FDTS vs. DISVX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FDTS (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund) and DISVX (DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio) are both Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, FDTS returned 10.51%/yr vs 11.41%/yr for DISVX. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FDTS charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for DISVX.

Performance

FDTS vs. DISVX - 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 DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio (DISVX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDTS achieves a 12.44% return, which is significantly higher than DISVX's 9.87% return. Over the past 10 years, FDTS has underperformed DISVX with an annualized return of 10.51%, while DISVX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.41% annualized return.

FDTS

• 1D: -3.77%
• 1M: -6.39%
• YTD: 12.44%
• 6M: 12.40%
• 1Y: 36.22%
• 3Y*: 23.84%
• 5Y*: 9.93%
• 10Y*: 10.51%

DISVX

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.53%
• YTD: 9.87%
• 6M: 9.48%
• 1Y: 35.07%
• 3Y*: 26.28%
• 5Y*: 14.32%
• 10Y*: 11.41%

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

FDTS vs. DISVX - 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	12.44%	51.17%	2.44%	10.96%	-15.34%	11.79%	12.90%	18.71%	-23.71%	36.01%
DISVX DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio	9.87%	52.17%	7.88%	17.58%	-9.80%	15.84%	0.82%	21.04%	-23.36%	25.41%

Correlation

The correlation between FDTS and DISVX is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 16, 2012	0.58

Over the past year, FDTS and DISVX have become more correlated (0.84) than their long-term average of 0.58, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

FDTS vs. DISVX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDTS

FDTS Risk / Return Rank: 60
FDTS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
FDTS Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
FDTS Omega Ratio Rank: 62
FDTS Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
FDTS Martin Ratio Rank: 57

DISVX

DISVX Risk / Return Rank: 68
DISVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
DISVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
DISVX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
DISVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
DISVX Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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. DISVX - 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 DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio (DISVX). 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	DISVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	2.46	-0.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.62	3.39	-0.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.45	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.89	2.73	+0.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.60	9.37	+0.23

FDTS vs. DISVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDTS Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is comparable to the DISVX Sharpe Ratio of 2.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDTS and DISVX, 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. DISVX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDTS drawdown since its inception was -51.26%, smaller than the maximum DISVX drawdown of -61.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDTS and DISVX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDTS	DISVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.26%	-61.57%	+10.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.61%	-13.26%	+0.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.19%	-13.69%	+0.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.11%	-27.43%	-5.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.26%	-49.24%	-2.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.86%	-3.99%	-5.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.64%	-12.18%	+1.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.78%	3.84%	-0.06%

Volatility

FDTS vs. DISVX - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS) has a higher volatility of 9.16% compared to DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio (DISVX) at 4.67%. This indicates that FDTS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DISVX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FDTS	DISVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.16%	4.67%	+4.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.13%	12.20%	+3.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.63%	14.71%	+3.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.47%	16.11%	+13.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.85%	16.73%	+8.12%

FDTS vs. DISVX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDTS has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than DISVX's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDTS vs. DISVX - Dividend Comparison

FDTS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.67%, less than DISVX's 6.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DISVX DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio	6.56%	7.17%	4.56%	3.87%	2.40%	3.51%	1.84%	3.97%	5.91%	3.77%	5.85%	3.51%
FDTS First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund	2.67%	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 DISVX in my portfolio?

FDTS and DISVX have a correlation of 0.84, 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 DISVX?

FDTS has higher volatility (9.16%) compared to DISVX (4.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDTS dropped -51.26% vs DISVX's -61.57%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DISVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.46 vs 1.95), 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.