ROSC vs. FDM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ROSC (Hartford Multifactor Small Cap ETF) and FDM (First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds - ROSC tracks the ROSC-US - Hartford Multifactor Small Cap Index while FDM tracks the Dow Jones Select Microcap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ROSC returned 10.48%/yr vs 11.42%/yr for FDM. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ROSC charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FDM.

Performance

ROSC vs. FDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hartford Multifactor Small Cap ETF (ROSC) 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, ROSC achieves a 11.71% return, which is significantly higher than FDM's 7.48% return. Over the past 10 years, ROSC has underperformed FDM with an annualized return of 10.48%, while FDM has yielded a comparatively higher 11.42% annualized return.

ROSC

• 1D: -0.88%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 11.71%
• 6M: 12.39%
• 1Y: 30.49%
• 3Y*: 15.86%
• 5Y*: 8.05%
• 10Y*: 10.48%

FDM

• 1D: -2.13%
• 1M: -2.89%
• YTD: 7.48%
• 6M: 7.77%
• 1Y: 27.59%
• 3Y*: 18.03%
• 5Y*: 8.37%
• 10Y*: 11.42%

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

ROSC vs. FDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ROSC Hartford Multifactor Small Cap ETF	11.71%	10.18%	7.28%	18.88%	-10.58%	31.37%	5.27%	17.09%	-12.38%	24.49%
FDM First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund	7.48%	18.64%	13.00%	12.76%	-11.61%	35.08%	-4.04%	27.45%	-13.53%	8.72%

Correlation

The correlation between ROSC and FDM is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 25, 2015	0.82

The correlation between ROSC and FDM shifts across timeframes, from 0.82 (all time) to 0.94 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ROSC vs. FDM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ROSC	FDM
Healthcare	20.1%	6.2%
Financial Services	18.7%	41.2%
Consumer Cyclical	14.1%	10.0%
Technology	12.1%	6.2%
Industrials	11.2%	16.4%
Consumer Defensive	6.6%	4.7%
Real Estate	5.5%	1.4%
Energy	3.8%	5.0%
Communication Services	3.6%	3.7%
Basic Materials	2.5%	4.2%
Utilities	1.9%	1.0%

Return for Risk

ROSC vs. FDM — Risk / Return Rank

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

ROSC

ROSC Risk / Return Rank: 65
ROSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
ROSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
ROSC Omega Ratio Rank: 57
ROSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
ROSC Martin Ratio Rank: 69

FDM

FDM Risk / Return Rank: 47
FDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
FDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
FDM Omega Ratio Rank: 39
FDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
FDM Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

ROSC vs. FDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford Multifactor Small Cap ETF (ROSC) 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.

	ROSC	FDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.97	1.47	+0.50
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.90	2.18	+0.72
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.26	+0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.95	2.98	+0.97
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.81	9.04	+3.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ROSC vs. FDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ROSC Sharpe Ratio is 1.97, which is higher than the FDM Sharpe Ratio of 1.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ROSC 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

	ROSC	FDM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.97	1.47	+0.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	0.39	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.49	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.34	+0.12

Drawdowns

ROSC vs. FDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ROSC drawdown since its inception was -43.13%, smaller than the maximum FDM drawdown of -63.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ROSC and FDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	ROSC	FDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.13%	-63.45%	+20.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.75%	-9.30%	+1.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.74%	-23.47%	-0.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.74%	-23.74%	0.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.13%	-47.76%	+4.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.76%	-4.31%	+2.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.21%	-11.35%	+4.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.39%	3.06%	-0.67%

Volatility

ROSC vs. FDM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Hartford Multifactor Small Cap ETF (ROSC) is 3.54%, while First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund (FDM) has a volatility of 4.50%. This indicates that ROSC 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

	ROSC	FDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.54%	4.50%	-0.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.30%	13.22%	-2.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.56%	18.90%	-3.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.32%	21.39%	-2.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.28%	23.36%	-3.08%

ROSC vs. FDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

ROSC has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is lower than FDM's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

ROSC vs. FDM - Dividend Comparison

ROSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.87%, more than FDM's 1.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDM First Trust Dow Jones Select MicroCap Index Fund	1.28%	1.43%	1.56%	1.81%	1.80%	1.08%	1.68%	1.37%	1.26%	0.97%	1.13%	1.45%
ROSC Hartford Multifactor Small Cap ETF	1.87%	2.08%	2.00%	2.01%	1.51%	2.13%	1.75%	3.05%	2.86%	2.13%	2.20%	2.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ROSC and FDM in my portfolio?

ROSC and FDM have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ROSC or FDM?

FDM has higher volatility (4.50%) compared to ROSC (3.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ROSC dropped -43.13% vs FDM's -63.45%.

Which ETF is better, ROSC or FDM?

On 10-year performance, FDM leads with 11.42% vs 10.48% for ROSC. On fees, ROSC is cheaper at 0.34% per year. On volatility, ROSC 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, ROSC or FDM?

Over the 10-year period, FDM has performed better with a 11.42% return vs 10.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ROSC or FDM?

ROSC is cheaper with a 0.34% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FDM.

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

ROSC has the higher dividend yield at 1.87%, compared with 1.28% for FDM.

What is the main difference between ROSC and FDM?

ROSC tracks ROSC-US - Hartford Multifactor Small Cap Index, while FDM tracks Dow Jones Select Microcap Index. They also come from different issuers: Hartford and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.34% for ROSC and 0.60% for FDM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ROSC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 1.47), 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.