SMCP vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SMCP (AlphaMark Actively Managed Small Cap ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - SMCP is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Actively Managed, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. At a correlation of -0.20, they often move in opposite directions. SMCP charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

SMCP vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AlphaMark Actively Managed Small Cap ETF (SMCP) and First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

SMCP

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: -25.87%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FDL

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: 0.32%
• YTD: 14.21%
• 6M: 15.52%
• 1Y: 25.50%
• 3Y*: 19.57%
• 5Y*: 12.69%
• 10Y*: 11.28%

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

SMCP vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
SMCP AlphaMark Actively Managed Small Cap ETF	-25.87%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	0.70%

Correlation

The correlation between SMCP and FDL is -0.20, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 9, 2026	-0.20

SMCP vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SMCP	FDL
Financial Services	98.8%	15.1%
Industrials	13.1%	3.8%
Technology	11.1%	1.1%
Healthcare	11.0%	16.8%
Consumer Defensive	8.1%	14.7%
Basic Materials	7.9%	0.3%
Energy	7.6%	27.3%
Consumer Cyclical	7.3%	3.8%
Communication Services	4.0%	10.6%
Real Estate	3.1%	-
Utilities	3.0%	6.5%

Return for Risk

SMCP vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDL

FDL Risk / Return Rank: 77
FDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
FDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
FDL Omega Ratio Rank: 67
FDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
FDL Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

SMCP vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AlphaMark Actively Managed Small Cap ETF (SMCP) and First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SMCP	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.27	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.89	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.66	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-1.43	0.45	-1.88

Drawdowns

SMCP vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMCP drawdown since its inception was -27.86%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMCP and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMCP	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.86%	-65.93%	+38.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-4.27%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-12.24%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-16.46%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.40%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-25.87%	-1.41%	-24.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.59%	-9.66%	+4.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.75%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SMCP	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.95%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	7.85%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	43.35%	11.30%	+32.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	43.35%	14.31%	+29.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	43.35%	17.11%	+26.24%

SMCP vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMCP has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMCP vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

SMCP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FDL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.65%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	3.65%	4.04%	4.96%	4.58%	3.58%	4.59%	4.48%	3.75%	3.97%	3.18%	2.93%	3.65%
SMCP AlphaMark Actively Managed Small Cap ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMCP and FDL in my portfolio?

SMCP and FDL have a correlation of -0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, SMCP or FDL?

On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.45% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMCP or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for SMCP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SMCP or FDL?

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.65%, compared with 0.00% for SMCP.

What is the main difference between SMCP and FDL?

SMCP is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. SMCP tracks Actively Managed, while FDL tracks Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. They also come from different issuers: AlphaMark Advisors and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for SMCP and 0.45% for FDL.