First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) is a ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FTA returned +31.71% while VOO returned +23.71%. Year to date, FTA is up 18.43% versus a gain of 13.80% for VOO.

Over three years, FTA compounded at +16.04% per year against +21.50% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +11.20% and +13.44% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.58% annualized vs +7.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

FTA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.0% compared with 14.1% for VOO. 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 -63.8% for FTA and -34.3% for VOO. 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

FTA charges 0.58% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $58 vs $3 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTA currently yields 1.67% against 1.09% for VOO.