SIXA vs. FEX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

SIXA (6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF) and FEX (First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. SIXA is actively managed, while FEX is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SIXA returned 12.46%/yr vs 10.92%/yr for FEX. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. SIXA charges 0.86%/yr vs 0.57%/yr for FEX.

Performance

SIXA vs. FEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF (SIXA) and First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SIXA achieves a 14.36% return, which is significantly lower than FEX's 16.59% return.

SIXA

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: 0.88%
• 6M: 8.31%
• YTD: 14.36%
• 1Y: 19.61%
• 3Y*: 19.93%
• 5Y*: 12.46%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.02%

FEX

• 1D: 1.03%
• 1M: 0.43%
• 6M: 11.73%
• YTD: 16.59%
• 1Y: 26.18%
• 3Y*: 18.57%
• 5Y*: 10.92%
• 10Y*: 12.82%
• ALL TIME*: 9.64%

*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)
FEX First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund	$3.97M	$3.32M	$3.45M
SIXA 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF	$1.52M	$1.58M	$834.78K

SIXA vs. FEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
SIXA 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF	14.36%	15.52%	22.70%	11.98%	-5.72%	23.87%	19.04%
FEX First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund	16.59%	15.05%	17.07%	14.31%	-11.86%	26.83%	33.82%

Correlation

The correlation between SIXA and FEX is 0.66, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 2020	0.84

The correlation between SIXA and FEX shifts across timeframes, from 0.66 (1 year) to 0.84 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SIXA vs. FEX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SIXA	FEX
Consumer Defensive	23.8%	4.3%
Technology	17.0%	22.8%
Healthcare	15.0%	9.1%
Financial Services	12.8%	13.9%
Communication Services	10.4%	3.0%
Consumer Cyclical	5.1%	8.2%
Energy	4.9%	5.2%
Industrials	4.6%	19.0%
Real Estate	3.8%	4.4%
Utilities	2.7%	7.0%
Basic Materials	-	3.2%

Return for Risk

SIXA vs. FEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SIXA

SIXA Risk / Return Rank: 87
SIXA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
SIXA Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
SIXA Omega Ratio Rank: 85
SIXA Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
SIXA Martin Ratio Rank: 87

FEX

FEX Risk / Return Rank: 84
FEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
FEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
FEX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
FEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
FEX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

SIXA vs. FEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF (SIXA) and First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FEX). 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.

	SIXA	FEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	1.98	+0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.25	2.77	+0.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.35	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.52	4.22	-0.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.39	14.07	-0.67

SIXA vs. FEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SIXA Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is comparable to the FEX Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SIXA and FEX, 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

SIXA vs. FEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SIXA drawdown since its inception was -18.38%, smaller than the maximum FEX drawdown of -58.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SIXA and FEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SIXA	FEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.38%	-58.81%	+40.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.59%	-6.23%	+0.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.22%	-19.58%	+8.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.38%	-21.27%	+2.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-39.51%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.40%	-1.56%	+0.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.93%	-7.83%	+4.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.47%	1.87%	-0.40%

Volatility

SIXA vs. FEX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF (SIXA) is 2.69%, while First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FEX) has a volatility of 2.89%. This indicates that SIXA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SIXA	FEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.69%	2.89%	-0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.96%	10.07%	-3.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.02%	13.28%	-4.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.77%	16.56%	-3.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.26%	18.57%	-5.31%

SIXA vs. FEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SIXA has a 0.86% expense ratio, which is higher than FEX's 0.57% expense ratio.

Dividends

SIXA vs. FEX - Dividend Comparison

SIXA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.98%, more than FEX's 0.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FEX First Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund	0.94%	1.10%	1.18%	1.38%	1.61%	0.80%	1.21%	1.32%	1.34%	1.07%	1.29%	1.33%
SIXA 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF	1.98%	2.31%	1.62%	2.12%	2.23%	1.63%	1.13%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SIXA and FEX in my portfolio?

SIXA and FEX have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SIXA or FEX?

FEX has higher volatility (2.89%) compared to SIXA (2.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SIXA dropped -18.38% vs FEX's -58.81%.

Which ETF is better, SIXA or FEX?

On 5-year performance, SIXA leads with 12.46% vs 10.92% for FEX. On fees, FEX is cheaper at 0.57% per year. On volatility, SIXA has been the lower-risk option at 2.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SIXA or FEX?

Over the 5-year period, SIXA has performed better with a 12.46% return vs 10.92%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SIXA or FEX?

FEX is cheaper with a 0.57% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for SIXA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SIXA or FEX?

SIXA has the higher dividend yield at 1.98%, compared with 0.94% for FEX.

What is the main difference between SIXA and FEX?

They also come from different issuers: Exchange Traded Concepts and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.86% for SIXA and 0.57% for FEX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SIXA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 1.98), 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.