TUSA vs. SAEF

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

TUSA (First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF) and SAEF (Schwab Ariel ESG ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. TUSA is passively managed, while SAEF is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, TUSA returned 16.03%/yr vs 11.80%/yr for SAEF. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TUSA charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for SAEF.

Performance

TUSA vs. SAEF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF (TUSA) and Schwab Ariel ESG ETF (SAEF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with TUSA having a 13.28% return and SAEF slightly higher at 13.70%.

TUSA

• 1D: 2.03%
• 1M: 4.86%
• 6M: 7.42%
• YTD: 13.28%
• 1Y: 22.63%
• 3Y*: 16.03%
• 5Y*: 8.37%
• 10Y*: 11.09%

SAEF

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 0.62%
• 6M: 6.73%
• YTD: 13.70%
• 1Y: 19.82%
• 3Y*: 11.80%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TUSA vs. SAEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
TUSA First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF	13.28%	13.64%	11.12%	11.75%	-13.54%	-2.66%
SAEF Schwab Ariel ESG ETF	13.70%	2.31%	16.14%	17.87%	-18.29%	-2.31%

Correlation

The correlation between TUSA and SAEF is 0.62, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2021	0.81

The correlation between TUSA and SAEF shifts across timeframes, from 0.62 (1 year) to 0.81 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

TUSA vs. SAEF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TUSA	SAEF
Financial Services	31.9%	15.0%
Industrials	19.8%	20.3%
Consumer Cyclical	16.0%	22.6%
Basic Materials	14.1%	2.3%
Utilities	7.5%	-
Technology	6.1%	14.7%
Consumer Defensive	4.1%	3.3%
Real Estate	2.1%	4.5%
Healthcare	2.0%	10.0%
Communication Services	2.0%	7.5%
Energy	1.9%	-

Return for Risk

TUSA vs. SAEF — Risk / Return Rank

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

TUSA

TUSA Risk / Return Rank: 70
TUSA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
TUSA Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
TUSA Omega Ratio Rank: 64
TUSA Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
TUSA Martin Ratio Rank: 63

SAEF

SAEF Risk / Return Rank: 36
SAEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
SAEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
SAEF Omega Ratio Rank: 34
SAEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
SAEF Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

TUSA vs. SAEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF (TUSA) and Schwab Ariel ESG ETF (SAEF). 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.

	TUSA	SAEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.75	1.06	+0.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.62	1.63	+0.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.19	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.46	1.55	+1.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.78	4.19	+4.59

TUSA vs. SAEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TUSA Sharpe Ratio is 1.75, which is higher than the SAEF Sharpe Ratio of 1.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TUSA and SAEF, 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

TUSA vs. SAEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TUSA drawdown since its inception was -56.53%, which is greater than SAEF's maximum drawdown of -28.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TUSA and SAEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	TUSA	SAEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.53%	-28.05%	-28.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.57%	-12.81%	+6.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.04%	-27.40%	+9.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.35%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.47%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.62%	+2.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.83%	-10.15%	+0.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.58%	4.74%	-2.16%

Volatility

TUSA vs. SAEF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF (TUSA) is 3.66%, while Schwab Ariel ESG ETF (SAEF) has a volatility of 4.51%. This indicates that TUSA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SAEF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TUSA	SAEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.66%	4.51%	-0.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.44%	14.31%	-5.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.95%	18.75%	-5.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.61%	21.30%	-3.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.04%	21.30%	-1.26%

TUSA vs. SAEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

TUSA has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than SAEF's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

TUSA vs. SAEF - Dividend Comparison

TUSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.55%, more than SAEF's 0.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SAEF Schwab Ariel ESG ETF	0.34%	0.38%	0.46%	0.46%	0.61%	0.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
TUSA First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF	1.55%	1.59%	2.05%	2.15%	2.31%	0.72%	0.99%	1.13%	1.14%	0.79%	1.24%	0.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TUSA and SAEF in my portfolio?

TUSA and SAEF have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TUSA or SAEF?

SAEF has higher volatility (4.51%) compared to TUSA (3.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TUSA dropped -56.53% vs SAEF's -28.05%.

Which ETF is better, TUSA or SAEF?

On 3-year performance, TUSA leads with 16.03% vs 11.80% for SAEF. On fees, SAEF is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, TUSA has been the lower-risk option at 3.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TUSA or SAEF?

Over the 3-year period, TUSA has performed better with a 16.03% return vs 11.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TUSA or SAEF?

SAEF is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for TUSA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TUSA or SAEF?

TUSA has the higher dividend yield at 1.55%, compared with 0.34% for SAEF.

What is the main difference between TUSA and SAEF?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for TUSA and 0.59% for SAEF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TUSA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs 1.06), 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.