FDT vs. VEU
Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU).
FDT and VEU are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. FDT is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index. It was launched on Apr 18, 2011. VEU is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the FTSE All-World ex US Index. It was launched on Mar 2, 2007. Both FDT and VEU are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: FDT or VEU.
Key characteristics
| FDT | VEU | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 9.89% | 9.12% |
| 1Y Return | 20.56% | 20.09% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | 0.25% | 1.50% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 3.96% | 5.84% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 4.14% | 5.16% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 1.36 | 1.55 |
| Sortino Ratio | 1.82 | 2.20 |
| Omega Ratio | 1.24 | 1.27 |
| Calmar Ratio | 1.08 | 1.40 |
| Martin Ratio | 8.34 | 9.09 |
| Ulcer Index | 2.52% | 2.18% |
| Daily Std Dev | 15.45% | 12.75% |
| Max Drawdown | -46.10% | -61.52% |
| Current Drawdown | -4.10% | -5.29% |
Correlation
The correlation between FDT and VEU is 0.91, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Performance
FDT vs. VEU - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, FDT achieves a 9.89% return, which is significantly higher than VEU's 9.12% return. Over the past 10 years, FDT has underperformed VEU with an annualized return of 4.14%, while VEU has yielded a comparatively higher 5.16% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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FDT vs. VEU - Expense Ratio Comparison
FDT has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than VEU's 0.07% expense ratio.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
FDT vs. VEU - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU). 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.
Dividends
FDT vs. VEU - Dividend Comparison
FDT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.98%, more than VEU's 2.92% yield.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund | 3.98% | 4.36% | 2.29% | 3.80% | 2.42% | 2.78% | 2.13% | 1.57% | 1.76% | 1.83% | 1.74% | 1.88% |
VEU Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF | 2.92% | 3.32% | 3.12% | 3.07% | 2.00% | 3.10% | 3.27% | 2.66% | 2.96% | 2.95% | 3.52% | 2.66% |
Drawdowns
FDT vs. VEU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FDT drawdown since its inception was -46.10%, smaller than the maximum VEU drawdown of -61.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDT and VEU. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
FDT vs. VEU - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) is 3.73%, while Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU) has a volatility of 3.95%. This indicates that FDT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.