SMMV vs. FDTS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SMMV (iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF) and FDTS (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - SMMV is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Small Cap Minimum Volatility (USD) Index, while FDTS is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Small Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SMMV returned 4.87%/yr vs 10.59%/yr for FDTS. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SMMV charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FDTS.

Performance

SMMV vs. FDTS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF (SMMV) and First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMMV achieves a 2.04% return, which is significantly lower than FDTS's 16.64% return.

SMMV

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: -1.47%
• YTD: 2.04%
• 6M: 2.90%
• 1Y: 6.20%
• 3Y*: 10.82%
• 5Y*: 4.87%
• 10Y*: —

FDTS

• 1D: -1.14%
• 1M: -2.48%
• YTD: 16.64%
• 6M: 19.06%
• 1Y: 45.71%
• 3Y*: 25.36%
• 5Y*: 10.59%
• 10Y*: 10.50%

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

SMMV vs. FDTS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SMMV iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF	2.04%	6.42%	18.29%	5.63%	-10.00%	16.64%	-2.88%	24.21%	1.15%	14.31%
FDTS First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund	16.64%	51.17%	2.44%	10.96%	-15.34%	11.79%	12.90%	18.71%	-23.71%	36.01%

Correlation

The correlation between SMMV and FDTS is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 12, 2016	0.41

The correlation between SMMV and FDTS shifts across timeframes, from 0.41 (all time) to 0.52 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SMMV vs. FDTS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SMMV	FDTS
Healthcare	17.1%	3.0%
Industrials	13.8%	23.0%
Real Estate	13.4%	4.3%
Technology	10.9%	13.4%
Financial Services	10.9%	11.7%
Consumer Defensive	8.1%	5.0%
Utilities	7.7%	2.7%
Consumer Cyclical	5.6%	18.4%
Communication Services	5.4%	3.0%
Energy	4.5%	4.3%
Basic Materials	2.0%	11.2%

Return for Risk

SMMV vs. FDTS — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMMV

SMMV Risk / Return Rank: 20
SMMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
SMMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
SMMV Omega Ratio Rank: 18
SMMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
SMMV Martin Ratio Rank: 22

FDTS

FDTS Risk / Return Rank: 76
FDTS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
FDTS Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
FDTS Omega Ratio Rank: 77
FDTS Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
FDTS Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

SMMV vs. FDTS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF (SMMV) and First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS). 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.

	SMMV	FDTS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.64	2.69	-2.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.99	3.52	-2.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.46	-0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.89	3.64	-2.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.82	13.32	-10.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMMV vs. FDTS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMMV Sharpe Ratio is 0.64, which is lower than the FDTS Sharpe Ratio of 2.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMMV and FDTS, 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

	SMMV	FDTS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.64	2.69	-2.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36	0.36	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.42	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.37	+0.15

Drawdowns

SMMV vs. FDTS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMMV drawdown since its inception was -38.77%, smaller than the maximum FDTS drawdown of -51.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMMV and FDTS.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMMV	FDTS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.77%	-51.26%	+12.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.02%	-12.61%	+5.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.68%	-13.19%	-0.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.00%	-33.11%	+15.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-51.26%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.44%	-6.49%	+2.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.10%	-10.65%	+5.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.20%	3.44%	-1.24%

Volatility

SMMV vs. FDTS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF (SMMV) is 2.27%, while First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS) has a volatility of 6.54%. This indicates that SMMV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FDTS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMMV	FDTS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.27%	6.54%	-4.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.30%	14.09%	-7.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.73%	17.05%	-7.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.50%	29.28%	-15.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.69%	24.85%	-9.16%

SMMV vs. FDTS - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMMV has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than FDTS's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMMV vs. FDTS - Dividend Comparison

SMMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.75%, less than FDTS's 2.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDTS First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund	2.58%	2.94%	3.94%	2.90%	3.71%	3.01%	2.02%	2.30%	1.96%	2.08%	1.78%	1.73%
SMMV iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF	1.75%	1.77%	1.76%	2.30%	1.67%	1.08%	1.39%	1.64%	1.72%	1.63%	0.79%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMMV and FDTS in my portfolio?

SMMV and FDTS have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SMMV or FDTS?

FDTS has higher volatility (6.54%) compared to SMMV (2.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMMV dropped -38.77% vs FDTS's -51.26%.

Which ETF is better, SMMV or FDTS?

On 5-year performance, FDTS leads with 10.59% vs 4.87% for SMMV. On fees, SMMV is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, SMMV has been the lower-risk option at 2.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SMMV or FDTS?

Over the 5-year period, FDTS has performed better with a 10.59% return vs 4.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMMV or FDTS?

SMMV is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDTS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SMMV or FDTS?

FDTS has the higher dividend yield at 2.58%, compared with 1.75% for SMMV.

What is the main difference between SMMV and FDTS?

SMMV is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while FDTS is Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities. SMMV tracks MSCI USA Small Cap Minimum Volatility (USD) Index, while FDTS tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Small Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for SMMV and 0.80% for FDTS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDTS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.69 vs 0.64), 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.