SDOG vs. FTA

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

SDOG (ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF) and FTA (First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds - SDOG tracks the S-Network Sector Dividend Dogs Index while FTA tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SDOG returned 9.82%/yr vs 11.60%/yr for FTA. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. SDOG charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTA.

Performance

SDOG vs. FTA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (SDOG) and First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SDOG achieves a 20.66% return, which is significantly higher than FTA's 18.18% return. Over the past 10 years, SDOG has underperformed FTA with an annualized return of 9.82%, while FTA has yielded a comparatively higher 11.60% annualized return.

SDOG

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: 2.84%
• 6M: 14.17%
• YTD: 20.66%
• 1Y: 31.23%
• 3Y*: 16.12%
• 5Y*: 10.90%
• 10Y*: 9.82%
• ALL TIME*: 11.77%

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

Position	Avg. 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
SDOG ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF	$2.77M	$3.32M	$3.60M

SDOG vs. FTA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SDOG ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF	20.66%	11.12%	14.70%	4.19%	-0.20%	24.59%	-0.35%	24.02%	-11.43%	12.65%
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 SDOG and FTA is 0.91, 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.	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 29, 2012	0.93

The correlation between SDOG and FTA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

SDOG vs. FTA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SDOG	FTA
Consumer Cyclical	16.8%	9.3%
Technology	11.2%	7.3%
Healthcare	10.5%	10.2%
Utilities	10.5%	11.1%
Financial Services	10.3%	23.2%
Consumer Defensive	10.2%	6.5%
Energy	9.6%	9.2%
Communication Services	9.4%	4.6%
Industrials	8.3%	8.8%
Basic Materials	3.3%	3.2%
Real Estate	-	6.6%

Return for Risk

SDOG vs. FTA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SDOG

SDOG Risk / Return Rank: 94
SDOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
SDOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SDOG Omega Ratio Rank: 92
SDOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
SDOG Martin Ratio Rank: 93

FTA

FTA Risk / Return Rank: 94
FTA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
FTA Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
FTA Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FTA Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
FTA Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

SDOG vs. FTA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (SDOG) 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.

	SDOG	FTA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.62	2.63	-0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.95	3.90	+0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.46	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.85	5.93	-1.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.71	20.26	-3.55

SDOG vs. FTA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDOG Sharpe Ratio is 2.62, which is comparable to the FTA Sharpe Ratio of 2.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDOG 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.

Drawdowns

SDOG vs. FTA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDOG drawdown since its inception was -43.56%, smaller than the maximum FTA drawdown of -62.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDOG and FTA.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDOG	FTA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.56%	-62.45%	+18.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.24%	-5.13%	-1.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.00%	-18.73%	+2.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.84%	-19.80%	-0.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.56%	-44.97%	+1.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.22%	-1.56%	-0.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.87%	-8.97%	+4.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.81%	1.50%	+0.31%

Volatility

SDOG vs. FTA - Volatility Comparison

ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (SDOG) and First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) have volatilities of 4.12% and 3.93%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SDOG	FTA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.12%	3.93%	+0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.40%	8.04%	+0.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.59%	11.61%	-0.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.35%	16.23%	-0.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.98%	19.85%	-0.87%

SDOG vs. FTA - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDOG has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is lower than FTA's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDOG vs. FTA - Dividend Comparison

SDOG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.33%, more than FTA's 1.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
SDOG ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF	3.33%	3.68%	3.86%	4.29%	3.87%	3.62%	3.63%	3.37%	4.03%	3.27%	3.32%	3.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SDOG and FTA in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, SDOG and FTA move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, SDOG or FTA?

SDOG has higher volatility (4.12%) compared to FTA (3.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDOG dropped -43.56% vs FTA's -62.45%.

Which ETF is better, SDOG or FTA?

On 10-year performance, FTA leads with 11.60% vs 9.82% for SDOG. On fees, SDOG is cheaper at 0.36% per year. On volatility, FTA has been the lower-risk option at 3.93%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SDOG or FTA?

Over the 10-year period, FTA has performed better with a 11.60% return vs 9.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SDOG or FTA?

SDOG is cheaper with a 0.36% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SDOG or FTA?

SDOG has the higher dividend yield at 3.33%, compared with 1.61% for FTA.

What is the main difference between SDOG and FTA?

SDOG tracks S-Network Sector Dividend Dogs Index, while FTA tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Value Index. They also come from different issuers: SS&C and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.36% for SDOG and 0.60% for FTA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 2.62), 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.