FDT vs. SCHF

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FDT (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund) and SCHF (Schwab International Equity ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - FDT tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index while SCHF tracks the FTSE Developed ex U.S. Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FDT returned 9.69%/yr vs 10.18%/yr for SCHF. Their correlation of 0.91 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FDT charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHF.

Performance

FDT vs. SCHF - 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 Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with FDT having a 14.23% return and SCHF slightly higher at 14.79%. Over the past 10 years, FDT has underperformed SCHF with an annualized return of 9.69%, while SCHF has yielded a comparatively higher 10.18% 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%

SCHF

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: -0.15%
• 6M: 8.48%
• YTD: 14.79%
• 1Y: 30.87%
• 3Y*: 18.32%
• 5Y*: 10.08%
• 10Y*: 10.18%
• ALL TIME*: 7.84%

*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)
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	$16.56M	$12.50M	$12.04M
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF	$215.25M	$219.24M	$213.98M

FDT vs. SCHF - 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%
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF	14.79%	34.55%	3.28%	18.35%	-14.80%	11.40%	9.48%	22.26%	-14.29%	26.03%

Correlation

The correlation between FDT and SCHF is 0.91, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 19, 2011	0.91

The correlation between FDT and SCHF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

FDT vs. SCHF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FDT	SCHF
Industrials	33.3%	14.3%
Technology	13.1%	16.4%
Consumer Cyclical	11.1%	6.3%
Financial Services	10.0%	25.6%
Basic Materials	8.6%	6.7%
Energy	7.6%	5.3%
Real Estate	5.1%	1.9%
Utilities	4.7%	3.2%
Consumer Defensive	2.7%	5.1%
Communication Services	2.5%	2.4%
Healthcare	1.3%	7.1%

Return for Risk

FDT vs. SCHF — 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

SCHF

SCHF Risk / Return Rank: 77
SCHF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SCHF Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
SCHF Omega Ratio Rank: 77
SCHF Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
SCHF Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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. SCHF - 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 Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF). 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	SCHF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.60	1.75	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.17	2.42	-0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.32	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.48	2.65	-0.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.32	9.84	-2.52

FDT vs. SCHF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDT Sharpe Ratio is 1.60, which is comparable to the SCHF Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDT and SCHF, 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. SCHF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDT drawdown since its inception was -46.10%, which is greater than SCHF's maximum drawdown of -34.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDT and SCHF.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDT	SCHF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.10%	-34.87%	-11.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.41%	-11.48%	-1.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.29%	-13.41%	-0.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.80%	-29.14%	-3.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.10%	-34.87%	-11.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.43%	-2.45%	-7.98%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.73%	-7.33%	-3.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.52%	3.08%	+1.44%

Volatility

FDT vs. SCHF - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) has a higher volatility of 6.33% compared to Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) at 5.38%. This indicates that FDT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCHF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FDT	SCHF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.33%	5.38%	+0.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.77%	15.48%	+3.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.77%	17.39%	+3.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.67%	16.70%	+1.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.57%	17.05%	+1.52%

FDT vs. SCHF - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDT has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHF's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDT vs. SCHF - Dividend Comparison

FDT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.93%, less than SCHF's 3.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	2.93%	3.27%	3.89%	4.36%	2.29%	3.80%	2.42%	2.78%	2.13%	1.57%	1.76%	1.83%
SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF	3.07%	3.42%	3.26%	2.97%	2.80%	3.19%	2.08%	2.95%	3.06%	2.35%	2.58%	2.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FDT and SCHF in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, FDT and SCHF move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FDT or SCHF?

FDT has higher volatility (6.33%) compared to SCHF (5.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDT dropped -46.10% vs SCHF's -34.87%.

Which ETF is better, FDT or SCHF?

On 10-year performance, SCHF leads with 10.18% vs 9.69% for FDT. On fees, SCHF is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, SCHF has been the lower-risk option at 5.38%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FDT or SCHF?

Over the 10-year period, SCHF has performed better with a 10.18% 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 SCHF?

SCHF is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDT.

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

SCHF has the higher dividend yield at 3.07%, compared with 2.93% for FDT.

What is the main difference between FDT and SCHF?

FDT tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index, while SCHF tracks FTSE Developed ex U.S. Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for FDT and 0.06% for SCHF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 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.