SDVY vs. FNDA

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

SDVY (First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) and FNDA (Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds - SDVY tracks the NASDAQ US Small Mid Cap Rising Dividend Achievers™ Index while FNDA tracks the RAFI Fundamental High Liquidity U.S. Small Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SDVY returned 10.56%/yr vs 8.52%/yr for FNDA. Their correlation of 0.88 means they have usually moved in the same direction. SDVY charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for FNDA.

Performance

SDVY vs. FNDA - 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 Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company ETF (FNDA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SDVY achieves a 14.77% return, which is significantly lower than FNDA's 18.48% return.

SDVY

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 1.44%
• 6M: 8.90%
• YTD: 14.77%
• 1Y: 24.71%
• 3Y*: 15.03%
• 5Y*: 10.56%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.30%

FNDA

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: -1.21%
• 6M: 11.94%
• YTD: 18.48%
• 1Y: 30.92%
• 3Y*: 13.16%
• 5Y*: 8.52%
• 10Y*: 10.90%
• ALL TIME*: 10.34%

*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)
FNDA Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company ETF	$15.42M	$15.07M	$42.17M
SDVY First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	$38.61M	$37.48M	$45.12M

SDVY vs. FNDA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SDVY First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	14.77%	8.83%	11.19%	28.58%	-11.98%	29.13%	11.72%	25.62%	-15.26%	5.62%
FNDA Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company ETF	18.48%	7.44%	9.00%	20.29%	-14.83%	31.12%	8.44%	24.34%	-12.12%	4.28%

Correlation

The correlation between SDVY and FNDA 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.	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2017	0.88

The correlation between SDVY and FNDA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

SDVY vs. FNDA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SDVY	FNDA
Financial Services	33.9%	15.5%
Industrials	27.6%	18.6%
Consumer Cyclical	9.2%	11.7%
Technology	8.6%	14.6%
Basic Materials	5.7%	5.1%
Consumer Defensive	5.2%	4.2%
Healthcare	3.4%	7.7%
Energy	2.9%	5.6%
Communication Services	2.3%	3.8%
Real Estate	0.6%	10.2%
Utilities	0.6%	2.7%

Return for Risk

SDVY vs. FNDA — Risk / Return Rank

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

SDVY

SDVY Risk / Return Rank: 69
SDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
SDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
SDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 64
SDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
SDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 70

FNDA

FNDA Risk / Return Rank: 78
FNDA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
FNDA Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
FNDA Omega Ratio Rank: 72
FNDA Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
FNDA Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

SDVY vs. FNDA - 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 Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company ETF (FNDA). 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.

	SDVY	FNDA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.52	1.71	-0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.33	2.51	-0.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.30	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.46	3.10	-0.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.50	10.14	-1.64

SDVY vs. FNDA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDVY Sharpe Ratio is 1.52, which is comparable to the FNDA Sharpe Ratio of 1.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDVY and FNDA, 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

SDVY vs. FNDA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDVY drawdown since its inception was -44.70%, roughly equal to the maximum FNDA drawdown of -44.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDVY and FNDA.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDVY	FNDA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.70%	-44.64%	-0.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.28%	-9.36%	+0.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.92%	-25.92%	0.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.92%	-25.92%	0.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-44.64%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.82%	-2.35%	+1.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.58%	-6.62%	-0.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.69%	2.86%	-0.17%

Volatility

SDVY vs. FNDA - Volatility Comparison

First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) has a higher volatility of 3.69% compared to Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company ETF (FNDA) at 3.40%. This indicates that SDVY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FNDA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SDVY	FNDA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.69%	3.40%	+0.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.58%	11.81%	-1.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.07%	17.02%	-1.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.84%	20.71%	+0.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.65%	22.31%	+2.34%

SDVY vs. FNDA - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDVY has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than FNDA's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDVY vs. FNDA - Dividend Comparison

SDVY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.94%, less than FNDA's 1.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FNDA Schwab Fundamental U.S. Small Company ETF	1.12%	1.22%	1.53%	1.37%	1.38%	1.15%	1.31%	1.38%	1.64%	1.30%	1.18%	1.33%
SDVY First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	0.94%	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

Can I hold both SDVY and FNDA in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, SDVY and FNDA 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, SDVY or FNDA?

SDVY has higher volatility (3.69%) compared to FNDA (3.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDVY dropped -44.70% vs FNDA's -44.64%.

Which ETF is better, SDVY or FNDA?

On 5-year performance, SDVY leads with 10.56% vs 8.52% for FNDA. On fees, FNDA is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, FNDA has been the lower-risk option at 3.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SDVY or FNDA?

Over the 5-year period, SDVY has performed better with a 10.56% return vs 8.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SDVY or FNDA?

FNDA is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for SDVY.

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

FNDA has the higher dividend yield at 1.12%, compared with 0.94% for SDVY.

What is the main difference between SDVY and FNDA?

SDVY tracks NASDAQ US Small Mid Cap Rising Dividend Achievers™ Index, while FNDA tracks RAFI Fundamental High Liquidity U.S. Small Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for SDVY and 0.25% for FNDA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FNDA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 vs 1.52), 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.