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TUSA vs. SIXL
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

TUSA vs. SIXL

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

TUSA (First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF) and SIXL (ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. TUSA is passively managed, while SIXL is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, TUSA returned 6.87%/yr vs 4.11%/yr for SIXL. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TUSA charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for SIXL.

Performance

TUSA vs. SIXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF (TUSA) and ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF (SIXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TUSA achieves a 8.91% return, which is significantly higher than SIXL's 7.99% return.

TUSA

1D
0.98%
1M
1.82%
YTD
8.91%
6M
7.64%
1Y
21.34%
3Y*
16.39%
5Y*
6.87%
10Y*
11.65%

SIXL

1D
-0.19%
1M
1.45%
YTD
7.99%
6M
5.35%
1Y
9.67%
3Y*
9.46%
5Y*
4.11%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

TUSA vs. SIXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020
TUSA
First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF		8.91%13.64%11.12%11.75%-13.54%24.79%46.84%
SIXL
ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF		7.99%-0.61%14.13%2.38%-7.49%20.00%18.86%

Correlation

The correlation between TUSA and SIXL is 0.70, 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

0.70

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.77

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.75

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 2020

0.72

The correlation between TUSA and SIXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

TUSA vs. SIXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
TUSA
SIXL

Financial Services

31.9%
15.1%

Industrials

19.8%
6.4%

Consumer Cyclical

16.0%
6.4%

Basic Materials

14.1%
2.2%

Utilities

7.5%
17.1%

Technology

6.1%
2.6%

Consumer Defensive

4.1%
16.8%

Real Estate

2.1%
13.9%

Healthcare

2.0%
14.9%

Communication Services

2.0%
2.6%

Energy

1.9%
2.0%

Financial Services

TUSA
31.9%
SIXL
15.1%

Industrials

TUSA
19.8%
SIXL
6.4%

Consumer Cyclical

TUSA
16.0%
SIXL
6.4%

Basic Materials

TUSA
14.1%
SIXL
2.2%

Utilities

TUSA
7.5%
SIXL
17.1%

Technology

TUSA
6.1%
SIXL
2.6%

Consumer Defensive

TUSA
4.1%
SIXL
16.8%

Real Estate

TUSA
2.1%
SIXL
13.9%

Healthcare

TUSA
2.0%
SIXL
14.9%

Communication Services

TUSA
2.0%
SIXL
2.6%

Energy

TUSA
1.9%
SIXL
2.0%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF

ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF

Often compared with TUSA:
TUSA vs. PWCTUSA vs. FTDSTUSA vs. QQQTUSA vs. EPUTUSA vs. CSDTUSA vs. MOOTUSA vs. CTEF
Often compared with SIXL:
SIXL vs. SPYSIXL vs. VOOSIXL vs. QQQSIXL vs. XMMOSIXL vs. FUTYSIXL vs. MIDESIXL vs. OPTZ

Return for Risk

TUSA vs. SIXL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
TUSA
TUSA Risk / Return Rank: 5858
Overall Rank
TUSA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5555
Sharpe Ratio Rank
TUSA Sortino Ratio Rank: 5858
Sortino Ratio Rank
TUSA Omega Ratio Rank: 5151
Omega Ratio Rank
TUSA Calmar Ratio Rank: 7373
Calmar Ratio Rank
TUSA Martin Ratio Rank: 5454
Martin Ratio Rank
SIXL
SIXL Risk / Return Rank: 2929
Overall Rank
SIXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2929
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SIXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 2828
Sortino Ratio Rank
SIXL Omega Ratio Rank: 2626
Omega Ratio Rank
SIXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 3232
Calmar Ratio Rank
SIXL Martin Ratio Rank: 3030
Martin Ratio Rank
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. SIXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF (TUSA) and ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF (SIXL). 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.

TUSASIXLDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.64
0.98

+0.66

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.45
1.44

+1.00

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.29

1.17

+0.12

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.26

1.49

+1.77

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.28

3.97

+4.32

TUSA vs. SIXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TUSA Sharpe Ratio is 1.64, which is higher than the SIXL Sharpe Ratio of 0.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TUSA and SIXL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

TUSA vs. SIXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TUSA drawdown since its inception was -56.53%, which is greater than SIXL's maximum drawdown of -16.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TUSA and SIXL.

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Drawdown Indicators

TUSASIXLDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-56.53%

-16.08%

-40.45%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-6.57%

-6.52%

-0.05%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-18.04%

-11.65%

-6.39%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-23.35%

-16.08%

-7.27%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-42.47%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.33%

-1.88%

-0.45%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.85%

-4.55%

-5.30%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.58%

2.44%

+0.14%

Volatility

TUSA vs. SIXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF (TUSA) is 3.24%, while ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF (SIXL) has a volatility of 3.88%. This indicates that TUSA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SIXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

TUSASIXLDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.24%

3.88%

-0.64%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

8.72%

7.25%

+1.47%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.05%

9.96%

+3.09%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.64%

12.20%

+5.44%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

20.12%

12.57%

+7.55%

TUSA vs. SIXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

TUSA has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than SIXL's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

TUSA vs. SIXL - Dividend Comparison

TUSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.94%, less than SIXL's 2.21% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
SIXL
ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF		2.21%2.31%1.28%1.48%1.45%0.67%0.40%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
TUSA
First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF		1.94%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

TUSA and SIXL have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SIXL has higher volatility (3.88%) compared to TUSA (3.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TUSA dropped -56.53% vs SIXL's -16.08%.

On 5-year performance, TUSA leads with 6.87% vs 4.11% for SIXL. On fees, SIXL is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, TUSA has been the lower-risk option at 3.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, TUSA has performed better with a 6.87% return vs 4.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

SIXL is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for TUSA.

SIXL has the higher dividend yield at 2.21%, compared with 1.94% for TUSA.

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Exchange Traded Concepts. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for TUSA and 0.47% for SIXL.

TUSA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.64 vs 0.98), 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.

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