A side-by-side comparison of First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX® Fund (FYX) and Principal U.S. Small-Cap Multi-Factor ETF (PSC) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | FYX | PSC |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -0.45% | +0.32%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | +0.68%✓ | +0.32% |
| 1-Week Change | -0.73% | -0.71%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -3.30% | -2.09%✓ |
| Current Price | $135.50 | $66.94 |
| AUM | $1.36B | $2.72B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.6% | 0.38%✓ |
| Dividend Yield | 0.90%✓ | 0.52% |
| Distribution Frequency | NA | NA |
| Inception Date | 2007-05-08 | 2016-09-21 |
| Holdings Count | 49 | 50 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Category | Small Blend | Small Blend |
| Beta | 1.07 | 1.09 |
| 52-Week High | $146.63 | $70.90 |
| 52-Week Low | $102.22 | $53.49 |
| 50-Day MA | $141.69 | $68.74 |
| 200-Day MA | $130.67 | $63.81 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | FYX | PSC |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -0.45% | +0.32%✓ |
| 1 Year | +28.33%✓ | +20.27% |
| 3 Year | +20.71%✓ | +19.15% |
| 5 Year | +9.53%✓ | +9.10% |
| 10 Year | +11.80%✓ | +11.57% |
| 1Y Volatility | 13.79% | 14.31% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.79 | 0.76 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | TXG | 10X Genomics Inc | 0.61% |
| 2 | ASGN | ASGN Inc | 0.61% |
| 3 | TWST | Twist Bioscience Corp | 0.58% |
| 4 | CBZ | CBIZ Inc | 0.57% |
| 5 | PBF | PBF Energy Inc | 0.54% |
| 6 | LPG | Dorian LPG Ltd | 0.53% |
| 7 | CNMD | CONMED Corporation | 0.47% |
| 8 | INSW | International Seaways Inc | 0.47% |
| 9 | PARR | Par Pacific Holdings Inc | 0.46% |
| 10 | PGEN | Precigen Inc | 0.45% |
| 1 | TXG | 10X Genomics Inc | 1.26% |
| 2 | TWST | Twist Bioscience Corp | 1.18% |
| 3 | ZETA | Zeta Global Holdings Corp | 1.01% |
| 4 | WT | WisdomTree Inc. | 0.96% |
| 5 | FRSH | Freshworks Inc | 0.83% |
| 6 | MRX | Marex Group plc Ordinary Shares | 0.82% |
| 7 | EAT | Brinker International Inc | 0.82% |
| 8 | BFH | Bread Financial Holdings, Inc. | 0.72% |
| 9 | FF60 | FIRSTCASH HLDGS INC.DL-01 | 0.71% |
| 10 | BKH | Black Hills Corporation | 0.68% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | FYX | PSC |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 4.36% | 4.44% |
| Communication Services | 3.09% | 2.44% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 11.04% | 8.95% |
| Consumer Defensive | 5.36% | 2.79% |
| Energy | 7.19% | 6.24% |
| Financial Services | 18.26% | 17.78% |
| Healthcare | 16.19% | 21.29% |
| Industrials | 14.25% | 11.65% |
| Real Estate | 7.18% | 5.44% |
| Technology | 11.48% | 16.33% |
| Utilities | 1.60% | 2.65% |
About FYX
The fund will normally invest at least 90% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in the securities that comprise the index. The index is designed to select stocks from the NASDAQ US 700 Small Cap Index TM (the base index) that may generate positive alpha, or risk-adjusted returns, relative to traditional indices through the use of the AlphaDEX® selection methodology.
About PSC
Under normal circumstances, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities of U.S. companies with small market capitalizations. For this fund, companies with small market capitalizations are those with market capitalizations within the range of companies comprising the Russell 2000 Index.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both FYX and PSC are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, PSC scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between FYX and PSC?
FYX (First Trust Small Cap Core AlphaDEX® Fund) and PSC (Principal U.S. Small-Cap Multi-Factor ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($1.36B vs $2.72B), dividend yield (0.90% vs 0.52%), and year-to-date performance (-0.45% vs +0.32%).
Is FYX better than PSC?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise dividends, compare both yields and choose based on your income needs. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy FYX and PSC on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both FYX and PSC should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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