SVAL vs. FYT

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

SVAL (iShares US Small Cap Value Factor ETF) and FYT (First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds - SVAL tracks the Russell 2000 Focused Value Select Index while FYT tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Small Cap Value Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SVAL returned 9.69%/yr vs 8.83%/yr for FYT. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SVAL charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for FYT.

Performance

SVAL vs. FYT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares US Small Cap Value Factor ETF (SVAL) and First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FYT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SVAL achieves a 23.49% return, which is significantly lower than FYT's 24.77% return.

SVAL

• 1D: 0.56%
• 1M: 1.84%
• 6M: 17.54%
• YTD: 23.49%
• 1Y: 32.90%
• 3Y*: 17.90%
• 5Y*: 9.69%
• 10Y*: —

FYT

• 1D: 0.55%
• 1M: 2.41%
• 6M: 18.54%
• YTD: 24.77%
• 1Y: 34.81%
• 3Y*: 15.82%
• 5Y*: 8.83%
• 10Y*: 10.50%

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

SVAL vs. FYT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
SVAL iShares US Small Cap Value Factor ETF	23.49%	8.23%	7.54%	12.27%	-10.15%	33.18%	29.82%
FYT First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	24.77%	4.00%	3.24%	22.90%	-14.05%	29.33%	32.77%

Correlation

The correlation between SVAL and FYT is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 29, 2020	0.96

The correlation between SVAL and FYT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

SVAL vs. FYT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SVAL	FYT
Financial Services	21.7%	25.9%
Industrials	12.2%	12.9%
Consumer Cyclical	12.1%	13.3%
Healthcare	12.0%	6.1%
Energy	11.0%	7.2%
Technology	10.5%	8.0%
Basic Materials	5.0%	4.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	6.5%
Real Estate	4.5%	9.1%
Utilities	3.4%	2.7%
Communication Services	2.7%	3.0%

Return for Risk

SVAL vs. FYT — Risk / Return Rank

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

SVAL

SVAL Risk / Return Rank: 78
SVAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
SVAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
SVAL Omega Ratio Rank: 72
SVAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
SVAL Martin Ratio Rank: 78

FYT

FYT Risk / Return Rank: 79
FYT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
FYT Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
FYT Omega Ratio Rank: 72
FYT Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
FYT Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

SVAL vs. FYT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares US Small Cap Value Factor ETF (SVAL) and First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FYT). 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.

	SVAL	FYT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.90	1.91	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.79	2.83	-0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.34	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.70	4.19	-0.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.75	12.05	-0.29

SVAL vs. FYT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SVAL Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is comparable to the FYT Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SVAL and FYT, 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

SVAL vs. FYT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SVAL drawdown since its inception was -27.44%, smaller than the maximum FYT drawdown of -50.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SVAL and FYT.

Drawdown Indicators

	SVAL	FYT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.44%	-50.48%	+23.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.94%	-8.34%	-0.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.44%	-28.90%	+1.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.44%	-28.90%	+1.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-50.48%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.11%	+0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.36%	-8.48%	+0.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.81%	2.90%	-0.09%

Volatility

SVAL vs. FYT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares US Small Cap Value Factor ETF (SVAL) is 3.53%, while First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FYT) has a volatility of 4.33%. This indicates that SVAL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FYT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SVAL	FYT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.53%	4.33%	-0.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.49%	11.44%	+0.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.39%	18.38%	-0.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.13%	22.47%	-0.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.13%	25.88%	-2.75%

SVAL vs. FYT - Expense Ratio Comparison

SVAL has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than FYT's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

SVAL vs. FYT - Dividend Comparison

SVAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.07%, more than FYT's 1.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FYT First Trust Small Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	1.47%	0.94%	2.07%	1.50%	1.36%	1.19%	0.96%	1.44%	1.78%	1.16%	1.16%	0.96%
SVAL iShares US Small Cap Value Factor ETF	2.07%	2.33%	1.82%	2.25%	2.09%	2.33%	0.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SVAL and FYT in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, SVAL and FYT move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, SVAL or FYT?

FYT has higher volatility (4.33%) compared to SVAL (3.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SVAL dropped -27.44% vs FYT's -50.48%.

Which ETF is better, SVAL or FYT?

On 5-year performance, SVAL leads with 9.69% vs 8.83% for FYT. On fees, SVAL is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, SVAL has been the lower-risk option at 3.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SVAL or FYT?

Over the 5-year period, SVAL has performed better with a 9.69% return vs 8.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SVAL or FYT?

SVAL is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.72% for FYT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SVAL or FYT?

SVAL has the higher dividend yield at 2.07%, compared with 1.47% for FYT.

What is the main difference between SVAL and FYT?

SVAL tracks Russell 2000 Focused Value Select Index, while FYT tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Small Cap Value Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for SVAL and 0.72% for FYT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FYT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 1.90), 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.