COPX vs. FDTS

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

COPX (Global X Copper Miners ETF) and FDTS (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - COPX is a Copper fund tracking the Solactive Global Copper Miners Total Return Index, while FDTS is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Small Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, COPX returned 21.86%/yr vs 10.96%/yr for FDTS. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. COPX charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FDTS.

Performance

COPX vs. FDTS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Copper Miners ETF (COPX) and First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS). 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 COPX having a 19.75% return and FDTS slightly lower at 18.78%. Over the past 10 years, COPX has outperformed FDTS with an annualized return of 21.86%, while FDTS has yielded a comparatively lower 10.96% annualized return.

COPX

• 1D: 3.38%
• 1M: -3.82%
• YTD: 19.75%
• 6M: 29.13%
• 1Y: 106.27%
• 3Y*: 33.96%
• 5Y*: 19.28%
• 10Y*: 21.86%

FDTS

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: -3.79%
• YTD: 18.78%
• 6M: 20.77%
• 1Y: 44.72%
• 3Y*: 24.70%
• 5Y*: 10.78%
• 10Y*: 10.96%

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

COPX vs. FDTS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
COPX Global X Copper Miners ETF	19.75%	93.50%	3.57%	8.38%	-0.76%	23.39%	51.66%	12.48%	-31.31%	38.92%
FDTS First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund	18.78%	51.17%	2.44%	10.96%	-15.34%	11.79%	12.90%	18.71%	-23.71%	36.01%

Correlation

The correlation between COPX and FDTS is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 16, 2012	0.45

Over the past year, COPX and FDTS have become more correlated (0.66) than their long-term average of 0.45, meaning their price movements have been converging.

COPX vs. FDTS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	COPX	FDTS
Basic Materials	96.7%	11.3%
Industrials	3.3%	22.2%
Communication Services	-	3.2%
Consumer Cyclical	-	18.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.7%
Energy	-	4.0%
Financial Services	-	11.9%
Healthcare	-	2.8%
Real Estate	-	4.3%
Technology	-	14.1%
Utilities	-	2.7%

Return for Risk

COPX vs. FDTS — Risk / Return Rank

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

COPX

COPX Risk / Return Rank: 76
COPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
COPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
COPX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
COPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
COPX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

FDTS

FDTS Risk / Return Rank: 79
FDTS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
FDTS Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
FDTS Omega Ratio Rank: 81
FDTS Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
FDTS Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

COPX vs. FDTS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Copper Miners ETF (COPX) 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.

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.

	COPX	FDTS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.39	2.37	+0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	3.15	-0.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.42	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.75	3.43	+0.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.60	11.78	-0.18

COPX vs. FDTS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current COPX Sharpe Ratio is 2.39, which is comparable to the FDTS Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of COPX and FDTS, 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

COPX vs. FDTS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum COPX drawdown since its inception was -83.16%, which is greater than FDTS's maximum drawdown of -51.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for COPX and FDTS.

Drawdown Indicators

	COPX	FDTS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-83.16%	-51.26%	-31.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-27.82%	-12.61%	-15.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-39.72%	-13.19%	-26.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.12%	-33.11%	-9.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-65.41%	-51.26%	-14.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.17%	-4.77%	-5.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-39.28%	-10.64%	-28.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.98%	3.66%	+5.32%

Volatility

COPX vs. FDTS - Volatility Comparison

Global X Copper Miners ETF (COPX) has a higher volatility of 19.30% compared to First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS) at 8.44%. This indicates that COPX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FDTS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	COPX	FDTS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	19.30%	8.44%	+10.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	38.15%	15.54%	+22.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	43.66%	18.27%	+25.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	37.00%	29.42%	+7.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.75%	24.92%	+10.83%

COPX vs. FDTS - Expense Ratio Comparison

COPX has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than FDTS's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

COPX vs. FDTS - Dividend Comparison

COPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.24%, less than FDTS's 2.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
COPX Global X Copper Miners ETF	2.24%	2.68%	1.80%	2.39%	3.14%	1.48%	1.30%	1.37%	2.59%	1.57%	0.60%	1.20%
FDTS First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund	2.53%	2.94%	3.94%	2.90%	3.71%	3.01%	2.02%	2.30%	1.96%	2.08%	1.78%	1.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both COPX and FDTS in my portfolio?

COPX and FDTS have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, COPX or FDTS?

COPX has higher volatility (19.30%) compared to FDTS (8.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, COPX dropped -83.16% vs FDTS's -51.26%.

Which ETF is better, COPX or FDTS?

On 10-year performance, COPX leads with 21.86% vs 10.96% for FDTS. On fees, COPX is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, FDTS has been the lower-risk option at 8.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, COPX or FDTS?

Over the 10-year period, COPX has performed better with a 21.86% return vs 10.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, COPX or FDTS?

COPX is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDTS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, COPX or FDTS?

FDTS has the higher dividend yield at 2.53%, compared with 2.24% for COPX.

What is the main difference between COPX and FDTS?

COPX is categorized as Copper, while FDTS is Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities. COPX tracks Solactive Global Copper Miners Total Return Index, while FDTS tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Small Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for COPX and 0.80% for FDTS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

COPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 2.37), 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.