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SDVY vs. EZM
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SDVY vs. EZM

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SDVY (First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) and EZM (WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Earnings Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - SDVY is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ US Small Mid Cap Rising Dividend Achievers™ Index, while EZM is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SDVY returned 9.74%/yr vs 8.74%/yr for EZM. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SDVY charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for EZM.

Performance

SDVY vs. EZM - 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 WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Earnings Fund (EZM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SDVY achieves a 10.50% return, which is significantly lower than EZM's 11.89% return.

SDVY

1D
-0.26%
1M
1.69%
YTD
10.50%
6M
7.94%
1Y
22.71%
3Y*
17.76%
5Y*
9.74%
10Y*
—

EZM

1D
-0.44%
1M
2.64%
YTD
11.89%
6M
10.26%
1Y
23.90%
3Y*
15.31%
5Y*
8.74%
10Y*
11.19%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SDVY vs. EZM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SDVY
First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF		10.50%8.83%11.19%28.58%-11.98%29.13%11.72%25.62%-15.26%5.62%
EZM
WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Earnings Fund		11.89%8.42%10.29%19.69%-12.22%31.00%5.57%24.48%-12.36%5.27%

Correlation

The correlation between SDVY and EZM is 0.94, 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

0.94

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.96

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.97

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2017

0.89

The correlation between SDVY and EZM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

SDVY vs. EZM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SDVY
EZM

Financial Services

33.3%
19.0%

Industrials

29.3%
16.4%

Consumer Cyclical

8.6%
15.2%

Technology

8.6%
13.6%

Consumer Defensive

5.2%
5.1%

Basic Materials

4.6%
4.4%

Healthcare

3.4%
9.9%

Energy

2.9%
6.4%

Communication Services

2.3%
1.9%

Real Estate

0.6%
5.0%

Utilities

0.6%
3.2%

Financial Services

SDVY
33.3%
EZM
19.0%

Industrials

SDVY
29.3%
EZM
16.4%

Consumer Cyclical

SDVY
8.6%
EZM
15.2%

Technology

SDVY
8.6%
EZM
13.6%

Consumer Defensive

SDVY
5.2%
EZM
5.1%

Basic Materials

SDVY
4.6%
EZM
4.4%

Healthcare

SDVY
3.4%
EZM
9.9%

Energy

SDVY
2.9%
EZM
6.4%

Communication Services

SDVY
2.3%
EZM
1.9%

Real Estate

SDVY
0.6%
EZM
5.0%

Utilities

SDVY
0.6%
EZM
3.2%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF

WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Earnings Fund

Often compared with SDVY:
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Often compared with EZM:
EZM vs. JHQAXEZM vs. IQDGEZM vs. REGLEZM vs. SPMDEZM vs. RFVEZM vs. IMCGEZM vs. FLQM

Return for Risk

SDVY vs. EZM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SDVY
SDVY Risk / Return Rank: 4848
Overall Rank
SDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4545
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 4848
Sortino Ratio Rank
SDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 4242
Omega Ratio Rank
SDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 5353
Calmar Ratio Rank
SDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 5252
Martin Ratio Rank
EZM
EZM Risk / Return Rank: 5454
Overall Rank
EZM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5050
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EZM Sortino Ratio Rank: 5454
Sortino Ratio Rank
EZM Omega Ratio Rank: 4747
Omega Ratio Rank
EZM Calmar Ratio Rank: 6060
Calmar Ratio Rank
EZM Martin Ratio Rank: 5757
Martin Ratio Rank
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. EZM - 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 WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Earnings Fund (EZM). 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.

SDVYEZMDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.49
1.60

-0.11

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.28
2.44

-0.15

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.26

1.28

-0.02

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.46

2.76

-0.30

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.44

9.36

-0.92

SDVY vs. EZM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDVY Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is comparable to the EZM Sharpe Ratio of 1.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDVY and EZM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

SDVY vs. EZM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDVY drawdown since its inception was -44.70%, smaller than the maximum EZM drawdown of -59.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDVY and EZM.

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Drawdown Indicators

SDVYEZMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-44.70%

-59.58%

+14.88%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.28%

-8.70%

-0.58%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-25.92%

-23.53%

-2.39%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.92%

-23.53%

-2.39%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-47.26%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.56%

-1.01%

+0.45%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.67%

-8.25%

+0.58%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.70%

2.56%

+0.14%

Volatility

SDVY vs. EZM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) is 3.73%, while WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Earnings Fund (EZM) has a volatility of 4.05%. This indicates that SDVY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EZM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

SDVYEZMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.73%

4.05%

-0.32%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.94%

10.54%

+0.40%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.38%

15.06%

+0.32%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

20.96%

20.40%

+0.56%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

24.76%

22.33%

+2.43%

SDVY vs. EZM - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

SDVY vs. EZM - Dividend Comparison

SDVY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.17%, less than EZM's 1.25% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EZM
WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Earnings Fund		1.25%1.39%1.22%1.25%1.57%1.08%1.67%1.34%1.57%1.14%1.55%1.30%
SDVY
First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF		1.17%1.69%1.60%1.90%2.28%1.09%1.48%1.69%1.57%0.29%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.94, SDVY and EZM 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.

EZM has higher volatility (4.05%) compared to SDVY (3.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDVY dropped -44.70% vs EZM's -59.58%.

On 5-year performance, SDVY leads with 9.74% vs 8.74% for EZM. On fees, EZM is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, SDVY has been the lower-risk option at 3.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, SDVY has performed better with a 9.74% return vs 8.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

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

EZM has the higher dividend yield at 1.25%, compared with 1.17% for SDVY.

SDVY is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while EZM is Mid Cap Blend Equities. SDVY tracks NASDAQ US Small Mid Cap Rising Dividend Achievers™ Index, while EZM tracks WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for SDVY and 0.38% for EZM.

EZM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.60 vs 1.49), 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.

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