SIZE vs. FTDS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SIZE (iShares MSCI USA Size Factor ETF) and FTDS (First Trust Dividend Strength ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds - SIZE tracks the MSCI USA Low Size Index while FTDS tracks the Dividend Strength Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SIZE returned 11.76%/yr vs 10.75%/yr for FTDS. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SIZE charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for FTDS.

Performance

SIZE vs. FTDS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI USA Size Factor ETF (SIZE) and First Trust Dividend Strength ETF (FTDS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SIZE achieves a 9.07% return, which is significantly higher than FTDS's 6.54% return. Over the past 10 years, SIZE has outperformed FTDS with an annualized return of 11.76%, while FTDS has yielded a comparatively lower 10.75% annualized return.

SIZE

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: 3.62%
• YTD: 9.07%
• 6M: 8.29%
• 1Y: 18.11%
• 3Y*: 15.94%
• 5Y*: 8.07%
• 10Y*: 11.76%

FTDS

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: -2.16%
• YTD: 6.54%
• 6M: 6.72%
• 1Y: 18.40%
• 3Y*: 16.04%
• 5Y*: 6.32%
• 10Y*: 10.75%

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

SIZE vs. FTDS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SIZE iShares MSCI USA Size Factor ETF	9.07%	10.51%	14.37%	17.78%	-15.86%	25.05%	16.26%	28.97%	-6.59%	18.76%
FTDS First Trust Dividend Strength ETF	6.54%	13.64%	11.12%	11.75%	-13.54%	24.79%	14.16%	24.29%	-10.35%	20.07%

Correlation

The correlation between SIZE and FTDS 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 (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 19, 2013	0.70

The correlation between SIZE and FTDS shifts across timeframes, from 0.70 (all time) to 0.84 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SIZE vs. FTDS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SIZE	FTDS
Technology	19.9%	9.4%
Industrials	16.1%	19.8%
Financial Services	13.5%	27.9%
Consumer Cyclical	9.8%	3.4%
Healthcare	9.6%	9.4%
Real Estate	5.7%	-
Consumer Defensive	5.7%	1.9%
Utilities	5.5%	-
Energy	5.2%	20.2%
Basic Materials	4.8%	8.0%
Communication Services	4.1%	-

Return for Risk

SIZE vs. FTDS — Risk / Return Rank

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

SIZE

SIZE Risk / Return Rank: 44
SIZE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
SIZE Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
SIZE Omega Ratio Rank: 38
SIZE Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
SIZE Martin Ratio Rank: 52

FTDS

FTDS Risk / Return Rank: 45
FTDS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
FTDS Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
FTDS Omega Ratio Rank: 39
FTDS Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
FTDS Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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.

SIZE vs. FTDS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Size Factor ETF (SIZE) and First Trust Dividend Strength ETF (FTDS). 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.

	SIZE	FTDS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.43	1.44	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.12	2.19	-0.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.25	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.28	2.81	-0.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.88	7.56	+1.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SIZE vs. FTDS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SIZE Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is comparable to the FTDS Sharpe Ratio of 1.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SIZE and FTDS, 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

	SIZE	FTDS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.43	1.44	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.36	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63	0.54	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.68	0.32	+0.37

Drawdowns

SIZE vs. FTDS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SIZE drawdown since its inception was -39.15%, smaller than the maximum FTDS drawdown of -56.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SIZE and FTDS.

Drawdown Indicators

	SIZE	FTDS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.15%	-56.53%	+17.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.97%	-6.57%	-1.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.71%	-18.04%	-0.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.03%	-23.35%	-0.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.15%	-42.47%	+3.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.68%	-4.46%	+3.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.18%	-9.87%	+5.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.04%	2.44%	-0.40%

Volatility

SIZE vs. FTDS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI USA Size Factor ETF (SIZE) is 3.17%, while First Trust Dividend Strength ETF (FTDS) has a volatility of 3.48%. This indicates that SIZE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTDS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SIZE	FTDS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.17%	3.48%	-0.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.54%	8.87%	+0.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.73%	12.92%	-0.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.39%	17.65%	-0.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.69%	20.14%	-1.45%

SIZE vs. FTDS - Expense Ratio Comparison

SIZE has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than FTDS's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

SIZE vs. FTDS - Dividend Comparison

SIZE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.42%, less than FTDS's 1.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTDS First Trust Dividend Strength ETF	1.66%	1.59%	2.05%	2.15%	2.31%	0.72%	0.99%	1.13%	1.14%	0.79%	1.24%	0.95%
SIZE iShares MSCI USA Size Factor ETF	1.42%	1.50%	1.53%	1.42%	1.59%	1.19%	1.43%	1.35%	2.43%	1.58%	1.88%	1.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SIZE and FTDS in my portfolio?

SIZE and FTDS 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, SIZE or FTDS?

FTDS has higher volatility (3.48%) compared to SIZE (3.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SIZE dropped -39.15% vs FTDS's -56.53%.

Which ETF is better, SIZE or FTDS?

On 10-year performance, SIZE leads with 11.76% vs 10.75% for FTDS. On fees, SIZE is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, SIZE has been the lower-risk option at 3.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SIZE or FTDS?

Over the 10-year period, SIZE has performed better with a 11.76% return vs 10.75%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SIZE or FTDS?

SIZE is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for FTDS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SIZE or FTDS?

FTDS has the higher dividend yield at 1.66%, compared with 1.42% for SIZE.

What is the main difference between SIZE and FTDS?

SIZE tracks MSCI USA Low Size Index, while FTDS tracks Dividend Strength Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for SIZE and 0.70% for FTDS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTDS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.44 vs 1.43), 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.