TUSA vs. SMIZ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TUSA (First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF) and SMIZ (Zacks Small/Mid Cap ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. TUSA is passively managed, while SMIZ is actively managed. Over the past year, TUSA returned 18.40% vs 30.97% for SMIZ. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TUSA charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for SMIZ.

Performance

TUSA vs. SMIZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF (TUSA) and Zacks Small/Mid Cap ETF (SMIZ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TUSA achieves a 6.54% return, which is significantly lower than SMIZ's 15.79% return.

TUSA

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: -2.16%
• YTD: 6.54%
• 6M: 6.72%
• 1Y: 18.40%
• 3Y*: 16.04%
• 5Y*: 6.32%
• 10Y*: 10.75%

SMIZ

• 1D: -0.83%
• 1M: 3.15%
• YTD: 15.79%
• 6M: 14.09%
• 1Y: 30.97%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TUSA vs. SMIZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
TUSA First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF	6.54%	13.64%	11.12%	14.28%
SMIZ Zacks Small/Mid Cap ETF	15.79%	12.16%	17.92%	16.39%

Correlation

The correlation between TUSA and SMIZ is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 4, 2023	0.70

The correlation between TUSA and SMIZ shifts across timeframes, from 0.58 (1 year) to 0.70 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

TUSA vs. SMIZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TUSA	SMIZ
Financial Services	31.9%	21.0%
Industrials	19.8%	21.6%
Consumer Cyclical	16.0%	6.1%
Basic Materials	14.1%	3.1%
Utilities	7.5%	2.6%
Technology	6.1%	24.7%
Consumer Defensive	4.1%	4.2%
Real Estate	2.1%	3.5%
Healthcare	2.0%	8.1%
Communication Services	2.0%	2.4%
Energy	1.9%	2.9%

Return for Risk

TUSA vs. SMIZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

TUSA

TUSA Risk / Return Rank: 45
TUSA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
TUSA Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
TUSA Omega Ratio Rank: 39
TUSA Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
TUSA Martin Ratio Rank: 46

SMIZ

SMIZ Risk / Return Rank: 58
SMIZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
SMIZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
SMIZ Omega Ratio Rank: 53
SMIZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SMIZ Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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. SMIZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF (TUSA) and Zacks Small/Mid Cap ETF (SMIZ). 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.

	TUSA	SMIZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.44	1.86	-0.42
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.19	2.63	-0.45
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.33	-0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.81	2.96	-0.15
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.56	11.82	-4.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TUSA vs. SMIZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TUSA Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is comparable to the SMIZ Sharpe Ratio of 1.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TUSA and SMIZ, 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

	TUSA	SMIZ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.44	1.86	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	1.29	-0.97

Drawdowns

TUSA vs. SMIZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TUSA drawdown since its inception was -56.53%, which is greater than SMIZ's maximum drawdown of -25.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TUSA and SMIZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	TUSA	SMIZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.53%	-25.04%	-31.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.57%	-10.51%	+3.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.04%	—	—
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	-4.46%	-0.83%	-3.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.87%	-3.97%	-5.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.44%	2.63%	-0.19%

Volatility

TUSA vs. SMIZ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF (TUSA) is 3.48%, while Zacks Small/Mid Cap ETF (SMIZ) has a volatility of 4.59%. This indicates that TUSA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMIZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TUSA	SMIZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.48%	4.59%	-1.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.87%	12.79%	-3.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.92%	16.76%	-3.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.65%	18.89%	-1.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.14%	18.89%	+1.25%

TUSA vs. SMIZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

TUSA has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than SMIZ's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

TUSA vs. SMIZ - Dividend Comparison

TUSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.66%, more than SMIZ's 0.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SMIZ Zacks Small/Mid Cap ETF	0.53%	0.62%	1.57%	0.07%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
TUSA First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF	1.66%	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 SMIZ in my portfolio?

TUSA and SMIZ have a correlation of 0.58, 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 SMIZ?

SMIZ has higher volatility (4.59%) compared to TUSA (3.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TUSA dropped -56.53% vs SMIZ's -25.04%.

Which ETF is better, TUSA or SMIZ?

On 1-year performance, SMIZ leads with 30.97% vs 18.40% for TUSA. On fees, SMIZ is cheaper at 0.56% per year. On volatility, TUSA has been the lower-risk option at 3.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TUSA or SMIZ?

Over the 1-year period, SMIZ has performed better with a 30.97% return vs 18.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TUSA or SMIZ?

SMIZ is cheaper with a 0.56% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for TUSA.

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

TUSA has the higher dividend yield at 1.66%, compared with 0.53% for SMIZ.

What is the main difference between TUSA and SMIZ?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Zacks. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for TUSA and 0.56% for SMIZ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMIZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 1.44), 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.