SMDX vs. FESM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SMDX (Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF) and FESM (Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, SMDX returned 28.25% vs 46.73% for FESM. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SMDX charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for FESM.

Performance

SMDX vs. FESM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF (SMDX) 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, SMDX achieves a 13.72% return, which is significantly lower than FESM's 19.64% return.

SMDX

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 2.07%
• YTD: 13.72%
• 6M: 13.55%
• 1Y: 28.25%
• 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)

SMDX vs. FESM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SMDX Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF	13.72%	14.21%
FESM Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF	19.64%	20.49%

Correlation

The correlation between SMDX and FESM is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2025	0.87

The correlation between SMDX and FESM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SMDX vs. FESM — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMDX

SMDX Risk / Return Rank: 57
SMDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
SMDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
SMDX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
SMDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
SMDX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

SMDX vs. FESM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF (SMDX) 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.

	SMDX	FESM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	2.48	-0.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	3.34	-0.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.41	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.28	4.61	-1.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.40	16.60	-5.20
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMDX vs. FESM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMDX Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is lower than the FESM Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMDX 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

	SMDX	FESM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.72	2.48	-0.76
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.10	1.29	-0.19

Drawdowns

SMDX vs. FESM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMDX drawdown since its inception was -14.52%, smaller than the maximum FESM drawdown of -26.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMDX and FESM.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMDX	FESM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.52%	-26.93%	+12.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.66%	-10.18%	+1.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.56%	-1.59%	+1.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.39%	-4.79%	+2.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.49%	2.82%	-0.33%

Volatility

SMDX vs. FESM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF (SMDX) is 4.26%, while Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF (FESM) has a volatility of 5.64%. This indicates that SMDX 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

	SMDX	FESM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.26%	5.64%	-1.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.50%	13.32%	-1.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.56%	18.98%	-2.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.19%	21.26%	-0.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.19%	21.26%	-0.07%

SMDX vs. FESM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMDX has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than FESM's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMDX vs. FESM - Dividend Comparison

SMDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.53%, which matches FESM's 0.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
FESM Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF	0.53%	0.82%	1.08%	0.06%
SMDX Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF	0.53%	0.61%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMDX and FESM in my portfolio?

SMDX and FESM have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SMDX or FESM?

FESM has higher volatility (5.64%) compared to SMDX (4.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMDX dropped -14.52% vs FESM's -26.93%.

Which ETF is better, SMDX or FESM?

On 1-year performance, FESM leads with 46.73% vs 28.25% for SMDX. On fees, FESM is cheaper at 0.28% per year. On volatility, SMDX has been the lower-risk option at 4.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SMDX or FESM?

Over the 1-year period, FESM has performed better with a 46.73% return vs 28.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMDX or FESM?

FESM is cheaper with a 0.28% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SMDX.

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

SMDX and FESM have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.53%.

What is the main difference between SMDX and FESM?

They also come from different issuers: Intech and Fidelity. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for SMDX and 0.28% for FESM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FESM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 1.72), 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.