SMMD vs. FYC
Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Russell 2500 ETF (SMMD) and First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FYC).
SMMD and FYC are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. SMMD is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Russell 2500 Index. It was launched on Jul 6, 2017. FYC is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Small Cap Growth Index. It was launched on Apr 19, 2011. Both SMMD and FYC are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Performance
SMMD vs. FYC - Performance Comparison
Loading graphics...
SMMD vs. FYC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SMMD iShares Russell 2500 ETF | 2.10% | 11.72% | 11.87% | 17.71% | -18.53% | 18.30% | 19.98% | 28.01% | -10.58% | 10.82% |
FYC First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund | 0.90% | 24.24% | 23.99% | 14.52% | -25.86% | 21.64% | 32.34% | 16.79% | -5.54% | 10.57% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SMMD achieves a 2.10% return, which is significantly higher than FYC's 0.90% return.
SMMD
- 1D
- 3.53%
- 1M
- -5.15%
- YTD
- 2.10%
- 6M
- 4.19%
- 1Y
- 23.65%
- 3Y*
- 13.21%
- 5Y*
- 5.12%
- 10Y*
- —
FYC
- 1D
- 4.40%
- 1M
- -3.52%
- YTD
- 0.90%
- 6M
- 6.91%
- 1Y
- 41.08%
- 3Y*
- 19.33%
- 5Y*
- 6.91%
- 10Y*
- 12.69%
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
SMMD vs. FYC - Expense Ratio Comparison
SMMD has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than FYC's 0.71% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
SMMD vs. FYC — Risk / Return Rank
SMMD
FYC
SMMD vs. FYC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell 2500 ETF (SMMD) and First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FYC). 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.
| SMMD | FYC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.08 | 1.69 | -0.61 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.62 | 2.36 | -0.74 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.30 | -0.08 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.67 | 2.97 | -1.30 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.05 | 11.51 | -4.46 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading graphics...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| SMMD | FYC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.08 | 1.69 | -0.61 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.25 | 0.29 | -0.05 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.52 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.42 | 0.49 | -0.06 |
Correlation
The correlation between SMMD and FYC is 0.90, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
SMMD vs. FYC - Dividend Comparison
SMMD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.22%, more than FYC's 0.08% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SMMD iShares Russell 2500 ETF | 1.22% | 1.28% | 1.27% | 1.44% | 1.79% | 1.12% | 1.31% | 1.50% | 2.45% | 0.68% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
FYC First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.72% | 0.58% | 0.00% | 0.63% | 0.12% | 0.39% | 0.09% | 0.10% | 0.31% | 0.21% |
Drawdowns
SMMD vs. FYC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SMMD drawdown since its inception was -41.06%, smaller than the maximum FYC drawdown of -47.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMMD and FYC.
Loading graphics...
Drawdown Indicators
| SMMD | FYC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.06% | -47.85% | +6.79% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.02% | -13.40% | -0.62% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.26% | -35.37% | +7.11% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -47.85% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.47% | -6.54% | +0.07% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.52% | -9.76% | +1.24% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.32% | 3.45% | -0.13% |
Volatility
SMMD vs. FYC - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Russell 2500 ETF (SMMD) is 7.30%, while First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FYC) has a volatility of 8.82%. This indicates that SMMD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FYC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading graphics...
Volatility by Period
| SMMD | FYC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.30% | 8.82% | -1.52% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.19% | 16.37% | -3.18% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.05% | 24.42% | -2.37% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.80% | 23.71% | -2.91% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.46% | 24.51% | -2.05% |