FYX vs. SMH
Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FYX) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH).
FYX and SMH are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. FYX is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Small Cap Core Index. It was launched on May 8, 2007. SMH is a passively managed fund by VanEck that tracks the performance of the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. It was launched on Dec 20, 2011. Both FYX and SMH are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Performance
FYX vs. SMH - Performance Comparison
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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 | 6.25% | 12.68% | 12.22% | 18.30% | -18.41% | 27.43% | 19.48% | 21.32% | -10.64% | 14.34% |
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF | 8.84% | 49.17% | 39.10% | 73.38% | -33.53% | 42.13% | 55.53% | 64.45% | -9.05% | 38.48% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FYX achieves a 6.25% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 8.84% return. Over the past 10 years, FYX has underperformed SMH with an annualized return of 11.40%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively higher 31.58% annualized return.
FYX
- 1D
- 0.55%
- 1M
- -2.81%
- YTD
- 6.25%
- 6M
- 10.16%
- 1Y
- 33.40%
- 3Y*
- 15.54%
- 5Y*
- 6.71%
- 10Y*
- 11.40%
SMH
- 1D
- 2.24%
- 1M
- -3.55%
- YTD
- 8.84%
- 6M
- 17.83%
- 1Y
- 85.04%
- 3Y*
- 44.53%
- 5Y*
- 26.15%
- 10Y*
- 31.58%
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FYX vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison
FYX has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
FYX vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank
FYX
SMH
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 ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.47 | 2.32 | -0.84 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 2.13 | 2.92 | -0.79 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.28 | 1.41 | -0.14 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.48 | 5.39 | -2.91 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.14 | 19.22 | -9.08 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| FYX | SMH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.47 | 2.32 | -0.84 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.31 | 0.76 | -0.45 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.47 | 0.98 | -0.51 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.34 | 0.28 | +0.06 |
Correlation
The correlation between FYX and SMH is 0.63, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.
Dividends
FYX vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison
FYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.77%, more than SMH's 0.28% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FYX First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund | 0.77% | 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 | 0.28% | 0.31% | 0.44% | 0.60% | 1.18% | 0.51% | 0.69% | 1.50% | 1.88% | 1.43% | 0.80% | 2.14% |
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.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FYX | SMH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -61.80% | -84.96% | +23.16% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.84% | -15.95% | +2.11% |
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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.72% | -8.02% | +4.30% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.97% | -41.35% | +30.38% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.38% | 4.47% | -1.09% |
Volatility
FYX vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FYX) is 6.30%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 11.74%. 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.
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Volatility by Period
| FYX | SMH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.30% | 11.74% | -5.44% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.41% | 24.02% | -10.61% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.78% | 36.88% | -14.10% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.03% | 34.68% | -12.65% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.21% | 32.29% | -8.08% |