FDTS vs. ACWI

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

FDTS (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund) and ACWI (iShares MSCI ACWI ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FDTS is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Small Cap Index, while ACWI is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FDTS returned 10.96%/yr vs 13.02%/yr for ACWI. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FDTS charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ACWI.

Performance

FDTS vs. ACWI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDTS achieves a 18.78% return, which is significantly higher than ACWI's 10.59% return. Over the past 10 years, FDTS has underperformed ACWI with an annualized return of 10.96%, while ACWI has yielded a comparatively higher 13.02% annualized return.

FDTS

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: -2.15%
• YTD: 18.78%
• 6M: 20.77%
• 1Y: 44.72%
• 3Y*: 24.70%
• 5Y*: 10.78%
• 10Y*: 10.96%

ACWI

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: 1.55%
• YTD: 10.59%
• 6M: 11.34%
• 1Y: 26.86%
• 3Y*: 19.78%
• 5Y*: 10.88%
• 10Y*: 13.02%

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

FDTS vs. ACWI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FDTS First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund	18.78%	51.17%	2.44%	10.96%	-15.34%	11.79%	12.90%	18.71%	-23.71%	36.01%
ACWI iShares MSCI ACWI ETF	10.59%	22.41%	17.45%	22.27%	-18.39%	18.66%	16.34%	26.59%	-9.19%	24.33%

Correlation

The correlation between FDTS and ACWI is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 16, 2012	0.51

Over the past year, FDTS and ACWI have become more correlated (0.80) than their long-term average of 0.51, meaning their price movements have been converging.

FDTS vs. ACWI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FDTS	ACWI
Industrials	22.2%	10.2%
Consumer Cyclical	18.9%	8.7%
Technology	14.1%	32.2%
Financial Services	11.9%	15.6%
Basic Materials	11.3%	3.6%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	4.7%
Real Estate	4.3%	1.6%
Energy	4.0%	3.9%
Communication Services	3.2%	8.2%
Healthcare	2.8%	8.1%
Utilities	2.7%	2.7%

Return for Risk

FDTS vs. ACWI — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDTS

FDTS Risk / Return Rank: 79
FDTS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
FDTS Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
FDTS Omega Ratio Rank: 81
FDTS Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
FDTS Martin Ratio Rank: 72

ACWI

ACWI Risk / Return Rank: 67
ACWI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
ACWI Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
ACWI Omega Ratio Rank: 67
ACWI Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
ACWI Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

FDTS vs. ACWI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS) and iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI). 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.

	FDTS	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	1.90	+0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.15	2.62	+0.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.35	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.43	2.62	+0.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.78	11.46	+0.32

FDTS vs. ACWI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDTS Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is comparable to the ACWI Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDTS and ACWI, 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

FDTS vs. ACWI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDTS drawdown since its inception was -51.26%, smaller than the maximum ACWI drawdown of -56.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDTS and ACWI.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDTS	ACWI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.26%	-56.00%	+4.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.61%	-9.73%	-2.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.19%	-16.55%	+3.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.11%	-26.42%	-6.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.26%	-33.53%	-17.73%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.77%	-2.19%	-2.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.64%	-8.60%	-2.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.66%	2.22%	+1.44%

Volatility

FDTS vs. ACWI - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS) has a higher volatility of 8.44% compared to iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) at 5.17%. This indicates that FDTS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ACWI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FDTS	ACWI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.44%	5.17%	+3.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.54%	11.09%	+4.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.27%	13.42%	+4.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.42%	16.15%	+13.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.92%	17.14%	+7.78%

FDTS vs. ACWI - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDTS has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than ACWI's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDTS vs. ACWI - Dividend Comparison

FDTS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.53%, more than ACWI's 1.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACWI iShares MSCI ACWI ETF	1.40%	1.55%	1.70%	1.88%	1.79%	1.71%	1.43%	2.33%	2.18%	1.94%	2.19%	2.56%
FDTS First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund	2.53%	2.94%	3.94%	2.90%	3.71%	3.01%	2.02%	2.30%	1.96%	2.08%	1.78%	1.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FDTS and ACWI in my portfolio?

FDTS and ACWI have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FDTS or ACWI?

FDTS has higher volatility (8.44%) compared to ACWI (5.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDTS dropped -51.26% vs ACWI's -56.00%.

Which ETF is better, FDTS or ACWI?

On 10-year performance, ACWI leads with 13.02% vs 10.96% for FDTS. On fees, ACWI is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, ACWI has been the lower-risk option at 5.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FDTS or ACWI?

Over the 10-year period, ACWI has performed better with a 13.02% return vs 10.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FDTS or ACWI?

ACWI is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDTS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FDTS or ACWI?

FDTS has the higher dividend yield at 2.53%, compared with 1.40% for ACWI.

What is the main difference between FDTS and ACWI?

FDTS is categorized as Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities, while ACWI is Global Equities. FDTS tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Small Cap Index, while ACWI tracks MSCI All Country World Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for FDTS and 0.32% for ACWI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDTS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 1.90), 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.