FYX vs. RDVY

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

FYX (First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund) and RDVY (First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FYX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Small Cap Core Index, while RDVY is a Dividend fund tracking the Nasdaq US Rising Dividend Achievers Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FYX returned 12.53%/yr vs 16.08%/yr for RDVY. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FYX charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for RDVY.

Performance

FYX vs. RDVY - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FYX achieves a 28.12% return, which is significantly higher than RDVY's 18.21% return. Over the past 10 years, FYX has underperformed RDVY with an annualized return of 12.53%, while RDVY has yielded a comparatively higher 16.08% annualized return.

FYX

• 1D: 1.71%
• 1M: 1.36%
• 6M: 19.19%
• YTD: 28.12%
• 1Y: 51.31%
• 3Y*: 19.51%
• 5Y*: 11.18%
• 10Y*: 12.53%
• ALL TIME*: 9.42%

RDVY

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: 2.01%
• 6M: 12.29%
• YTD: 18.21%
• 1Y: 31.80%
• 3Y*: 20.39%
• 5Y*: 13.07%
• 10Y*: 16.08%
• ALL TIME*: 13.82%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FYX First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund	$4.46M	$3.68M	$3.93M
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	$79.27M	$78.43M	$84.11M

FYX vs. RDVY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FYX First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund	28.12%	12.68%	12.22%	18.30%	-18.41%	27.43%	19.48%	21.32%	-10.64%	14.34%
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	18.21%	18.90%	16.41%	20.38%	-13.27%	31.14%	13.47%	37.71%	-9.92%	22.75%

Correlation

The correlation between FYX and RDVY is 0.82, 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.	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 7, 2014	0.84

The correlation between FYX and RDVY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

FYX vs. RDVY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FYX	RDVY
Financial Services	17.4%	38.9%
Industrials	16.4%	12.5%
Healthcare	15.0%	5.6%
Technology	11.8%	19.4%
Consumer Cyclical	11.7%	11.1%
Real Estate	8.6%	-
Energy	5.1%	2.8%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	2.8%
Basic Materials	4.2%	-
Communication Services	3.2%	4.2%
Utilities	1.6%	1.4%

Return for Risk

FYX vs. RDVY — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FYX

FYX Risk / Return Rank: 95
FYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
FYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
FYX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
FYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
FYX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

RDVY

RDVY Risk / Return Rank: 88
RDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
RDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
RDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 85
RDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
RDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

FYX vs. RDVY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FYX) and First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY). 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.

	FYX	RDVY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.89	2.19	+0.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.11	3.10	+1.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.38	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.82	3.54	+3.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	22.89	14.83	+8.06

FYX vs. RDVY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FYX Sharpe Ratio is 2.89, which is higher than the RDVY Sharpe Ratio of 2.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FYX and RDVY, 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

FYX vs. RDVY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FYX drawdown since its inception was -61.80%, which is greater than RDVY's maximum drawdown of -40.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FYX and RDVY.

Drawdown Indicators

	FYX	RDVY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.80%	-40.60%	-21.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.56%	-9.04%	+1.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.91%	-19.11%	-8.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.91%	-25.32%	-2.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.82%	-40.60%	-8.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.02%	0.00%	-0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.80%	-4.95%	-5.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.25%	2.15%	+0.10%

Volatility

FYX vs. RDVY - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FYX) has a higher volatility of 3.97% compared to First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) at 3.55%. This indicates that FYX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RDVY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FYX	RDVY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.97%	3.55%	+0.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.04%	11.40%	+0.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.88%	14.64%	+3.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.83%	18.93%	+2.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.16%	21.03%	+3.13%

FYX vs. RDVY - Expense Ratio Comparison

FYX has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is higher than RDVY's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

FYX vs. RDVY - Dividend Comparison

FYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%, more than RDVY's 0.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FYX First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund	0.89%	0.64%	1.62%	1.22%	0.95%	0.99%	0.65%	1.12%	1.08%	0.60%	0.94%	0.88%
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	0.83%	1.11%	1.64%	2.09%	2.21%	1.04%	1.53%	1.55%	1.68%	1.25%	2.07%	2.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FYX and RDVY in my portfolio?

FYX and RDVY have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FYX or RDVY?

FYX has higher volatility (3.97%) compared to RDVY (3.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FYX dropped -61.80% vs RDVY's -40.60%.

Which ETF is better, FYX or RDVY?

On 10-year performance, RDVY leads with 16.08% vs 12.53% for FYX. On fees, RDVY is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, RDVY has been the lower-risk option at 3.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FYX or RDVY?

Over the 10-year period, RDVY has performed better with a 16.08% return vs 12.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FYX or RDVY?

RDVY is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.63% for FYX.

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

FYX has the higher dividend yield at 0.89%, compared with 0.83% for RDVY.

What is the main difference between FYX and RDVY?

FYX is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while RDVY is Dividend. FYX tracks Nasdaq AlphaDEX Small Cap Core Index, while RDVY tracks Nasdaq US Rising Dividend Achievers Index. Their fees differ too: 0.63% for FYX and 0.47% for RDVY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FYX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.89 vs 2.19), 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.