SDVY vs. ASCE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SDVY (First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) and ASCE (Allspring SMID Core ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. SDVY is passively managed, while ASCE is actively managed. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SDVY charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for ASCE.

Performance

SDVY vs. ASCE - 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 Allspring SMID Core ETF (ASCE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SDVY achieves a 7.70% return, which is significantly lower than ASCE's 22.25% return.

SDVY

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: -1.18%
• YTD: 7.70%
• 6M: 7.75%
• 1Y: 20.08%
• 3Y*: 17.26%
• 5Y*: 8.43%
• 10Y*: —

ASCE

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: 5.38%
• YTD: 22.25%
• 6M: 21.06%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SDVY vs. ASCE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SDVY First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	7.70%	6.56%
ASCE Allspring SMID Core ETF	22.25%	8.61%

Correlation

The correlation between SDVY and ASCE 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 9, 2025	0.82

Return for Risk

SDVY vs. ASCE — Risk / Return Rank

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

SDVY

SDVY Risk / Return Rank: 40
SDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
SDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
SDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 35
SDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
SDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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. ASCE - 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 Allspring SMID Core ETF (ASCE). 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	ASCE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.32	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.05	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.17	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.49	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SDVY	ASCE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.32	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	1.92	-1.48

Drawdowns

SDVY vs. ASCE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDVY drawdown since its inception was -44.70%, which is greater than ASCE's maximum drawdown of -9.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDVY and ASCE.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDVY	ASCE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.70%	-9.22%	-35.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.28%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.92%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.92%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.08%	-0.38%	-2.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.71%	-2.10%	-5.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.69%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SDVY	ASCE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.14%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.89%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.34%	19.25%	-3.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.04%	19.25%	+1.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.82%	19.25%	+5.57%

SDVY vs. ASCE - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDVY has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than ASCE's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDVY vs. ASCE - Dividend Comparison

SDVY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.20%, more than ASCE's 0.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ASCE Allspring SMID Core ETF	0.18%	0.22%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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 ASCE in my portfolio?

SDVY and ASCE 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 ETF is better, SDVY or ASCE?

On fees, ASCE is cheaper at 0.38% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, SDVY or ASCE?

ASCE is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for SDVY.

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

SDVY has the higher dividend yield at 1.20%, compared with 0.18% for ASCE.

What is the main difference between SDVY and ASCE?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Allspring. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for SDVY and 0.38% for ASCE.