FDT vs. FDL

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FDT (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FDT is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FDT returned 9.69%/yr vs 11.09%/yr for FDL. Their 0.59 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FDT charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for FDL.

Performance

FDT vs. FDL - 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 First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDT achieves a 14.23% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 18.16% return. Over the past 10 years, FDT has underperformed FDL with an annualized return of 9.69%, while FDL has yielded a comparatively higher 11.09% annualized return.

FDT

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: -4.05%
• 6M: 3.93%
• YTD: 14.23%
• 1Y: 33.19%
• 3Y*: 22.82%
• 5Y*: 11.18%
• 10Y*: 9.69%
• ALL TIME*: 6.57%

FDL

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 3.27%
• 6M: 9.50%
• YTD: 18.16%
• 1Y: 27.65%
• 3Y*: 18.28%
• 5Y*: 13.98%
• 10Y*: 11.09%
• ALL TIME*: 8.94%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	$52.24M	$50.06M	$42.95M
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	$16.56M	$12.50M	$12.04M

FDT vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	14.23%	52.21%	6.97%	15.03%	-19.51%	11.43%	4.29%	16.82%	-19.98%	34.42%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	18.16%	14.79%	17.98%	2.94%	6.66%	26.10%	-4.30%	24.41%	-5.99%	12.02%

Correlation

The correlation between FDT and FDL is 0.03, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.03
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.32
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.47
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 19, 2011	0.59

Over the past year, the correlation between FDT and FDL has dropped to 0.03 - well below their long-term average of 0.59, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FDT vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FDT	FDL
Industrials	33.3%	3.6%
Technology	13.1%	4.3%
Consumer Cyclical	11.1%	4.4%
Financial Services	10.0%	13.7%
Basic Materials	8.6%	0.4%
Energy	7.6%	11.1%
Real Estate	5.1%	-
Utilities	4.7%	15.4%
Consumer Defensive	2.7%	24.3%
Communication Services	2.5%	11.2%
Healthcare	1.3%	11.7%

Return for Risk

FDT vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FDT

FDT Risk / Return Rank: 68
FDT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
FDT Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
FDT Omega Ratio Rank: 72
FDT Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
FDT Martin Ratio Rank: 61

FDL

FDL Risk / Return Rank: 92
FDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
FDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
FDL Omega Ratio Rank: 88
FDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
FDL Martin Ratio Rank: 91

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FDT vs. FDL - 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 First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL). 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.

	FDT	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.60	2.26	-0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.17	3.41	-1.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.39	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.48	6.29	-3.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.32	14.86	-7.54

FDT vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDT Sharpe Ratio is 1.60, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDT and FDL, 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

FDT vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDT drawdown since its inception was -46.10%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDT and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDT	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.10%	-65.93%	+19.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.41%	-4.27%	-9.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.29%	-12.24%	-2.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.80%	-16.46%	-16.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.10%	-41.40%	-4.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.43%	-1.96%	-8.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.73%	-9.59%	-1.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.52%	1.81%	+2.71%

Volatility

FDT vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) has a higher volatility of 6.33% compared to First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) at 4.96%. This indicates that FDT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FDL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FDT	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.33%	4.96%	+1.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.77%	8.97%	+9.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.77%	11.95%	+8.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.67%	14.44%	+4.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.57%	17.16%	+1.41%

FDT vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDT has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDT vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

FDT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.93%, less than FDL's 3.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	3.59%	4.04%	4.96%	4.58%	3.58%	4.59%	4.48%	3.75%	3.97%	3.18%	2.93%	3.65%
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	2.93%	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 FDL in my portfolio?

FDT and FDL have a correlation of 0.03, 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 FDL?

FDT has higher volatility (6.33%) compared to FDL (4.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDT dropped -46.10% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, FDT or FDL?

On 10-year performance, FDL leads with 11.09% vs 9.69% for FDT. On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.43% per year. On volatility, FDL has been the lower-risk option at 4.96%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FDT or FDL?

Over the 10-year period, FDL has performed better with a 11.09% return vs 9.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FDT or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.43% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDT.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.59%, compared with 2.93% for FDT.

What is the main difference between FDT and FDL?

FDT is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. FDT tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index, while FDL tracks Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for FDT and 0.43% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 1.60), 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.