COLO vs. FDT

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

COLO (Global X MSCI Colombia ETF) and FDT (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - COLO is a Latin America Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Colombia Select 25/50 Index, while FDT is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, COLO returned 7.08%/yr vs 11.17%/yr for FDT. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. COLO charges 0.62%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FDT.

Performance

COLO vs. FDT - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with COLO having a 23.32% return and FDT slightly lower at 23.23%. Over the past 10 years, COLO has underperformed FDT with an annualized return of 7.08%, while FDT has yielded a comparatively higher 11.17% annualized return.

COLO

• 1D: 2.47%
• 1M: 19.46%
• YTD: 23.32%
• 6M: 22.17%
• 1Y: 61.40%
• 3Y*: 35.23%
• 5Y*: 16.00%
• 10Y*: 7.08%

FDT

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: -1.96%
• YTD: 23.23%
• 6M: 24.33%
• 1Y: 50.01%
• 3Y*: 27.84%
• 5Y*: 12.16%
• 10Y*: 11.17%

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

COLO vs. FDT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
COLO Global X MSCI Colombia ETF	23.32%	68.88%	4.68%	24.92%	-21.32%	-11.50%	-14.60%	30.42%	-19.88%	11.88%
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	23.23%	52.21%	6.97%	15.03%	-19.51%	11.43%	4.29%	16.82%	-19.98%	34.42%

Correlation

The correlation between COLO and FDT is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 19, 2011	0.54

The correlation between COLO and FDT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.45 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.

COLO vs. FDT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	COLO	FDT
Financial Services	39.3%	10.2%
Basic Materials	18.4%	9.6%
Utilities	17.7%	5.2%
Energy	17.3%	9.2%
Communication Services	3.4%	2.7%
Industrials	2.4%	34.0%
Consumer Cyclical	1.5%	11.5%
Consumer Defensive	-	2.8%
Healthcare	-	1.4%
Real Estate	-	5.3%
Technology	-	8.1%

Return for Risk

COLO vs. FDT — Risk / Return Rank

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

COLO

COLO Risk / Return Rank: 80
COLO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
COLO Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
COLO Omega Ratio Rank: 86
COLO Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
COLO Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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: 80
FDT Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

COLO vs. FDT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X MSCI Colombia ETF (COLO) 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.

	COLO	FDT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.67	2.54	+0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.59	3.27	+0.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.46	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.46	3.70	-0.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.36	14.01	-4.65

COLO vs. FDT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current COLO Sharpe Ratio is 2.67, which is comparable to the FDT Sharpe Ratio of 2.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of COLO 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

COLO vs. FDT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum COLO drawdown since its inception was -78.91%, which is greater than FDT's maximum drawdown of -46.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for COLO and FDT.

Drawdown Indicators

	COLO	FDT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-78.91%	-46.10%	-32.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.79%	-13.41%	-4.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.35%	-14.29%	-4.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.86%	-32.80%	-11.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-62.75%	-46.10%	-16.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-16.29%	-3.37%	-12.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-40.28%	-10.76%	-29.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.56%	3.54%	+3.02%

Volatility

COLO vs. FDT - Volatility Comparison

Global X MSCI Colombia ETF (COLO) has a higher volatility of 11.56% compared to First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) at 8.93%. This indicates that COLO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FDT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	COLO	FDT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.56%	8.93%	+2.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.33%	17.27%	+3.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.03%	19.59%	+3.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.37%	18.46%	+4.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.47%	18.62%	+6.85%

COLO vs. FDT - Expense Ratio Comparison

COLO has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is lower than FDT's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

COLO vs. FDT - Dividend Comparison

COLO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.09%, more than FDT's 2.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
COLO Global X MSCI Colombia ETF	6.09%	7.51%	6.08%	6.99%	12.55%	2.32%	3.23%	3.04%	3.03%	1.83%	1.48%	1.58%
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	2.89%	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 COLO and FDT in my portfolio?

COLO and FDT have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, COLO or FDT?

COLO has higher volatility (11.56%) compared to FDT (8.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, COLO dropped -78.91% vs FDT's -46.10%.

Which ETF is better, COLO or FDT?

On 10-year performance, FDT leads with 11.17% vs 7.08% for COLO. On fees, COLO is cheaper at 0.62% per year. On volatility, FDT has been the lower-risk option at 8.93%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, COLO or FDT?

Over the 10-year period, FDT has performed better with a 11.17% return vs 7.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, COLO or FDT?

COLO is cheaper with a 0.62% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDT.

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

COLO has the higher dividend yield at 6.09%, compared with 2.89% for FDT.

What is the main difference between COLO and FDT?

COLO is categorized as Latin America Equities, while FDT is Foreign Large Cap Equities. COLO tracks MSCI All Colombia Select 25/50 Index, while FDT tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.62% for COLO and 0.80% for FDT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

COLO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 vs 2.54), 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.