FDT vs. EFAV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FDT (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund) and EFAV (iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - FDT tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index while EFAV tracks the MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FDT returned 10.91%/yr vs 5.93%/yr for EFAV. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FDT charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for EFAV.

Performance

FDT vs. EFAV - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDT achieves a 25.50% return, which is significantly higher than EFAV's 3.83% return. Over the past 10 years, FDT has outperformed EFAV with an annualized return of 10.91%, while EFAV has yielded a comparatively lower 5.93% annualized return.

FDT

• 1D: -0.64%
• 1M: 5.22%
• YTD: 25.50%
• 6M: 28.63%
• 1Y: 55.05%
• 3Y*: 30.08%
• 5Y*: 12.55%
• 10Y*: 10.91%

EFAV

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: -1.10%
• YTD: 3.83%
• 6M: 5.18%
• 1Y: 9.41%
• 3Y*: 12.87%
• 5Y*: 6.17%
• 10Y*: 5.93%

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

FDT vs. EFAV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	25.50%	52.21%	6.97%	15.03%	-19.51%	11.43%	4.29%	16.82%	-19.98%	34.42%
EFAV iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF	3.83%	26.00%	5.30%	12.52%	-15.11%	7.20%	-0.06%	16.67%	-5.74%	22.24%

Correlation

The correlation between FDT and EFAV is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2011	0.81

The correlation between FDT and EFAV shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (1 year) to 0.81 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FDT vs. EFAV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FDT	EFAV
Industrials	34.0%	15.1%
Consumer Cyclical	11.5%	5.2%
Financial Services	10.2%	19.9%
Basic Materials	9.6%	1.6%
Energy	9.2%	8.2%
Technology	8.1%	4.5%
Real Estate	5.3%	2.9%
Utilities	5.2%	9.1%
Consumer Defensive	2.8%	11.5%
Communication Services	2.7%	9.7%
Healthcare	1.4%	12.4%

Return for Risk

FDT vs. EFAV — Risk / Return Rank

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

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: 79
FDT Martin Ratio Rank: 81

EFAV

EFAV Risk / Return Rank: 26
EFAV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
EFAV Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
EFAV Omega Ratio Rank: 24
EFAV Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
EFAV Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

FDT vs. EFAV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) and iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF (EFAV). 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.

	FDT	EFAV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.00	0.92	+2.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.85	1.33	+2.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.54	1.17	+0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.13	1.46	+2.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.12	4.10	+12.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FDT vs. EFAV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDT Sharpe Ratio is 3.00, which is higher than the EFAV Sharpe Ratio of 0.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDT and EFAV, 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

	FDT	EFAV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.00	0.92	+2.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.53	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	0.45	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.53	-0.14

Drawdowns

FDT vs. EFAV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDT drawdown since its inception was -46.10%, which is greater than EFAV's maximum drawdown of -27.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDT and EFAV.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDT	EFAV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.10%	-27.56%	-18.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.41%	-6.46%	-6.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.29%	-8.75%	-5.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.18%	-27.46%	-5.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.10%	-27.56%	-18.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.59%	-5.61%	+4.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.78%	-4.77%	-6.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.43%	2.30%	+1.13%

Volatility

FDT vs. EFAV - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) has a higher volatility of 7.23% compared to iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF (EFAV) at 3.17%. This indicates that FDT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EFAV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FDT	EFAV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.23%	3.17%	+4.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.91%	8.17%	+7.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.42%	10.35%	+8.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.23%	11.79%	+6.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.52%	13.21%	+5.31%

FDT vs. EFAV - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDT has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than EFAV's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDT vs. EFAV - Dividend Comparison

FDT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.84%, less than EFAV's 3.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EFAV iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF	3.08%	3.20%	3.24%	3.08%	2.53%	2.47%	1.33%	4.19%	3.34%	2.45%	3.94%	2.49%
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	2.84%	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 FDT and EFAV in my portfolio?

FDT and EFAV have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FDT or EFAV?

FDT has higher volatility (7.23%) compared to EFAV (3.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDT dropped -46.10% vs EFAV's -27.56%.

Which ETF is better, FDT or EFAV?

On 10-year performance, FDT leads with 10.91% vs 5.93% for EFAV. On fees, EFAV is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, EFAV has been the lower-risk option at 3.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FDT or EFAV?

Over the 10-year period, FDT has performed better with a 10.91% return vs 5.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FDT or EFAV?

EFAV is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDT.

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

EFAV has the higher dividend yield at 3.08%, compared with 2.84% for FDT.

What is the main difference between FDT and EFAV?

FDT tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index, while EFAV tracks MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for FDT and 0.20% for EFAV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.00 vs 0.92), 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.