ACWX vs. FDT

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

ACWX (iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF) and FDT (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - ACWX tracks the MSCI All Country World ex-U.S. Index while FDT tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ACWX returned 9.49%/yr vs 10.61%/yr for FDT. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ACWX charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FDT.

Performance

ACWX vs. FDT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) and First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ACWX achieves a 11.20% return, which is significantly lower than FDT's 20.41% return. Over the past 10 years, ACWX has underperformed FDT with an annualized return of 9.49%, while FDT has yielded a comparatively higher 10.61% annualized return.

ACWX

• 1D: 0.99%
• 1M: -1.50%
• YTD: 11.20%
• 6M: 13.60%
• 1Y: 27.04%
• 3Y*: 18.01%
• 5Y*: 7.87%
• 10Y*: 9.49%

FDT

• 1D: 1.18%
• 1M: -3.96%
• YTD: 20.41%
• 6M: 22.67%
• 1Y: 47.32%
• 3Y*: 27.66%
• 5Y*: 11.81%
• 10Y*: 10.61%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ACWX vs. FDT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ACWX iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF	11.20%	32.59%	5.17%	15.63%	-16.07%	7.67%	10.29%	21.05%	-13.99%	27.20%
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	20.41%	52.21%	6.97%	15.03%	-19.51%	11.43%	4.29%	16.82%	-19.98%	34.42%

Correlation

The correlation between ACWX and FDT is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 20, 2011	0.91

The correlation between ACWX and FDT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

ACWX vs. FDT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ACWX	FDT
Financial Services	23.3%	10.2%
Technology	22.4%	8.1%
Industrials	14.0%	34.0%
Consumer Cyclical	7.3%	11.5%
Healthcare	6.7%	1.4%
Basic Materials	6.7%	9.6%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	2.8%
Energy	4.8%	9.2%
Communication Services	4.7%	2.7%
Utilities	2.8%	5.2%
Real Estate	1.2%	5.3%

Return for Risk

ACWX vs. FDT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ACWX

ACWX Risk / Return Rank: 55
ACWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
ACWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
ACWX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
ACWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
ACWX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

FDT

FDT Risk / Return Rank: 80
FDT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
FDT Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
FDT Omega Ratio Rank: 83
FDT Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
FDT Martin Ratio Rank: 78

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ACWX vs. FDT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) and First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	ACWX	FDT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	2.49	-0.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.32	3.18	-0.87
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.45	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.38	3.55	-1.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.17	13.67	-4.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ACWX vs. FDT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACWX Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is lower than the FDT Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACWX and FDT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ACWX	FDT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.70	2.49	-0.80
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	0.65	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.57	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.22	0.38	-0.15

Drawdowns

ACWX vs. FDT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACWX drawdown since its inception was -60.40%, which is greater than FDT's maximum drawdown of -46.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACWX and FDT.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACWX	FDT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.40%	-46.10%	-14.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.42%	-13.41%	+1.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.84%	-14.29%	+0.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.07%	-33.04%	+2.97%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.38%	-46.10%	+10.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.74%	-5.58%	+1.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.33%	-10.77%	-2.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.95%	3.47%	-0.52%

Volatility

ACWX vs. FDT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) is 6.26%, while First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) has a volatility of 8.24%. This indicates that ACWX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FDT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ACWX	FDT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.26%	8.24%	-1.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.90%	16.73%	-2.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.05%	19.12%	-3.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.38%	18.36%	-1.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.42%	18.59%	-1.17%

ACWX vs. FDT - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACWX has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is lower than FDT's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACWX vs. FDT - Dividend Comparison

ACWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.54%, less than FDT's 2.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACWX iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF	2.54%	2.82%	2.97%	2.96%	2.68%	2.74%	1.88%	3.22%	2.60%	2.40%	2.77%	2.51%
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	2.96%	3.27%	3.89%	4.36%	2.29%	3.80%	2.42%	2.78%	2.13%	1.57%	1.76%	1.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ACWX and FDT in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, ACWX and FDT move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, ACWX or FDT?

FDT has higher volatility (8.24%) compared to ACWX (6.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACWX dropped -60.40% vs FDT's -46.10%.

Which ETF is better, ACWX or FDT?

On 10-year performance, FDT leads with 10.61% vs 9.49% for ACWX. On fees, ACWX is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, ACWX has been the lower-risk option at 6.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ACWX or FDT?

Over the 10-year period, FDT has performed better with a 10.61% return vs 9.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ACWX or FDT?

ACWX is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ACWX or FDT?

FDT has the higher dividend yield at 2.96%, compared with 2.54% for ACWX.

What is the main difference between ACWX and FDT?

ACWX tracks MSCI All Country World ex-U.S. Index, while FDT tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for ACWX and 0.80% for FDT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 1.70), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.