FDTS vs. NISM
FDTS (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund) and NISM (NYLI International Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF) are both Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities funds. FDTS is passively managed, while NISM is actively managed. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FDTS charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for NISM.
Performance
FDTS vs. NISM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
FDTS
- 1D
- -1.49%
- 1M
- -4.91%
- 6M
- 7.81%
- YTD
- 12.95%
- 1Y
- 30.55%
- 3Y*
- 21.54%
- 5Y*
- 10.04%
- 10Y*
- 10.01%
NISM
- 1D
- -1.04%
- 1M
- -1.17%
- 6M
- —
- YTD
- —
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FDTS vs. NISM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | |
|---|---|
FDTS First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund | -6.92% |
NISM NYLI International Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF | -2.69% |
Correlation
The correlation between FDTS and NISM is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 13, 2026 | 0.81 |
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Return for Risk
FDTS vs. NISM — Risk / Return Rank
FDTS
NISM
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
FDTS vs. NISM - 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 NYLI International Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF (NISM). 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 | NISM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.43 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.08 | — | — |
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Drawdowns
FDTS vs. NISM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FDTS drawdown since its inception was -51.26%, which is greater than NISM's maximum drawdown of -4.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDTS and NISM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FDTS | NISM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -51.26% | -4.35% | -46.91% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.61% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.19% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -33.11% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -51.26% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -9.45% | -2.77% | -6.68% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.63% | -1.75% | -8.88% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.33% | — | — |
Volatility
FDTS vs. NISM - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| FDTS | NISM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.58% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.39% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.74% | 14.27% | +4.47% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 29.49% | 14.27% | +15.22% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.83% | 14.27% | +10.56% |
FDTS vs. NISM - Expense Ratio Comparison
FDTS has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than NISM's 0.70% expense ratio.
Dividends
FDTS vs. NISM - Dividend Comparison
FDTS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.89%, more than NISM's 0.25% 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 | 2.89% | 2.94% | 3.94% | 2.90% | 3.71% | 3.01% | 2.02% | 2.30% | 1.96% | 2.08% | 1.78% | 1.73% |
NISM NYLI International Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF | 0.25% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FDTS and NISM have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, NISM is cheaper at 0.70% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
NISM is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDTS.
FDTS has the higher dividend yield at 2.89%, compared with 0.25% for NISM.
They also come from different issuers: First Trust and New York Life Investment Management. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for FDTS and 0.70% for NISM.
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