SAWS vs. FYC

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

SAWS (AAM Sawgrass U.S. Small Cap Quality Growth ETF) and FYC (First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. SAWS is actively managed, while FYC is passively managed. Over the past year, SAWS returned 29.77% vs 54.56% for FYC. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SAWS charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.71%/yr for FYC.

Performance

SAWS vs. FYC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AAM Sawgrass U.S. Small Cap Quality Growth ETF (SAWS) and First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FYC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SAWS achieves a 20.28% return, which is significantly lower than FYC's 25.87% return.

SAWS

• 1D: 0.67%
• 1M: 9.30%
• YTD: 20.28%
• 6M: 17.15%
• 1Y: 29.77%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FYC

• 1D: 0.56%
• 1M: 5.72%
• YTD: 25.87%
• 6M: 22.46%
• 1Y: 54.56%
• 3Y*: 28.38%
• 5Y*: 10.77%
• 10Y*: 15.16%

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

SAWS vs. FYC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SAWS AAM Sawgrass U.S. Small Cap Quality Growth ETF	20.28%	7.26%	4.18%
FYC First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	25.87%	24.24%	10.29%

Correlation

The correlation between SAWS and FYC 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 31, 2024	0.87

The correlation between SAWS and FYC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

SAWS vs. FYC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SAWS	FYC
Industrials	25.3%	18.7%
Healthcare	21.1%	25.3%
Technology	16.1%	17.5%
Financial Services	12.1%	8.9%
Consumer Cyclical	8.9%	9.5%
Consumer Defensive	7.6%	3.2%
Energy	5.3%	2.2%
Basic Materials	2.9%	3.7%
Communication Services	0.7%	3.7%
Real Estate	-	5.7%
Utilities	-	1.6%

Return for Risk

SAWS vs. FYC — Risk / Return Rank

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

SAWS

SAWS Risk / Return Rank: 58
SAWS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
SAWS Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
SAWS Omega Ratio Rank: 49
SAWS Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SAWS Martin Ratio Rank: 61

FYC

FYC Risk / Return Rank: 87
FYC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
FYC Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
FYC Omega Ratio Rank: 78
FYC Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
FYC Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

SAWS vs. FYC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AAM Sawgrass U.S. Small Cap Quality Growth ETF (SAWS) and First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FYC). 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.

	SAWS	FYC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.62	2.54	-0.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.41	3.41	-1.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.41	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.92	5.23	-2.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.53	18.96	-9.42

SAWS vs. FYC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SAWS Sharpe Ratio is 1.62, which is lower than the FYC Sharpe Ratio of 2.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SAWS and FYC, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SAWS vs. FYC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SAWS drawdown since its inception was -22.04%, smaller than the maximum FYC drawdown of -47.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SAWS and FYC.

Drawdown Indicators

	SAWS	FYC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.04%	-47.85%	+25.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.23%	-10.48%	+0.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-27.79%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.37%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-47.85%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.25%	-0.19%	-0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.46%	-9.62%	+4.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.13%	2.89%	+0.24%

Volatility

SAWS vs. FYC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AAM Sawgrass U.S. Small Cap Quality Growth ETF (SAWS) is 5.35%, while First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FYC) has a volatility of 7.00%. This indicates that SAWS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FYC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SAWS	FYC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.35%	7.00%	-1.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.14%	15.72%	-1.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.53%	21.63%	-3.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.00%	23.72%	-2.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.00%	24.61%	-3.61%

SAWS vs. FYC - Expense Ratio Comparison

SAWS has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than FYC's 0.71% expense ratio.

Dividends

SAWS vs. FYC - Dividend Comparison

SAWS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.02%, less than FYC's 0.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FYC First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	0.06%	0.08%	0.72%	0.58%	0.00%	0.63%	0.12%	0.39%	0.09%	0.10%	0.31%	0.21%
SAWS AAM Sawgrass U.S. Small Cap Quality Growth ETF	0.02%	0.02%	0.03%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SAWS and FYC in my portfolio?

SAWS and FYC 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, SAWS or FYC?

FYC has higher volatility (7.00%) compared to SAWS (5.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SAWS dropped -22.04% vs FYC's -47.85%.

Which ETF is better, SAWS or FYC?

On 1-year performance, FYC leads with 54.56% vs 29.77% for SAWS. On fees, SAWS is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, SAWS has been the lower-risk option at 5.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SAWS or FYC?

Over the 1-year period, FYC has performed better with a 54.56% return vs 29.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SAWS or FYC?

SAWS is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.71% for FYC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SAWS or FYC?

FYC has the higher dividend yield at 0.06%, compared with 0.02% for SAWS.

What is the main difference between SAWS and FYC?

They also come from different issuers: AAM and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for SAWS and 0.71% for FYC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FYC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.54 vs 1.62), 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.