CVIE vs. FDT

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

CVIE (Calvert International Responsible Index ETF) and FDT (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - CVIE tracks the Calvert International Responsible Index while FDT tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, CVIE returned 21.69%/yr vs 29.96%/yr for FDT. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CVIE charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FDT.

Performance

CVIE vs. FDT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Calvert International Responsible Index ETF (CVIE) 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, CVIE achieves a 19.14% return, which is significantly lower than FDT's 24.89% return.

CVIE

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 6.70%
• YTD: 19.14%
• 6M: 22.24%
• 1Y: 36.01%
• 3Y*: 21.69%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FDT

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 2.67%
• YTD: 24.89%
• 6M: 27.78%
• 1Y: 53.72%
• 3Y*: 29.96%
• 5Y*: 12.44%
• 10Y*: 10.76%

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

CVIE vs. FDT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
CVIE Calvert International Responsible Index ETF	19.14%	33.23%	5.37%	8.48%
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	24.89%	52.21%	6.97%	4.09%

Correlation

The correlation between CVIE and FDT is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2023	0.87

The correlation between CVIE and FDT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

CVIE vs. FDT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CVIE	FDT
Financial Services	24.6%	10.2%
Technology	22.6%	8.1%
Industrials	16.7%	34.0%
Healthcare	7.9%	1.4%
Consumer Cyclical	6.7%	11.5%
Basic Materials	6.2%	9.6%
Consumer Defensive	5.6%	2.8%
Communication Services	3.9%	2.7%
Utilities	3.1%	5.2%
Real Estate	1.6%	5.3%
Energy	1.1%	9.2%

Return for Risk

CVIE vs. FDT — Risk / Return Rank

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

CVIE

CVIE Risk / Return Rank: 64
CVIE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
CVIE Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
CVIE Omega Ratio Rank: 66
CVIE Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
CVIE Martin Ratio Rank: 63

FDT

FDT Risk / Return Rank: 84
FDT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
FDT Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
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.

CVIE vs. FDT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Calvert International Responsible Index ETF (CVIE) 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.

	CVIE	FDT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.18	2.93	-0.75
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.00	3.77	-0.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.52	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.85	4.03	-1.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.31	15.71	-4.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CVIE vs. FDT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CVIE Sharpe Ratio is 2.18, which is comparable to the FDT Sharpe Ratio of 2.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CVIE 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

	CVIE	FDT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.18	2.93	-0.75
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.69	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.58	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.28	0.39	+0.88

Drawdowns

CVIE vs. FDT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CVIE drawdown since its inception was -13.52%, smaller than the maximum FDT drawdown of -46.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CVIE and FDT.

Drawdown Indicators

	CVIE	FDT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.52%	-46.10%	+32.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.71%	-13.41%	+0.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.52%	-14.29%	+0.77%
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	-0.49%	-2.07%	+1.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.63%	-10.77%	+8.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.19%	3.43%	-0.24%

Volatility

CVIE vs. FDT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Calvert International Responsible Index ETF (CVIE) is 6.03%, while First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) has a volatility of 7.03%. This indicates that CVIE 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

	CVIE	FDT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.03%	7.03%	-1.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.23%	15.93%	-1.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.59%	18.42%	-1.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.38%	18.23%	-2.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.38%	18.52%	-3.14%

CVIE vs. FDT - Expense Ratio Comparison

CVIE has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than FDT's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

CVIE vs. FDT - Dividend Comparison

CVIE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.22%, less than FDT's 2.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CVIE Calvert International Responsible Index ETF	2.22%	2.85%	2.78%	1.96%	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	2.85%	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 CVIE and FDT in my portfolio?

CVIE and FDT have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CVIE or FDT?

FDT has higher volatility (7.03%) compared to CVIE (6.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CVIE dropped -13.52% vs FDT's -46.10%.

Which ETF is better, CVIE or FDT?

On 3-year performance, FDT leads with 29.96% vs 21.69% for CVIE. On fees, CVIE is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, CVIE has been the lower-risk option at 6.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CVIE or FDT?

Over the 3-year period, FDT has performed better with a 29.96% return vs 21.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CVIE or FDT?

CVIE is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDT.

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

FDT has the higher dividend yield at 2.85%, compared with 2.22% for CVIE.

What is the main difference between CVIE and FDT?

CVIE tracks Calvert International Responsible Index, while FDT tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index. They also come from different issuers: Calvert and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for CVIE and 0.80% for FDT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.93 vs 2.18), 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.