SDVY vs. PADZX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SDVY (First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) and PADZX (PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund) are both funds - SDVY is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ US Small Mid Cap Rising Dividend Achievers™ Index, while PADZX is a Nontraditional Bonds fund managed by PGIM. Over the past 5 years, SDVY returned 8.63%/yr vs 3.95%/yr for PADZX. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SDVY charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for PADZX.

Performance

SDVY vs. PADZX - 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 PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund (PADZX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SDVY achieves a 8.72% return, which is significantly higher than PADZX's 2.29% return.

SDVY

• 1D: 0.95%
• 1M: -1.80%
• YTD: 8.72%
• 6M: 8.43%
• 1Y: 21.92%
• 3Y*: 18.19%
• 5Y*: 8.63%
• 10Y*: —

PADZX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 2.29%
• 6M: 2.78%
• 1Y: 5.92%
• 3Y*: 6.49%
• 5Y*: 3.95%
• 10Y*: 4.32%

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

SDVY vs. PADZX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SDVY First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	8.72%	8.83%	11.19%	28.58%	-11.98%	29.13%	11.72%	25.62%	-15.26%	5.78%
PADZX PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund	2.29%	5.10%	7.48%	6.11%	-1.55%	1.87%	0.59%	11.10%	0.71%	0.84%

Correlation

The correlation between SDVY and PADZX is 0.10, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.10
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2017	0.09

Return for Risk

SDVY vs. PADZX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SDVY

SDVY Risk / Return Rank: 45
SDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
SDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
SDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 40
SDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
SDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 49

PADZX

PADZX Risk / Return Rank: 96
PADZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
PADZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
PADZX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
PADZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
PADZX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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. PADZX - 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 PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund (PADZX). 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	PADZX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.44	2.78	-1.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.21	6.26	-4.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	2.86	-1.60
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.37	7.71	-5.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.17	38.13	-29.97
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. PADZX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDVY Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is lower than the PADZX Sharpe Ratio of 2.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDVY and PADZX, 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	PADZX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.44	2.78	-1.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	1.84	-1.43
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.37	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	1.20	-0.76

Drawdowns

SDVY vs. PADZX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDVY drawdown since its inception was -44.70%, which is greater than PADZX's maximum drawdown of -17.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDVY and PADZX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDVY	PADZX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.70%	-17.99%	-26.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.28%	-0.76%	-8.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.92%	-0.98%	-24.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.92%	-4.05%	-21.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-17.99%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.17%	-0.76%	-1.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.71%	-0.95%	-6.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.69%	0.15%	+2.54%

Volatility

SDVY vs. PADZX - Volatility Comparison

First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) has a higher volatility of 3.92% compared to PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund (PADZX) at 1.42%. This indicates that SDVY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PADZX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SDVY	PADZX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.92%	1.42%	+2.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.91%	1.77%	+9.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.32%	2.10%	+13.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.04%	2.16%	+18.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.82%	3.16%	+21.66%

SDVY vs. PADZX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDVY has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than PADZX's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDVY vs. PADZX - Dividend Comparison

SDVY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.19%, less than PADZX's 5.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PADZX PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund	5.08%	5.07%	5.18%	4.09%	2.89%	2.40%	3.41%	10.79%	5.02%	2.75%	2.36%	2.38%
SDVY First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	1.19%	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 PADZX in my portfolio?

SDVY and PADZX have a correlation of 0.10, 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 PADZX?

SDVY has higher volatility (3.92%) compared to PADZX (1.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDVY dropped -44.70% vs PADZX's -17.99%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PADZX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.78 vs 1.44), 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.