FDTS vs. ASCI

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS) and abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF (ASCI).

FDTS and ASCI are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. FDTS is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Small Cap Index. It was launched on Feb 15, 2012. ASCI is an actively managed fund by abrdn. It was launched on Oct 17, 2025.

Performance

FDTS vs. ASCI - 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 abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF (ASCI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

FDTS vs. ASCI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FDTS First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund	11.04%	5.37%
ASCI abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF	-3.73%	1.11%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDTS achieves a 11.04% return, which is significantly higher than ASCI's -3.73% return.

FDTS

• 1D: 3.04%
• 1M: -9.63%
• YTD: 11.04%
• 6M: 16.94%
• 1Y: 59.05%
• 3Y*: 21.33%
• 5Y*: 10.78%
• 10Y*: 10.43%

ASCI

• 1D: 3.16%
• 1M: -7.77%
• YTD: -3.73%
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FDTS vs. ASCI - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDTS has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than ASCI's 0.70% expense ratio.

FDTS

First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund

ASCI

abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF

Return for Risk

FDTS vs. ASCI — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDTS

FDTS Risk / Return Rank: 97
FDTS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
FDTS Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
FDTS Omega Ratio Rank: 97
FDTS Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
FDTS Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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. ASCI - 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 abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF (ASCI). 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	ASCI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.16	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.90	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.60	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.68	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.83	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FDTS	ASCI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.16	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	-0.34	+0.69

Correlation

The correlation between FDTS and ASCI is 0.75, 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.

Dividends

FDTS vs. ASCI - Dividend Comparison

FDTS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.71%, more than ASCI's 0.83% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDTS First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund	2.71%	2.94%	3.94%	2.90%	3.71%	3.01%	2.02%	2.30%	1.96%	2.08%	1.78%	1.73%
ASCI abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF	0.83%	0.80%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

FDTS vs. ASCI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDTS drawdown since its inception was -51.26%, which is greater than ASCI's maximum drawdown of -11.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDTS and ASCI.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDTS	ASCI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.26%	-11.22%	-40.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.61%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.11%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.26%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.95%	-8.41%	-1.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.74%	-2.49%	-8.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.13%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	FDTS	ASCI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.97%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.60%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.77%	17.79%	+0.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.14%	17.79%	+11.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.75%	17.79%	+6.96%