FDTS vs. ACWX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

FDTS (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund) and ACWX (iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. 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 ACWX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World ex-U.S. Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FDTS returned 9.93%/yr vs 9.49%/yr for ACWX. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FDTS charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ACWX.

Performance

FDTS vs. ACWX - 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 ex U.S. ETF (ACWX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDTS achieves a 14.34% return, which is significantly higher than ACWX's 11.20% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FDTS having a 9.93% annualized return and ACWX not far behind at 9.49%.

FDTS

• 1D: 1.24%
• 1M: -8.33%
• YTD: 14.34%
• 6M: 16.46%
• 1Y: 40.77%
• 3Y*: 23.77%
• 5Y*: 10.11%
• 10Y*: 9.93%

ACWX

• 1D: 0.99%
• 1M: -1.50%
• YTD: 11.20%
• 6M: 13.60%
• 1Y: 27.04%
• 3Y*: 18.01%
• 5Y*: 7.87%
• 10Y*: 9.49%

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

FDTS vs. ACWX - 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	14.34%	51.17%	2.44%	10.96%	-15.34%	11.79%	12.90%	18.71%	-23.71%	36.01%
ACWX iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF	11.20%	32.59%	5.17%	15.63%	-16.07%	7.67%	10.29%	21.05%	-13.99%	27.20%

Correlation

The correlation between FDTS and ACWX is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 17, 2012	0.55

Over the past year, FDTS and ACWX have become more correlated (0.85) than their long-term average of 0.55, meaning their price movements have been converging.

FDTS vs. ACWX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FDTS	ACWX
Industrials	23.0%	14.0%
Consumer Cyclical	18.4%	7.3%
Technology	13.4%	22.4%
Financial Services	11.7%	23.3%
Basic Materials	11.2%	6.7%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	5.0%
Real Estate	4.3%	1.2%
Energy	4.3%	4.8%
Healthcare	3.0%	6.7%
Communication Services	3.0%	4.7%
Utilities	2.7%	2.8%

Return for Risk

FDTS vs. ACWX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDTS

FDTS Risk / Return Rank: 74
FDTS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
FDTS Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
FDTS Omega Ratio Rank: 76
FDTS Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
FDTS Martin Ratio Rank: 69

ACWX

ACWX Risk / Return Rank: 55
ACWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
ACWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
ACWX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
ACWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
ACWX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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. ACWX - 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 ex U.S. ETF (ACWX). 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.

	FDTS	ACWX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.32	1.70	+0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.01	2.32	+0.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.31	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.25	2.38	+0.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.52	9.17	+2.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FDTS vs. ACWX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDTS Sharpe Ratio is 2.32, which is higher than the ACWX Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDTS and ACWX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FDTS	ACWX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.32	1.70	+0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	0.48	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40	0.55	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.22	+0.14

Drawdowns

FDTS vs. ACWX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDTS drawdown since its inception was -51.26%, smaller than the maximum ACWX drawdown of -60.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDTS and ACWX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDTS	ACWX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.26%	-60.40%	+9.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.61%	-11.42%	-1.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.19%	-13.84%	+0.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.11%	-30.07%	-3.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.26%	-35.38%	-15.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.33%	-3.74%	-4.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.65%	-13.33%	+2.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.55%	2.95%	+0.60%

Volatility

FDTS vs. ACWX - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS) has a higher volatility of 7.49% compared to iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) at 6.26%. This indicates that FDTS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ACWX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FDTS	ACWX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.49%	6.26%	+1.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.83%	13.90%	+0.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.67%	16.05%	+1.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.35%	16.38%	+12.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.88%	17.42%	+7.46%

FDTS vs. ACWX - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

FDTS vs. ACWX - Dividend Comparison

FDTS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.63%, more than ACWX's 2.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACWX iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF	2.54%	2.82%	2.97%	2.96%	2.68%	2.74%	1.88%	3.22%	2.60%	2.40%	2.77%	2.51%
FDTS First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund	2.63%	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 ACWX in my portfolio?

FDTS and ACWX have a correlation of 0.85, 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 ACWX?

FDTS has higher volatility (7.49%) compared to ACWX (6.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDTS dropped -51.26% vs ACWX's -60.40%.

Which ETF is better, FDTS or ACWX?

On 10-year performance, FDTS leads with 9.93% vs 9.49% for ACWX. On fees, ACWX is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, ACWX has been the lower-risk option at 6.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FDTS or ACWX?

Over the 10-year period, FDTS has performed better with a 9.93% return vs 9.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FDTS or ACWX?

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

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

FDTS has the higher dividend yield at 2.63%, compared with 2.54% for ACWX.

What is the main difference between FDTS and ACWX?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDTS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 1.70), 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.