FYX vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FYX (First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FYX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Small Cap Core Index, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FYX returned 12.27%/yr vs 37.68%/yr for SMH. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FYX charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

FYX vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FYX) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH). 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 SMH's 77.13% return. Over the past 10 years, FYX has underperformed SMH with an annualized return of 12.27%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively higher 37.68% annualized 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%

SMH

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 25.87%
• YTD: 77.13%
• 6M: 75.61%
• 1Y: 157.20%
• 3Y*: 64.17%
• 5Y*: 39.21%
• 10Y*: 37.68%

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

FYX vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FYX First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund	18.13%	12.68%	12.22%	18.30%	-18.41%	27.43%	19.48%	21.32%	-10.64%	14.34%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	77.13%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-9.05%	38.48%

Correlation

The correlation between FYX and SMH is 0.54, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 2007	0.63

The correlation between FYX and SMH shifts across timeframes, from 0.50 (3 years) to 0.63 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FYX vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FYX	SMH
Financial Services	17.5%	-
Industrials	15.9%	-
Healthcare	14.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	11.7%	-
Technology	10.9%	100.0%
Real Estate	8.4%	-
Energy	6.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	5.7%	-
Basic Materials	4.5%	-
Communication Services	3.1%	-
Utilities	1.6%	-

Return for Risk

FYX vs. SMH — 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

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 96
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SMH Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
SMH Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FYX) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH). 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	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.41	5.19	-2.78
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.43	5.22	-1.79
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.72	-0.32
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.80	10.59	-4.80
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.69	40.63	-21.94
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FYX vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FYX Sharpe Ratio is 2.41, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 5.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FYX and SMH, 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

	FYX	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.41	5.19	-2.78
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38	1.13	-0.75
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	1.16	-0.65
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.34	+0.02

Drawdowns

FYX vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FYX drawdown since its inception was -61.80%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FYX and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	FYX	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.80%	-84.96%	+23.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.56%	-14.93%	+7.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.91%	-35.74%	+7.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.91%	-45.30%	+17.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.82%	-45.30%	-3.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.48%	0.00%	-1.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.89%	-41.09%	+30.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.34%	3.89%	-1.55%

Volatility

FYX vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FYX) is 4.71%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 11.47%. This indicates that FYX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FYX	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.71%	11.47%	-6.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.03%	24.29%	-12.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.28%	30.56%	-12.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.96%	35.01%	-13.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.21%	32.57%	-8.36%

FYX vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

FYX has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

FYX vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

FYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.69%, more than SMH's 0.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	0.17%	0.31%	0.44%	0.60%	1.18%	0.51%	0.69%	1.50%	1.88%	1.43%	0.80%	2.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FYX and SMH in my portfolio?

FYX and SMH have a correlation of 0.54, 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 SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (11.47%) compared to FYX (4.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FYX dropped -61.80% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, FYX or SMH?

On 10-year performance, SMH leads with 37.68% vs 12.27% for FYX. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, FYX has been the lower-risk option at 4.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FYX or SMH?

Over the 10-year period, SMH has performed better with a 37.68% return vs 12.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FYX or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.63% for FYX.

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

FYX has the higher dividend yield at 0.69%, compared with 0.17% for SMH.

What is the main difference between FYX and SMH?

FYX is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. FYX tracks Nasdaq AlphaDEX Small Cap Core Index, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.63% for FYX and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.19 vs 2.41), 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.