OSCV vs. FDM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

OSCV (Opus Small Cap Value Plus ETF) and FDM (First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. OSCV is actively managed, while FDM is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, OSCV returned 5.36%/yr vs 8.84%/yr for FDM. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. OSCV charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FDM.

Performance

OSCV vs. FDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Opus Small Cap Value Plus ETF (OSCV) and First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund (FDM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, OSCV achieves a 9.18% return, which is significantly lower than FDM's 9.82% return.

OSCV

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: -2.06%
• YTD: 9.18%
• 6M: 8.64%
• 1Y: 15.66%
• 3Y*: 10.33%
• 5Y*: 5.36%
• 10Y*: —

FDM

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: -2.23%
• YTD: 9.82%
• 6M: 12.70%
• 1Y: 32.32%
• 3Y*: 18.88%
• 5Y*: 8.84%
• 10Y*: 11.66%

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

OSCV vs. FDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
OSCV Opus Small Cap Value Plus ETF	9.18%	1.35%	11.66%	10.14%	-11.41%	27.69%	4.94%	27.51%	-13.52%
FDM First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund	9.82%	18.64%	13.00%	12.76%	-11.61%	35.08%	-4.04%	27.45%	-21.13%

Correlation

The correlation between OSCV and FDM is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 19, 2018	0.88

The correlation between OSCV and FDM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

OSCV vs. FDM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	OSCV	FDM
Financial Services	27.6%	41.2%
Industrials	17.0%	16.4%
Energy	11.3%	5.0%
Consumer Cyclical	9.9%	10.0%
Real Estate	8.5%	1.4%
Healthcare	8.3%	6.2%
Basic Materials	5.6%	4.2%
Utilities	3.1%	1.0%
Consumer Defensive	2.0%	4.7%
Technology	2.0%	6.2%
Communication Services	-	3.7%

Return for Risk

OSCV vs. FDM — Risk / Return Rank

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

OSCV

OSCV Risk / Return Rank: 35
OSCV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
OSCV Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
OSCV Omega Ratio Rank: 31
OSCV Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
OSCV Martin Ratio Rank: 37

FDM

FDM Risk / Return Rank: 55
FDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
FDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
FDM Omega Ratio Rank: 47
FDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
FDM Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

OSCV vs. FDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Opus Small Cap Value Plus ETF (OSCV) and First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund (FDM). 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.

	OSCV	FDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.18	1.73	-0.55
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.83	2.52	-0.69
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.30	-0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.02	3.47	-1.46
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.97	10.59	-4.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

OSCV vs. FDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OSCV Sharpe Ratio is 1.18, which is lower than the FDM Sharpe Ratio of 1.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OSCV and FDM, 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

	OSCV	FDM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.18	1.73	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31	0.42	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.50	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.35	+0.02

Drawdowns

OSCV vs. FDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OSCV drawdown since its inception was -42.40%, smaller than the maximum FDM drawdown of -63.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OSCV and FDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	OSCV	FDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.40%	-63.45%	+21.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.55%	-9.30%	+1.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.92%	-23.47%	+0.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.92%	-23.74%	+0.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-47.76%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.71%	-2.23%	-0.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.60%	-11.35%	+3.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.55%	3.05%	-0.50%

Volatility

OSCV vs. FDM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Opus Small Cap Value Plus ETF (OSCV) is 3.54%, while First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund (FDM) has a volatility of 4.22%. This indicates that OSCV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FDM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	OSCV	FDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.54%	4.22%	-0.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.43%	13.03%	-3.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.35%	18.77%	-5.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.25%	21.37%	-4.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.91%	23.35%	-2.44%

OSCV vs. FDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

OSCV has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than FDM's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

OSCV vs. FDM - Dividend Comparison

OSCV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.10%, less than FDM's 1.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDM First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund	1.25%	1.43%	1.56%	1.81%	1.80%	1.08%	1.68%	1.37%	1.26%	0.97%	1.13%	1.45%
OSCV Opus Small Cap Value Plus ETF	1.10%	1.23%	1.29%	1.55%	1.12%	1.06%	1.11%	1.75%	0.25%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both OSCV and FDM in my portfolio?

OSCV and FDM 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, OSCV or FDM?

FDM has higher volatility (4.22%) compared to OSCV (3.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OSCV dropped -42.40% vs FDM's -63.45%.

Which ETF is better, OSCV or FDM?

On 5-year performance, FDM leads with 8.84% vs 5.36% for OSCV. On fees, FDM is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, OSCV has been the lower-risk option at 3.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, OSCV or FDM?

Over the 5-year period, FDM has performed better with a 8.84% return vs 5.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, OSCV or FDM?

FDM is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for OSCV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, OSCV or FDM?

FDM has the higher dividend yield at 1.25%, compared with 1.10% for OSCV.

What is the main difference between OSCV and FDM?

They also come from different issuers: Aptus Capital Advisors and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for OSCV and 0.60% for FDM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.73 vs 1.18), 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.