First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FAB) is a ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year FAB returned +30.92% while SPY returned +23.94%. Year to date, FAB is up 19.23% versus a gain of 13.28% for SPY.

Over three years, FAB compounded at +14.28% per year against +21.07% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +10.43% and +13.27% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +8.84% annualized vs +7.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

FAB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.6% compared with 15.3% for SPY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.

The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -64.3% for FAB and -56.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

FAB charges 0.66% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $66 vs $9 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FAB currently yields 1.59% against 1.01% for SPY.