SDVY vs. AFSM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SDVY (First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) and AFSM (First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds from First Trust. SDVY is passively managed, while AFSM is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, SDVY returned 8.70%/yr vs 8.86%/yr for AFSM. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SDVY charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.77%/yr for AFSM.

Performance

SDVY vs. AFSM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) and First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF (AFSM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SDVY achieves a 8.17% return, which is significantly lower than AFSM's 16.81% return.

SDVY

• 1D: 0.73%
• 1M: -1.83%
• YTD: 8.17%
• 6M: 9.36%
• 1Y: 22.12%
• 3Y*: 17.44%
• 5Y*: 8.70%
• 10Y*: —

AFSM

• 1D: 1.05%
• 1M: 3.40%
• YTD: 16.81%
• 6M: 17.63%
• 1Y: 32.88%
• 3Y*: 18.32%
• 5Y*: 8.86%
• 10Y*: —

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

SDVY vs. AFSM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
SDVY First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	8.17%	8.83%	11.19%	28.58%	-11.98%	29.13%	11.72%	3.26%
AFSM First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF	16.81%	9.99%	10.55%	22.23%	-17.50%	26.03%	8.44%	2.63%

Correlation

The correlation between SDVY and AFSM is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 5, 2019	0.89

The correlation between SDVY and AFSM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

SDVY vs. AFSM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SDVY	AFSM
Financial Services	33.5%	14.9%
Industrials	29.3%	16.9%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	8.6%
Technology	8.4%	20.3%
Consumer Defensive	5.4%	4.7%
Basic Materials	4.2%	4.9%
Energy	3.0%	5.3%
Healthcare	3.0%	17.8%
Communication Services	1.8%	2.3%
Utilities	0.6%	0.3%
Real Estate	-	3.8%

Return for Risk

SDVY vs. AFSM — Risk / Return Rank

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

SDVY

SDVY Risk / Return Rank: 44
SDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
SDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
SDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 39
SDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
SDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 48

AFSM

AFSM Risk / Return Rank: 57
AFSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
AFSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
AFSM Omega Ratio Rank: 49
AFSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
AFSM Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

SDVY vs. AFSM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) and First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF (AFSM). 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.

	SDVY	AFSM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.45	1.85	-0.40
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.23	2.65	-0.42
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.32	-0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.36	3.42	-1.06
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.17	11.26	-3.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SDVY vs. AFSM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDVY Sharpe Ratio is 1.45, which is comparable to the AFSM Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDVY and AFSM, 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

	SDVY	AFSM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.45	1.85	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	0.43	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.45	-0.01

Drawdowns

SDVY vs. AFSM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDVY drawdown since its inception was -44.70%, roughly equal to the maximum AFSM drawdown of -43.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDVY and AFSM.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDVY	AFSM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.70%	-43.54%	-1.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.28%	-9.56%	+0.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.92%	-25.07%	-0.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.92%	-28.27%	+2.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.66%	-0.48%	-2.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.71%	-9.49%	+1.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.68%	2.90%	-0.22%

Volatility

SDVY vs. AFSM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) is 4.26%, while First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF (AFSM) has a volatility of 5.54%. This indicates that SDVY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AFSM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SDVY	AFSM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.26%	5.54%	-1.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.88%	13.12%	-2.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.34%	17.85%	-2.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.04%	20.82%	+0.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.83%	25.40%	-0.57%

SDVY vs. AFSM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDVY has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than AFSM's 0.77% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDVY vs. AFSM - Dividend Comparison

SDVY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.20%, more than AFSM's 0.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AFSM First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF	0.47%	0.58%	0.58%	0.92%	1.28%	0.35%	0.53%	0.32%	0.00%	0.00%
SDVY First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	1.20%	1.69%	1.60%	1.90%	2.28%	1.09%	1.48%	1.69%	1.57%	0.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SDVY and AFSM in my portfolio?

SDVY and AFSM have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SDVY or AFSM?

AFSM has higher volatility (5.54%) compared to SDVY (4.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDVY dropped -44.70% vs AFSM's -43.54%.

Which ETF is better, SDVY or AFSM?

On 5-year performance, AFSM leads with 8.86% vs 8.70% for SDVY. On fees, SDVY is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, SDVY has been the lower-risk option at 4.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SDVY or AFSM?

Over the 5-year period, AFSM has performed better with a 8.86% return vs 8.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SDVY or AFSM?

SDVY is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.77% for AFSM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SDVY or AFSM?

SDVY has the higher dividend yield at 1.20%, compared with 0.47% for AFSM.

What is the main difference between SDVY and AFSM?

Their fees differ too: 0.60% for SDVY and 0.77% for AFSM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AFSM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 1.45), 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.