SMRI vs. FTA

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

SMRI (Bushido Capital US Equity ETF) and FTA (First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. SMRI is actively managed, while FTA is passively managed. Over the past year, SMRI returned 40.59% vs 31.73% for FTA. Their correlation of 0.82 means they have usually moved in the same direction. SMRI charges 0.71%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTA.

Performance

SMRI vs. FTA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Bushido Capital US Equity ETF (SMRI) and First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMRI achieves a 23.03% return, which is significantly higher than FTA's 18.18% return.

SMRI

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: 5.51%
• 6M: 23.61%
• YTD: 23.03%
• 1Y: 40.59%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 22.95%

FTA

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 2.70%
• 6M: 12.86%
• YTD: 18.18%
• 1Y: 31.73%
• 3Y*: 15.29%
• 5Y*: 11.21%
• 10Y*: 11.60%
• ALL TIME*: 8.58%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	$3.06M	$3.30M	$2.95M
SMRI Bushido Capital US Equity ETF	$770.42K	$508.81K	$403.01K

SMRI vs. FTA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
SMRI Bushido Capital US Equity ETF	23.03%	17.41%	19.16%	5.27%
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	18.18%	14.94%	10.13%	7.31%

Correlation

The correlation between SMRI and FTA is 0.72, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 14, 2023	0.82

The correlation between SMRI and FTA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SMRI vs. FTA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SMRI

SMRI Risk / Return Rank: 94
SMRI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
SMRI Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
SMRI Omega Ratio Rank: 92
SMRI Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
SMRI Martin Ratio Rank: 93

FTA

FTA Risk / Return Rank: 94
FTA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
FTA Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
FTA Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FTA Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
FTA Martin Ratio Rank: 95

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SMRI vs. FTA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Bushido Capital US Equity ETF (SMRI) and First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	SMRI	FTA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.64	2.63	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.68	3.90	-0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.46	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.75	5.93	-0.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.88	20.26	-3.38

SMRI vs. FTA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMRI Sharpe Ratio is 2.64, which is comparable to the FTA Sharpe Ratio of 2.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMRI and FTA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SMRI vs. FTA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMRI drawdown since its inception was -18.45%, smaller than the maximum FTA drawdown of -62.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMRI and FTA.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMRI	FTA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.45%	-62.45%	+44.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.80%	-5.13%	-1.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.73%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.80%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-44.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.51%	-1.56%	+1.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.72%	-8.97%	+6.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.32%	1.50%	+0.82%

Volatility

SMRI vs. FTA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Bushido Capital US Equity ETF (SMRI) is 3.61%, while First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) has a volatility of 3.93%. This indicates that SMRI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMRI	FTA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.61%	3.93%	-0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.80%	8.04%	+3.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.09%	11.61%	+3.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.84%	16.23%	-0.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.84%	19.85%	-4.01%

SMRI vs. FTA - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMRI has a 0.71% expense ratio, which is higher than FTA's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMRI vs. FTA - Dividend Comparison

SMRI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.86%, less than FTA's 1.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	1.61%	1.89%	2.02%	2.10%	2.15%	1.54%	2.03%	1.88%	2.28%	1.53%	1.56%	2.05%
SMRI Bushido Capital US Equity ETF	0.86%	1.32%	0.98%	0.45%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMRI and FTA in my portfolio?

SMRI and FTA have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SMRI or FTA?

FTA has higher volatility (3.93%) compared to SMRI (3.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMRI dropped -18.45% vs FTA's -62.45%.

Which ETF is better, SMRI or FTA?

On 1-year performance, SMRI leads with 40.59% vs 31.73% for FTA. On fees, FTA is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, SMRI has been the lower-risk option at 3.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SMRI or FTA?

Over the 1-year period, SMRI has performed better with a 40.59% return vs 31.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMRI or FTA?

FTA is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.71% for SMRI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SMRI or FTA?

FTA has the higher dividend yield at 1.61%, compared with 0.86% for SMRI.

What is the main difference between SMRI and FTA?

They also come from different issuers: Bushido and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.71% for SMRI and 0.60% for FTA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMRI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 2.63), 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.