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FSCSvsSMDXETF Comparison
First Trust SMID Capital Strength ETF (FSCS) and Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF (SMDX) belong to the same industry segment: US Multi-Factor. FSCS's top 3 sector exposures are Financials, Industrials and Information Technology. In contrast, SMDX's top sector exposures are Industrials, Information Technology and Financials. FSCS is more expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.6%, versus 0.35% for SMDX. FSCS is down -0.59% year-to-date (YTD) with +$4M in YTD flows. SMDX performs better with 1.93% YTD performance, and +$246K in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of FSCS and SMDX below, and assess how they stack up in performance, liquidity, risk, exposure, holdings, and more, helping you select the best ETF for your investments.
FSCS vs SMDX performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | FSCS SMDX | -4.39%-5.59% | -1.88%+0.70% | -0.59%+1.93% | +5.58%+24.36% | +38.98%n/a | +35.39%n/a |
| Flows | FSCS SMDX | --$3M | +$4M+$2M | +$4M+$246K | +$32M+$50M | +$42M- | +$38M- |
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | FSCS SMDX | +11.41%+15.61% | +17.29%+21.31% | +16.30%n/a | +18.13%n/a |
| Max drawdown | FSCS SMDX | -5.74%-7.10% | -12.10%-14.46% | -19.22%n/a | -21.18%n/a |
| Max drawdown duration | FSCS SMDX | 30d31d | 36d46d | 472dn/a | 393dn/a |
FSCS | SMDX | |
Last sale 3/12/2026 at 7:59 PM | $35.49 | $23.26 |
| Previous close 03/12/2026 | $35.87 | $23.26 |
| Consolidated volume 03/12/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
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FSCS | SMDX | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
FSCS | SMDX | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $35.49 | $23.26 |
| 1D performance | -1.06% | -0.00% |
| AuM | $58.64 M | $113.97 M |
| E/R | 0.6% | 0.35% |
FSCS | SMDX | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Passive | Active |
| Provider | First Trust | Intech Investment Management |
| Benchmark | The SMID Capital Strength Index | - |
| N° of holdings | 98 | 507 |
| Asset class | - | - |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | June 20, 2017 | February 27, 2025 |
| ESG | No | No |
Countries
Sectors
Diversification
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
Top 15 holdings
How have the FSCS and SMDX ETFs performed in 2026?
As of March 12, 2026, FSCS is down -0.59% year-to-date (YTD), while SMDX has returned 1.93%. That puts SMDX better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: FSCS or SMDX?
Year-to-date, the FSCS ETF saw +$4M in flows, compared to +$246K for SMDX.
Which ETF is more volatile: FSCS or SMDX?
Over the past year, FSCS had a volatility of 17.29%, while SMDX experienced 21.31%.
Which ETF is bigger: FSCS or SMDX?
As of March 12, 2026, FSCS holds $58.64 M in assets under management (AUM), while SMDX manages $113.97 M.
What sectors do the FSCS and SMDX ETFs invest in?
FSCS leans toward sectors like Financials, Industrials and Information Technology. Meanwhile, SMDX focuses on Industrials, Information Technology and Financials.
What are the top holdings of the FSCS ETF and SMDX ETF?
FSCS top holdings include PATHWARD FINANCIAL INC, MAGNOLIA OIL AND GAS CORP and INTER PARFUMS. SMDX holds in its top three: CIENA, JONES LANG LASALLE and EAST WEST BANCORP.
Which ETF is more diversified: FSCS or SMDX?
FSCS holds 100 securities with 16.06% of its assets in the top 15. SMDX has 527 securities and a top 15 weight of 16.15%.
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Direxion partnered with Compound Insights and Vanda to explore what’s driving the evolution of active trading — and how active traders are using leveraged and inverse funds across equities, single stocks, commodities, and volatility.
