MDEV vs. LFSC

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF (MDEV) and F/m Emerald Life Sciences Innovation ETF (LFSC).

MDEV and LFSC are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. MDEV is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the Indxx Global Medical Equipment Index. It was launched on Jun 22, 2021. LFSC is an actively managed fund by F/m Investments. It was launched on Oct 30, 2024.

Performance

MDEV vs. LFSC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF (MDEV) and F/m Emerald Life Sciences Innovation ETF (LFSC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

MDEV vs. LFSC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
MDEV First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF	-9.41%	2.00%	-2.91%
LFSC F/m Emerald Life Sciences Innovation ETF	-4.45%	56.54%	-6.02%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MDEV achieves a -9.41% return, which is significantly lower than LFSC's -4.45% return.

MDEV

• 1D: 2.23%
• 1M: -9.05%
• YTD: -9.41%
• 6M: -4.81%
• 1Y: -5.71%
• 3Y*: -2.27%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

LFSC

• 1D: 6.16%
• 1M: -3.82%
• YTD: -4.45%
• 6M: 17.66%
• 1Y: 55.83%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

MDEV vs. LFSC - Expense Ratio Comparison

MDEV has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than LFSC's 0.54% expense ratio.

MDEV

First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF

LFSC

F/m Emerald Life Sciences Innovation ETF

Return for Risk

MDEV vs. LFSC — Risk / Return Rank

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

MDEV

MDEV Risk / Return Rank: 5
MDEV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
MDEV Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
MDEV Omega Ratio Rank: 6
MDEV Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
MDEV Martin Ratio Rank: 3

LFSC

LFSC Risk / Return Rank: 86
LFSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
LFSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
LFSC Omega Ratio Rank: 82
LFSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
LFSC Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

MDEV vs. LFSC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF (MDEV) and F/m Emerald Life Sciences Innovation ETF (LFSC). 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.

	MDEV	LFSC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.30	1.93	-2.23
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.31	2.65	-2.96
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.96	1.33	-0.37
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.37	3.20	-3.57
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.17	8.96	-10.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MDEV vs. LFSC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MDEV Sharpe Ratio is -0.30, which is lower than the LFSC Sharpe Ratio of 1.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MDEV and LFSC, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MDEV	LFSC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.30	1.93	-2.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.31	0.94	-1.25

Correlation

The correlation between MDEV and LFSC is 0.54, 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

MDEV vs. LFSC - Dividend Comparison

Neither MDEV nor LFSC has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Drawdowns

MDEV vs. LFSC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MDEV drawdown since its inception was -42.34%, which is greater than LFSC's maximum drawdown of -29.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MDEV and LFSC.

Drawdown Indicators

	MDEV	LFSC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.34%	-29.74%	-12.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.88%	-16.25%	+1.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-32.20%	-11.08%	-21.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.39%	-8.25%	-17.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.66%	5.80%	-1.14%

Volatility

MDEV vs. LFSC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF (MDEV) is 5.67%, while F/m Emerald Life Sciences Innovation ETF (LFSC) has a volatility of 10.35%. This indicates that MDEV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LFSC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MDEV	LFSC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.67%	10.35%	-4.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.88%	19.97%	-9.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.99%	29.24%	-10.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.00%	29.31%	-10.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.00%	29.31%	-10.31%