VBK vs. FYC

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) and First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FYC).

VBK and FYC are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VBK is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the CRSP US Small Cap Growth Index. It was launched on Jan 26, 2004. FYC is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Small Cap Growth Index. It was launched on Apr 19, 2011. Both VBK and FYC are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

VBK vs. FYC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) and First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FYC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VBK vs. FYC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF	0.16%	8.50%	16.50%	21.45%	-28.44%	5.66%	35.44%	32.75%	-5.70%	21.87%
FYC First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	0.90%	24.24%	23.99%	14.52%	-25.86%	21.64%	32.34%	16.79%	-5.54%	22.97%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBK achieves a 0.16% return, which is significantly lower than FYC's 0.90% return. Over the past 10 years, VBK has underperformed FYC with an annualized return of 10.46%, while FYC has yielded a comparatively higher 12.69% annualized return.

VBK

• 1D: 4.37%
• 1M: -5.52%
• YTD: 0.16%
• 6M: 1.80%
• 1Y: 20.70%
• 3Y*: 12.47%
• 5Y*: 2.16%
• 10Y*: 10.46%

FYC

• 1D: 4.40%
• 1M: -3.52%
• YTD: 0.90%
• 6M: 6.91%
• 1Y: 41.08%
• 3Y*: 19.33%
• 5Y*: 6.91%
• 10Y*: 12.69%

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

VBK vs. FYC - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBK has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than FYC's 0.71% expense ratio.

FYC

First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund

VBK

Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF

Return for Risk

VBK vs. FYC — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBK

VBK Risk / Return Rank: 55
VBK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
VBK Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
VBK Omega Ratio Rank: 49
VBK Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VBK Martin Ratio Rank: 61

FYC

FYC Risk / Return Rank: 87
FYC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
FYC Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
FYC Omega Ratio Rank: 80
FYC Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
FYC Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

VBK vs. FYC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) and First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FYC). 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.

	VBK	FYC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.85	1.69	-0.84
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.34	2.36	-1.02
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.30	-0.13
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.38	2.97	-1.58
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.52	11.51	-5.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VBK vs. FYC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBK Sharpe Ratio is 0.85, which is lower than the FYC Sharpe Ratio of 1.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBK and FYC, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VBK	FYC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85	1.69	-0.84
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09	0.29	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46	0.52	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.49	-0.09

Correlation

The correlation between VBK and FYC is 0.91, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

VBK vs. FYC - Dividend Comparison

VBK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.52%, more than FYC's 0.08% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBK Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF	0.52%	0.54%	0.54%	0.68%	0.55%	0.36%	0.44%	0.57%	0.79%	0.82%	1.08%	0.98%
FYC First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	0.08%	0.08%	0.72%	0.58%	0.00%	0.63%	0.12%	0.39%	0.09%	0.10%	0.31%	0.21%

Drawdowns

VBK vs. FYC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBK drawdown since its inception was -58.68%, which is greater than FYC's maximum drawdown of -47.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBK and FYC.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBK	FYC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.68%	-47.85%	-10.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.56%	-13.40%	-1.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.39%	-35.37%	-3.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.70%	-47.85%	+9.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.57%	-6.54%	-1.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.22%	-9.76%	-0.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.65%	3.45%	+0.20%

Volatility

VBK vs. FYC - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) and First Trust Small Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FYC) have volatilities of 8.73% and 8.82%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBK	FYC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.73%	8.82%	-0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.41%	16.37%	-0.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.44%	24.42%	+0.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.49%	23.71%	-0.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.80%	24.51%	-1.71%