AFL vs. FDT

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

AFL (Aflac Incorporated) is a stock, while FDT (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund) is Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index. Over the past 10 years, AFL returned 15.54%/yr vs 10.02%/yr for FDT. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

AFL vs. FDT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Aflac Incorporated (AFL) 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, AFL achieves a 12.99% return, which is significantly lower than FDT's 14.80% return. Over the past 10 years, AFL has outperformed FDT with an annualized return of 15.54%, while FDT has yielded a comparatively lower 10.02% annualized return.

AFL

• 1D: 1.14%
• 1M: 4.67%
• 6M: 14.44%
• YTD: 12.99%
• 1Y: 23.98%
• 3Y*: 23.64%
• 5Y*: 21.00%
• 10Y*: 15.54%

FDT

• 1D: -2.43%
• 1M: -6.84%
• 6M: 8.73%
• YTD: 14.80%
• 1Y: 34.70%
• 3Y*: 23.70%
• 5Y*: 11.25%
• 10Y*: 10.02%

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

AFL vs. FDT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AFL Aflac Incorporated	12.99%	8.94%	28.08%	17.36%	26.41%	34.55%	-13.60%	18.55%	6.20%	29.02%
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	14.80%	52.21%	6.97%	15.03%	-19.51%	11.43%	4.29%	16.82%	-19.98%	34.42%

Correlation

The correlation between AFL and FDT is -0.12, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.12
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.18
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 19, 2011	0.49

The correlation between AFL and FDT shifts across timeframes, from -0.12 (1 year) to 0.49 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AFL vs. FDT — Risk / Return Rank

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

AFL

AFL Risk / Return Rank: 82
AFL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
AFL Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
AFL Omega Ratio Rank: 78
AFL Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
AFL Martin Ratio Rank: 85

FDT

FDT Risk / Return Rank: 64
FDT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
FDT Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
FDT Omega Ratio Rank: 67
FDT Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
FDT Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

AFL vs. FDT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Aflac Incorporated (AFL) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AFL	FDT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.41	1.70	-0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.05	2.27	-0.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.32	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.64	2.60	+0.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.93	8.93	-2.00

AFL vs. FDT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AFL Sharpe Ratio is 1.41, which is comparable to the FDT Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AFL 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.

Drawdowns

AFL vs. FDT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AFL drawdown since its inception was -82.71%, which is greater than FDT's maximum drawdown of -46.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFL and FDT.

Drawdown Indicators

	AFL	FDT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.71%	-46.10%	-36.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.11%	-13.41%	+4.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.56%	-14.29%	+0.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.86%	-32.80%	+12.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.89%	-46.10%	-8.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-9.98%	+9.98%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.63%	-10.73%	-0.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.47%	3.90%	-0.43%

Volatility

AFL vs. FDT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Aflac Incorporated (AFL) is 4.98%, while First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) has a volatility of 8.14%. This indicates that AFL 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

	AFL	FDT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.98%	8.14%	-3.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.53%	18.41%	-5.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.11%	20.52%	-3.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.84%	18.61%	+2.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.72%	18.53%	+7.19%

Dividends

AFL vs. FDT - Dividend Comparison

AFL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.93%, less than FDT's 2.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AFL Aflac Incorporated	1.93%	2.10%	1.93%	2.04%	2.22%	2.26%	2.52%	2.04%	2.28%	1.98%	2.39%	2.64%
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	2.91%	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 AFL and FDT in my portfolio?

AFL and FDT have a correlation of -0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AFL or FDT?

FDT has higher volatility (8.14%) compared to AFL (4.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFL dropped -82.71% vs FDT's -46.10%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 1.41), 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.