FDT vs. PPT

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

FDT (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund) and PPT (Putnam Premier Income Trust) are both funds - FDT is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index, while PPT is a Multisector Bonds fund actively managed by Putnam Investments. FDT is passively managed, while PPT is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, FDT returned 11.17%/yr vs 4.57%/yr for PPT. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

FDT vs. PPT - 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 Putnam Premier Income Trust (PPT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDT achieves a 23.23% return, which is significantly higher than PPT's 0.81% return. Over the past 10 years, FDT has outperformed PPT with an annualized return of 11.17%, while PPT has yielded a comparatively lower 4.57% annualized return.

FDT

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 0.87%
• YTD: 23.23%
• 6M: 24.33%
• 1Y: 50.01%
• 3Y*: 27.84%
• 5Y*: 12.16%
• 10Y*: 11.17%

PPT

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: 0.47%
• YTD: 0.81%
• 6M: 1.85%
• 1Y: 2.23%
• 3Y*: 7.60%
• 5Y*: 2.15%
• 10Y*: 4.57%

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

FDT vs. PPT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	23.23%	52.21%	6.97%	15.03%	-19.51%	11.43%	4.29%	16.82%	-19.98%	34.42%
PPT Putnam Premier Income Trust	0.81%	8.39%	8.80%	7.43%	-7.75%	-1.72%	-6.54%	25.53%	-6.36%	13.78%

Correlation

The correlation between FDT and PPT is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.21
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 19, 2011	0.22

Return for Risk

FDT vs. PPT — 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: 80
FDT Martin Ratio Rank: 82

PPT

PPT Risk / Return Rank: 5
PPT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
PPT Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
PPT Omega Ratio Rank: 4
PPT Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
PPT Martin Ratio Rank: 5

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. PPT - 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 Putnam Premier Income Trust (PPT). 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	PPT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.54	0.18	+2.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.27	0.33	+2.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.04	+0.42
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.70	0.33	+3.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.01	0.77	+13.24

FDT vs. PPT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDT Sharpe Ratio is 2.54, which is higher than the PPT Sharpe Ratio of 0.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDT and PPT, 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. PPT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDT drawdown since its inception was -46.10%, smaller than the maximum PPT drawdown of -49.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDT and PPT.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDT	PPT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.10%	-49.76%	+3.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.41%	-5.05%	-8.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.29%	-9.10%	-5.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.80%	-18.92%	-13.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.10%	-31.79%	-14.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.37%	-3.62%	+0.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.76%	-11.23%	+0.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.54%	2.18%	+1.36%

Volatility

FDT vs. PPT - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) has a higher volatility of 8.93% compared to Putnam Premier Income Trust (PPT) at 2.25%. This indicates that FDT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PPT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FDT	PPT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.93%	2.25%	+6.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.27%	6.99%	+10.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.59%	9.36%	+10.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.46%	11.96%	+6.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.62%	14.45%	+4.17%

Dividends

FDT vs. PPT - Dividend Comparison

FDT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.89%, less than PPT's 9.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	2.89%	3.27%	3.89%	4.36%	2.29%	3.80%	2.42%	2.78%	2.13%	1.57%	1.76%	1.83%
PPT Putnam Premier Income Trust	9.07%	8.81%	8.76%	8.74%	8.60%	7.31%	8.84%	7.73%	6.84%	5.85%	6.28%	6.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FDT and PPT in my portfolio?

FDT and PPT have a correlation of 0.23, 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 PPT?

FDT has higher volatility (8.93%) compared to PPT (2.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDT dropped -46.10% vs PPT's -49.76%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.54 vs 0.18), 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.