ASCI vs. FDTS

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF (ASCI) and First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS).

ASCI and FDTS are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. ASCI is an actively managed fund by abrdn. It was launched on Oct 17, 2025. FDTS is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Small Cap Index. It was launched on Feb 15, 2012.

Performance

ASCI vs. FDTS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF (ASCI) and First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

ASCI vs. FDTS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ASCI abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF	-3.73%	1.11%
FDTS First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund	11.04%	5.37%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ASCI achieves a -3.73% return, which is significantly lower than FDTS's 11.04% return.

ASCI

• 1D: 3.16%
• 1M: -7.77%
• YTD: -3.73%
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FDTS

• 1D: 3.04%
• 1M: -9.63%
• YTD: 11.04%
• 6M: 16.94%
• 1Y: 59.05%
• 3Y*: 21.33%
• 5Y*: 10.78%
• 10Y*: 10.43%

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

ASCI vs. FDTS - Expense Ratio Comparison

ASCI has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is lower than FDTS's 0.80% expense ratio.

FDTS

First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund

ASCI

abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF

Return for Risk

ASCI vs. FDTS — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDTS

FDTS Risk / Return Rank: 97
FDTS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
FDTS Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
FDTS Omega Ratio Rank: 97
FDTS Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
FDTS Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

ASCI vs. FDTS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF (ASCI) and First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ASCI	FDTS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	3.16	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.37	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.42	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.34	0.36	-0.69

Correlation

The correlation between ASCI and FDTS is 0.75, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

ASCI vs. FDTS - Dividend Comparison

ASCI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.83%, less than FDTS's 2.71% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ASCI abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF	0.83%	0.80%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FDTS First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund	2.71%	2.94%	3.94%	2.90%	3.71%	3.01%	2.02%	2.30%	1.96%	2.08%	1.78%	1.73%

Drawdowns

ASCI vs. FDTS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ASCI drawdown since its inception was -11.22%, smaller than the maximum FDTS drawdown of -51.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ASCI and FDTS.

Drawdown Indicators

	ASCI	FDTS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.22%	-51.26%	+40.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-12.61%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-33.11%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-51.26%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.41%	-9.95%	+1.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.49%	-10.74%	+8.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.13%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ASCI	FDTS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	7.97%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	12.60%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.79%	18.77%	-0.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.79%	29.14%	-11.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.79%	24.75%	-6.96%