FDD vs. FICS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FDD (First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund) and FICS (First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FDD is a Europe Equities fund tracking the STOXX Europe Select Dividend 30, while FICS is a Global Equities fund tracking the The International Developed Capital Strength Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FDD returned 11.03%/yr vs 4.92%/yr for FICS. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FDD charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for FICS.

Performance

FDD vs. FICS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (FDD) and First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF (FICS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDD achieves a 11.53% return, which is significantly higher than FICS's 0.83% return.

FDD

• 1D: -1.17%
• 1M: 3.51%
• YTD: 11.53%
• 6M: 17.78%
• 1Y: 33.02%
• 3Y*: 25.85%
• 5Y*: 11.03%
• 10Y*: 9.96%

FICS

• 1D: -0.83%
• 1M: 1.05%
• YTD: 0.83%
• 6M: 3.51%
• 1Y: 3.46%
• 3Y*: 9.67%
• 5Y*: 4.92%
• 10Y*: —

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

FDD vs. FICS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
FDD First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund	11.53%	62.50%	0.28%	14.16%	-16.14%	16.03%	-1.41%
FICS First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF	0.83%	20.44%	2.59%	18.07%	-19.47%	19.78%	2.20%

Correlation

The correlation between FDD and FICS is 0.77, 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	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 17, 2020	0.72

The correlation between FDD and FICS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

FDD vs. FICS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FDD	FICS
Financial Services	52.2%	28.5%
Industrials	12.5%	27.8%
Consumer Cyclical	12.3%	10.0%
Energy	10.8%	3.1%
Utilities	6.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.7%	14.2%
Real Estate	3.5%	-
Basic Materials	2.9%	4.0%
Communication Services	2.1%	4.0%
Healthcare	-	9.7%
Technology	-	1.8%

Return for Risk

FDD vs. FICS — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDD

FDD Risk / Return Rank: 64
FDD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
FDD Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
FDD Omega Ratio Rank: 60
FDD Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
FDD Martin Ratio Rank: 64

FICS

FICS Risk / Return Rank: 12
FICS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
FICS Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
FICS Omega Ratio Rank: 12
FICS Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
FICS Martin Ratio Rank: 13

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.

FDD vs. FICS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (FDD) and First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF (FICS). 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.

	FDD	FICS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	0.26	+1.90
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.98	0.47	+2.51
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.06	+0.32
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.53	0.34	+3.19
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.86	0.97	+10.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FDD vs. FICS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDD Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is higher than the FICS Sharpe Ratio of 0.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDD and FICS, 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

	FDD	FICS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.16	0.26	+1.90
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.29	+0.32
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.10	0.42	-0.32

Drawdowns

FDD vs. FICS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDD drawdown since its inception was -74.77%, which is greater than FICS's maximum drawdown of -29.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDD and FICS.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDD	FICS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.77%	-29.16%	-45.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.39%	-10.32%	+0.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.06%	-11.66%	-1.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.11%	-29.16%	-5.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.43%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.26%	-4.79%	+2.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-35.47%	-7.21%	-28.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.79%	3.60%	-0.81%

Volatility

FDD vs. FICS - Volatility Comparison

First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (FDD) has a higher volatility of 5.22% compared to First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF (FICS) at 4.53%. This indicates that FDD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FICS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FDD	FICS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.22%	4.53%	+0.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.35%	10.73%	+1.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.43%	13.26%	+2.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.39%	17.20%	+1.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.16%	16.94%	+3.22%

FDD vs. FICS - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDD has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is lower than FICS's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDD vs. FICS - Dividend Comparison

FDD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.55%, more than FICS's 1.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDD First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund	3.55%	3.99%	7.65%	6.85%	6.07%	3.44%	4.01%	4.69%	5.05%	2.78%	4.88%	4.35%
FICS First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF	1.96%	1.85%	2.01%	1.02%	1.89%	1.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FDD and FICS in my portfolio?

FDD and FICS have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FDD or FICS?

FDD has higher volatility (5.22%) compared to FICS (4.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDD dropped -74.77% vs FICS's -29.16%.

Which ETF is better, FDD or FICS?

On 5-year performance, FDD leads with 11.03% vs 4.92% for FICS. On fees, FDD is cheaper at 0.58% per year. On volatility, FICS has been the lower-risk option at 4.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FDD or FICS?

Over the 5-year period, FDD has performed better with a 11.03% return vs 4.92%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FDD or FICS?

FDD is cheaper with a 0.58% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for FICS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FDD or FICS?

FDD has the higher dividend yield at 3.55%, compared with 1.96% for FICS.

What is the main difference between FDD and FICS?

FDD is categorized as Europe Equities, while FICS is Global Equities. FDD tracks STOXX Europe Select Dividend 30, while FICS tracks The International Developed Capital Strength Index. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for FDD and 0.70% for FICS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 0.26), 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.