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FNXvsESMLETF Comparison

ETF 1
FNX

First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund ETF

This fund is part of
US Multi-Factor
-0.75%
VS
ETF 2
ESML

iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF

This fund is part of
US Small Cap
-1.05%

First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund ETF (FNX) belongs to the US Multi-Factor segment. iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF (ESML) is part of the US Small Cap segment. FNX's top 3 sector exposures are Financials, Industrials and Consumer Discretionary. In contrast, ESML's top sector exposures are Industrials, Information Technology and Financials. FNX is more expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.62%, versus 0.17% for ESML. FNX is up 12.6% year-to-date (YTD) with +$47M in YTD flows. ESML performs better with 17.08% YTD performance, and +$401M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of FNX and ESML below, and assess how they stack up in performance, liquidity, risk, exposure, holdings, and more, helping you select the best ETF for your investments.

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FNX vs ESML performance and flow charts

Performance

0.02.04.06.08.0%May 18May 25Jun 1Jun 8Jun 15

Cumulative Flows

0 M100 M200 M300 M400 MMay 18May 25Jun 1Jun 8Jun 15

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Historic performance and flows
Data as of 06/17/2026
1M3MYTD1Y3Y5Y
Perf.
FNX
ESML
+4.26%+5.47%
+9.95%+13.45%
+12.60%+17.08%
+27.58%+35.33%
+56.57%+58.64%
+52.42%+43.53%
Flows
FNX
ESML
+$14M+$372M
+$27M+$289M
+$47M+$401M
-$23M+$399M
-$132M+$574M
-$70M+$1.24B
Volatility and drawdown
3M1Y3Y5Y
Volatility
FNX
ESML
+17.46%+18.64%
+16.31%+17.10%
+18.95%+19.65%
+20.80%+21.33%
Max drawdown
FNX
ESML
-4.40%-4.12%
-9.22%-9.05%
-25.04%-26.61%
-25.04%-28.52%
Max drawdown duration
FNX
ESML
19d16d
65d46d
289d296d
289d980d
Trading data

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FNX
ESML
Last sale
6/17/2026 at 1:30 PM
$141.44
$53.61
Previous close
06/17/2026
$143.22
$54.20
Consolidated volume
06/17/2026
Average volume
30 days
Average discount or premium
30 days
Average Bid/Ask spread
30 days
Replication quality
Data as of May 29, 2026
1-year trailing difference

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FNX
ESML
Tracking error
Tracking difference
1 year cumulative return difference
Best
Worst
Daily return difference
Average
Worst
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Main metrics
Last update 6/17/2026 at 1:30 PM
Live
Closed
FNX
ESML
Last price
$141.44
$53.61
1D performance
-1.24%
-1.09%
AuM$1.37 B$2.80 B
E/R0.62%0.17%
Characteristics
FNX
ESML
Management strategyPassivePassive
ProviderFirst TrustiShares
BenchmarkNASDAQ AlphaDEX Mid Cap Core IndexMSCI USA Small Cap Extended ESG Focus Index
N° of holdings418818
Asset classEquitiesEquities
Trailing 12m distribution yield
Join
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Inception dateMay 8, 2007April 10, 2018
ESGNoYes
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Exposure

Countries

FNX
USA
96.55%
Other
3.45%
ESML
USA
93.7%
Other
6.3%

Sectors

FNX
Financials
17.85%
Industrials
17.4%
Consumer Discreti.
14.03%
Information Techn.
11.53%
Health Care
7.98%
Other
31.21%
ESML
Industrials
17.49%
Information Techn.
13.9%
Financials
13.45%
Health Care
11.24%
Consumer Discreti.
10.94%
Other
32.97%
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Diversification

FNX

Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15

7.15%
ESML

Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15

8.32%

Top 15 holdings

Data as of April 30, 2026
FNX
SANMINA CORP
0.59%
VICOR
0.57%
VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC
0.57%
TTM TECHNOLOGIES
0.56%
VIASAT
0.49%
IES HOLDINGS
0.47%
PLANET LABS PBC
0.45%
STERLING INFRASTRUCTURE INC
0.45%
DYCOM INDUSTRIES
0.44%
SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS
0.44%
PRIMORIS SERVICES
0.43%
US3004261034
0.43%
POWELL INDUSTRIES
0.42%
MODINE MNFC CO
0.42%
US10950A1060
0.42%
ESML
US80004C2008
2.40%
TECHNIPFMC PLC
0.64%
US FOODS HOLDING CORP
0.53%
OVINTIV INC
0.49%
XPO LOGISTICS
0.44%
ASSURANT
0.43%
FABRINET
0.40%
JANUS HENDERSON GROUP PLC
0.39%
ALBEMARLE
0.39%
NVENT ELECTRIC PLC
0.38%
WESCO INTL
0.38%
MICHAEL STORES
0.37%
ATI INC
0.37%
CARPENTER TECHNOLOGY
0.37%
ROYAL GOLD
0.35%
Frequently asked questions about FNX and ESML

How have the FNX and ESML ETFs performed in 2026?

As of June 17, 2026, FNX is up 12.6% year-to-date (YTD), while ESML has returned 17.08%. That puts ESML better performer ahead so far this year.

Which ETF is attracting more investor money: FNX or ESML?

Year-to-date, the FNX ETF saw +$47M in flows, compared to +$401M for ESML.

Which ETF is more volatile: FNX or ESML?

Over the past year, FNX had a volatility of 16.31%, while ESML experienced 17.1%.

Which ETF is bigger: FNX or ESML?

As of June 17, 2026, FNX holds $1.37 B in assets under management (AUM), while ESML manages $2.80 B.

What sectors do the FNX and ESML ETFs invest in?

FNX leans toward sectors like Financials, Industrials and Consumer Discretionary. Meanwhile, ESML focuses on Industrials, Information Technology and Financials.

What are the top holdings of the FNX ETF and ESML ETF?

FNX top holdings include SANMINA CORP, VICOR and VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC. ESML holds in its top three: US80004C2008, TECHNIPFMC PLC and US FOODS HOLDING CORP.

Which ETF is more diversified: FNX or ESML?

FNX holds 449 securities with 7.15% of its assets in the top 15. ESML has 901 securities and a top 15 weight of 8.32%.

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