.25%	-0.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.96%	19.25%	+2.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.21%	19.25%	+4.96%

FYX vs. ASCE - Expense Ratio Comparison

FYX has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is higher than ASCE's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

FYX vs. ASCE - Dividend Comparison

FYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.69%, more than ASCE's 0.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ASCE Allspring SMID Core ETF	0.18%	0.22%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FYX First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund	0.69%	0.64%	1.62%	1.22%	0.95%	0.99%	0.65%	1.12%	1.08%	0.60%	0.94%	0.88%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FYX and ASCE in my portfolio?

FYX and ASCE 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.

Which ETF is better, FYX or ASCE?

On fees, ASCE is cheaper at 0.38% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, FYX or ASCE?

ASCE is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.63% for FYX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FYX or ASCE?

FYX has the higher dividend yield at 0.69%, compared with 0.18% for ASCE.

What is the main difference between FYX and ASCE?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Allspring. Their fees differ too: 0.63% for FYX and 0.38% for ASCE.