PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
IVE vs. FTA
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IVE vs. FTA

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

IVE (iShares S&P 500 Value ETF) and FTA (First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds - IVE tracks the S&P 500 Value Index while FTA tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IVE returned 11.78%/yr vs 11.60%/yr for FTA. Their correlation of 0.89 means they have usually moved in the same direction. IVE charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTA.

Performance

IVE vs. FTA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares S&P 500 Value ETF (IVE) and First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IVE achieves a 10.10% return, which is significantly lower than FTA's 18.18% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IVE having a 11.78% annualized return and FTA not far behind at 11.60%.

IVE

1D
-0.19%
1M
0.66%
6M
7.48%
YTD
10.10%
1Y
21.16%
3Y*
13.76%
5Y*
11.36%
10Y*
11.78%
ALL TIME*
7.63%

FTA

1D
-0.29%
1M
2.70%
6M
12.86%
YTD
18.18%
1Y
31.73%
3Y*
15.29%
5Y*
11.21%
10Y*
11.60%
ALL TIME*
8.58%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

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

FTA

First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund
$3.06M$3.30M$2.95M

IVE

iShares S&P 500 Value ETF
$168.69M$149.09M$229.92M

IVE vs. FTA - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IVE
iShares S&P 500 Value ETF		10.10%13.02%12.03%22.07%-5.41%24.72%1.22%31.62%-9.22%15.24%
FTA
First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund		18.18%14.94%10.13%10.08%-3.73%29.32%-0.38%24.73%-13.63%18.47%

Correlation

The correlation between IVE and FTA is 0.81, 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.

0.81

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

0.89

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

0.92

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

0.93

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 2007

0.89

The correlation between IVE and FTA shifts across timeframes, from 0.81 (1 year) to 0.93 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IVE vs. FTA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IVE
FTA

Technology

21.7%
7.3%

Financial Services

15.0%
23.2%

Healthcare

12.2%
10.2%

Industrials

10.9%
8.8%

Consumer Cyclical

10.6%
9.3%

Consumer Defensive

8.8%
6.5%

Energy

6.6%
9.2%

Utilities

4.5%
11.1%

Basic Materials

3.3%
3.2%

Real Estate

3.3%
6.6%

Communication Services

2.9%
4.6%

Technology

IVE
21.7%
FTA
7.3%

Financial Services

IVE
15.0%
FTA
23.2%

Healthcare

IVE
12.2%
FTA
10.2%

Industrials

IVE
10.9%
FTA
8.8%

Consumer Cyclical

IVE
10.6%
FTA
9.3%

Consumer Defensive

IVE
8.8%
FTA
6.5%

Energy

IVE
6.6%
FTA
9.2%

Utilities

IVE
4.5%
FTA
11.1%

Basic Materials

IVE
3.3%
FTA
3.2%

Real Estate

IVE
3.3%
FTA
6.6%

Communication Services

IVE
2.9%
FTA
4.6%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares S&P 500 Value ETF

First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund

Often compared with IVE:
IVE vs. IVWIVE vs. IVVIVE vs. VTVIVE vs. SPYIVE vs. QQQIVE vs. VOOIVE vs. VOOV
Often compared with FTA:
FTA vs. COTZXFTA vs. GPAIXFTA vs. SPYFTA vs. VTVFTA vs. FNCMXFTA vs. MOATFTA vs. ^GSPC

Return for Risk

IVE vs. FTA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
IVE
IVE Risk / Return Rank: 8585
Overall Rank
IVE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8585
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IVE Sortino Ratio Rank: 8484
Sortino Ratio Rank
IVE Omega Ratio Rank: 8484
Omega Ratio Rank
IVE Calmar Ratio Rank: 8484
Calmar Ratio Rank
IVE Martin Ratio Rank: 8686
Martin Ratio Rank
FTA
FTA Risk / Return Rank: 9494
Overall Rank
FTA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9494
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FTA Sortino Ratio Rank: 9595
Sortino Ratio Rank
FTA Omega Ratio Rank: 9292
Omega Ratio Rank
FTA Calmar Ratio Rank: 9696
Calmar Ratio Rank
FTA Martin Ratio Rank: 9595
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.

IVE vs. FTA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares S&P 500 Value ETF (IVE) and First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA). 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.

IVEFTADifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.99
2.63

-0.65

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.78
3.90

-1.12

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.36

1.46

-0.10

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.18

5.93

-2.75

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

12.27

20.26

-7.99

IVE vs. FTA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IVE Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is comparable to the FTA Sharpe Ratio of 2.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IVE and FTA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

IVE vs. FTA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IVE drawdown since its inception was -61.32%, roughly equal to the maximum FTA drawdown of -62.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IVE and FTA.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

IVEFTADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-61.32%

-62.45%

+1.13%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-6.19%

-5.13%

-1.06%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.58%

-18.73%

+1.15%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-18.04%

-19.80%

+1.76%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-37.04%

-44.97%

+7.93%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.16%

-1.56%

+0.40%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-10.04%

-8.97%

-1.07%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.60%

1.50%

+0.10%

Volatility

IVE vs. FTA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares S&P 500 Value ETF (IVE) is 2.67%, while First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) has a volatility of 3.93%. This indicates that IVE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

IVEFTADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.67%

3.93%

-1.26%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

7.13%

8.04%

-0.91%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

9.93%

11.61%

-1.68%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.31%

16.23%

-1.92%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.89%

19.85%

-2.96%

IVE vs. FTA - Expense Ratio Comparison

IVE has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than FTA's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

IVE vs. FTA - Dividend Comparison

IVE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.53%, less than FTA's 1.61% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FTA
First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund		1.61%1.89%2.02%2.10%2.15%1.54%2.03%1.88%2.28%1.53%1.56%2.05%
IVE
iShares S&P 500 Value ETF		1.53%1.61%2.04%1.65%2.10%1.81%2.37%2.11%2.74%2.12%2.26%2.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

IVE and FTA have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

FTA has higher volatility (3.93%) compared to IVE (2.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IVE dropped -61.32% vs FTA's -62.45%.

On 10-year performance, IVE leads with 11.78% vs 11.60% for FTA. On fees, IVE is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, IVE has been the lower-risk option at 2.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IVE has performed better with a 11.78% return vs 11.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IVE is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTA.

FTA has the higher dividend yield at 1.61%, compared with 1.53% for IVE.

IVE tracks S&P 500 Value Index, while FTA tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Value Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for IVE and 0.60% for FTA.

FTA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 1.99), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for IVE and FTA

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer