SFLO vs. FESM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SFLO (Victoryshares Small Cap Free Cash Flow ETF) and FESM (Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. SFLO is passively managed, while FESM is actively managed. Over the past year, SFLO returned 32.02% vs 46.73% for FESM. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SFLO charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for FESM.

Performance

SFLO vs. FESM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Victoryshares Small Cap Free Cash Flow ETF (SFLO) and Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF (FESM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SFLO achieves a 13.58% return, which is significantly lower than FESM's 19.64% return.

SFLO

• 1D: -1.52%
• 1M: 1.28%
• YTD: 13.58%
• 6M: 12.24%
• 1Y: 32.02%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FESM

• 1D: -1.51%
• 1M: 3.13%
• YTD: 19.64%
• 6M: 19.11%
• 1Y: 46.73%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SFLO vs. FESM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
SFLO Victoryshares Small Cap Free Cash Flow ETF	13.58%	11.88%	6.54%	-0.16%
FESM Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF	19.64%	17.88%	16.22%	0.72%

Correlation

The correlation between SFLO and FESM is 0.76, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 2023	0.83

The correlation between SFLO and FESM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

SFLO vs. FESM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SFLO	FESM
Technology	25.6%	21.6%
Healthcare	18.0%	15.7%
Consumer Cyclical	16.9%	7.4%
Energy	14.8%	7.2%
Industrials	10.5%	19.1%
Communication Services	7.3%	3.1%
Consumer Defensive	5.1%	1.4%
Basic Materials	1.6%	3.5%
Financial Services	0.3%	14.8%
Utilities	0.1%	2.0%
Real Estate	0.1%	4.2%

Return for Risk

SFLO vs. FESM — Risk / Return Rank

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

SFLO

SFLO Risk / Return Rank: 63
SFLO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
SFLO Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
SFLO Omega Ratio Rank: 51
SFLO Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
SFLO Martin Ratio Rank: 73

FESM

FESM Risk / Return Rank: 76
FESM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
FESM Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
FESM Omega Ratio Rank: 66
FESM Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
FESM Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

SFLO vs. FESM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Victoryshares Small Cap Free Cash Flow ETF (SFLO) and Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF (FESM). 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.

	SFLO	FESM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	2.48	-0.60
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.72	3.34	-0.63
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.41	-0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.12	4.61	-0.49
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.73	16.60	-2.87
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SFLO vs. FESM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SFLO Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is comparable to the FESM Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SFLO and FESM, 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

	SFLO	FESM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87	2.48	-0.60
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	1.29	-0.65

Drawdowns

SFLO vs. FESM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SFLO drawdown since its inception was -26.63%, roughly equal to the maximum FESM drawdown of -26.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SFLO and FESM.

Drawdown Indicators

	SFLO	FESM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.63%	-26.93%	+0.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.80%	-10.18%	+2.38%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.70%	-1.59%	-1.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.33%	-4.79%	+0.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.34%	2.82%	-0.48%

Volatility

SFLO vs. FESM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Victoryshares Small Cap Free Cash Flow ETF (SFLO) is 5.26%, while Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF (FESM) has a volatility of 5.64%. This indicates that SFLO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FESM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SFLO	FESM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.26%	5.64%	-0.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.45%	13.32%	-1.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.30%	18.98%	-1.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.55%	21.26%	-0.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.55%	21.26%	-0.71%

SFLO vs. FESM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SFLO has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than FESM's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

SFLO vs. FESM - Dividend Comparison

SFLO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.85%, more than FESM's 0.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
FESM Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF	0.53%	0.82%	1.08%	0.06%
SFLO Victoryshares Small Cap Free Cash Flow ETF	0.85%	1.04%	1.28%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SFLO and FESM in my portfolio?

SFLO and FESM have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SFLO or FESM?

FESM has higher volatility (5.64%) compared to SFLO (5.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SFLO dropped -26.63% vs FESM's -26.93%.

Which ETF is better, SFLO or FESM?

On 1-year performance, FESM leads with 46.73% vs 32.02% for SFLO. On fees, FESM is cheaper at 0.28% per year. On volatility, SFLO has been the lower-risk option at 5.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SFLO or FESM?

Over the 1-year period, FESM has performed better with a 46.73% return vs 32.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SFLO or FESM?

FESM is cheaper with a 0.28% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for SFLO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SFLO or FESM?

SFLO has the higher dividend yield at 0.85%, compared with 0.53% for FESM.

What is the main difference between SFLO and FESM?

They also come from different issuers: Victory and Fidelity. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for SFLO and 0.28% for FESM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FESM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 1.87), 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.