FDTS vs. IYZ
FDTS (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund) and IYZ (iShares U.S. Telecommunications 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 IYZ is a Communications Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Telecommunications Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FDTS returned 10.96%/yr vs 5.94%/yr for IYZ. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FDTS charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.42%/yr for IYZ.
Performance
FDTS vs. IYZ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FDTS achieves a 18.78% return, which is significantly lower than IYZ's 29.57% return. Over the past 10 years, FDTS has outperformed IYZ with an annualized return of 10.96%, while IYZ has yielded a comparatively lower 5.94% 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%
IYZ
- 1D
- 1.27%
- 1M
- 2.31%
- YTD
- 29.57%
- 6M
- 32.60%
- 1Y
- 58.27%
- 3Y*
- 28.37%
- 5Y*
- 7.57%
- 10Y*
- 5.94%
FDTS vs. IYZ - 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% |
IYZ iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF | 29.57% | 29.28% | 20.53% | 3.90% | -30.29% | 11.69% | 4.13% | 16.14% | -8.59% | -11.86% |
Correlation
The correlation between FDTS and IYZ is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.43 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.46 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.45 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.39 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 16, 2012 | 0.36 |
The correlation between FDTS and IYZ shifts across timeframes, from 0.36 (all time) to 0.46 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FDTS vs. IYZ — Risk / Return Rank
FDTS
IYZ
FDTS vs. IYZ - 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 U.S. Telecommunications ETF (IYZ). 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 | IYZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.65 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.80 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.52 | -0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.43 | 6.54 | -3.11 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.78 | 25.99 | -14.21 |
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Drawdowns
FDTS vs. IYZ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FDTS drawdown since its inception was -51.26%, smaller than the maximum IYZ drawdown of -77.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDTS and IYZ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FDTS | IYZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -51.26% | -77.11% | +25.85% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.61% | -8.62% | -3.99% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.19% | -13.85% | +0.66% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -33.11% | -39.74% | +6.63% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -51.26% | -39.74% | -11.52% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.77% | -4.77% | 0.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.64% | -40.10% | +29.46% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.66% | 2.17% | +1.49% |
Volatility
FDTS vs. IYZ - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS) and iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF (IYZ) have volatilities of 8.44% and 8.76%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FDTS | IYZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.44% | 8.76% | -0.32% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.54% | 15.61% | -0.07% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.27% | 18.65% | -0.38% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 29.42% | 18.88% | +10.54% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.92% | 19.30% | +5.62% |
FDTS vs. IYZ - Expense Ratio Comparison
FDTS has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than IYZ's 0.42% expense ratio.
Dividends
FDTS vs. IYZ - Dividend Comparison
FDTS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.53%, more than IYZ's 1.53% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
IYZ iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF | 1.53% | 2.04% | 1.94% | 2.27% | 2.55% | 2.51% | 2.60% | 2.36% | 2.15% | 3.54% | 2.27% | 1.98% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FDTS and IYZ have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IYZ has higher volatility (8.76%) compared to FDTS (8.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDTS dropped -51.26% vs IYZ's -77.11%.
On 10-year performance, FDTS leads with 10.96% vs 5.94% for IYZ. On fees, IYZ is cheaper at 0.42% per year. On volatility, FDTS has been the lower-risk option at 8.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, FDTS has performed better with a 10.96% return vs 5.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IYZ is cheaper with a 0.42% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDTS.
FDTS has the higher dividend yield at 2.53%, compared with 1.53% for IYZ.
FDTS is categorized as Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities, while IYZ is Communications Equities. FDTS tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Small Cap Index, while IYZ tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Telecommunications Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for FDTS and 0.42% for IYZ.
IYZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.02 vs 2.37), 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.
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