APIE vs. FDT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

APIE (ActivePassive International Equity ETF) and FDT (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. APIE is actively managed, while FDT is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, APIE returned 17.90%/yr vs 30.08%/yr for FDT. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. APIE charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FDT.

Performance

APIE vs. FDT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ActivePassive International Equity ETF (APIE) 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, APIE achieves a 8.11% return, which is significantly lower than FDT's 25.50% return.

APIE

• 1D: -1.51%
• 1M: 3.12%
• YTD: 8.11%
• 6M: 9.61%
• 1Y: 22.79%
• 3Y*: 17.90%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FDT

• 1D: -0.64%
• 1M: 5.22%
• YTD: 25.50%
• 6M: 28.63%
• 1Y: 55.05%
• 3Y*: 30.08%
• 5Y*: 12.55%
• 10Y*: 10.91%

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

APIE vs. FDT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
APIE ActivePassive International Equity ETF	8.11%	31.46%	7.37%	7.98%
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	25.50%	52.21%	6.97%	8.85%

Correlation

The correlation between APIE and FDT is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2023	0.75

The correlation between APIE and FDT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

APIE vs. FDT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	APIE	FDT
Technology	21.5%	8.1%
Financial Services	19.9%	10.2%
Industrials	14.4%	34.0%
Consumer Cyclical	9.8%	11.5%
Healthcare	9.2%	1.4%
Communication Services	7.2%	2.7%
Consumer Defensive	5.7%	2.8%
Basic Materials	5.4%	9.6%
Energy	3.4%	9.2%
Utilities	2.7%	5.2%
Real Estate	0.6%	5.3%

Return for Risk

APIE vs. FDT — Risk / Return Rank

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

APIE

APIE Risk / Return Rank: 40
APIE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
APIE Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
APIE Omega Ratio Rank: 38
APIE Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
APIE Martin Ratio Rank: 42

FDT

FDT Risk / Return Rank: 84
FDT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
FDT Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
FDT Omega Ratio Rank: 86
FDT Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
FDT Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

APIE vs. FDT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ActivePassive International Equity ETF (APIE) 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.

	APIE	FDT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.42	3.00	-1.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.05	3.85	-1.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.54	-0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.84	4.13	-2.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.77	16.12	-9.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

APIE vs. FDT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current APIE Sharpe Ratio is 1.42, which is lower than the FDT Sharpe Ratio of 3.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of APIE 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

	APIE	FDT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.42	3.00	-1.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.69	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.59	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.05	0.40	+0.65

Drawdowns

APIE vs. FDT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum APIE drawdown since its inception was -15.94%, smaller than the maximum FDT drawdown of -46.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for APIE and FDT.

Drawdown Indicators

	APIE	FDT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.94%	-46.10%	+30.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.41%	-13.41%	+1.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.94%	-14.29%	-1.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-33.18%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-46.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.51%	-1.59%	+0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.76%	-10.78%	+8.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.37%	3.43%	-0.06%

Volatility

APIE vs. FDT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ActivePassive International Equity ETF (APIE) is 5.51%, while First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) has a volatility of 7.23%. This indicates that APIE 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

	APIE	FDT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.51%	7.23%	-1.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.05%	15.91%	-2.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.16%	18.42%	-2.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.83%	18.23%	-1.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.83%	18.52%	-1.69%

APIE vs. FDT - Expense Ratio Comparison

APIE has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than FDT's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

APIE vs. FDT - Dividend Comparison

APIE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.43%, more than FDT's 2.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
APIE ActivePassive International Equity ETF	3.43%	3.71%	2.14%	0.63%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	2.84%	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 APIE and FDT in my portfolio?

APIE and FDT have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, APIE or FDT?

FDT has higher volatility (7.23%) compared to APIE (5.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, APIE dropped -15.94% vs FDT's -46.10%.

Which ETF is better, APIE or FDT?

On 3-year performance, FDT leads with 30.08% vs 17.90% for APIE. On fees, APIE is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, APIE has been the lower-risk option at 5.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, APIE or FDT?

Over the 3-year period, FDT has performed better with a 30.08% return vs 17.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, APIE or FDT?

APIE is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDT.

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

APIE has the higher dividend yield at 3.43%, compared with 2.84% for FDT.

What is the main difference between APIE and FDT?

They also come from different issuers: ActivePassive and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for APIE and 0.80% for FDT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.00 vs 1.42), 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.