FDTS vs. PEMX
FDTS (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund) and PEMX (Putnam Emerging Markets Ex-China 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 PEMX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund actively managed by Putnam. FDTS is passively managed, while PEMX is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, FDTS returned 25.12%/yr vs 33.94%/yr for PEMX. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FDTS charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for PEMX.
Performance
FDTS vs. PEMX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FDTS achieves a 20.23% return, which is significantly lower than PEMX's 42.45% return.
FDTS
- 1D
- 1.22%
- 1M
- -0.96%
- YTD
- 20.23%
- 6M
- 21.36%
- 1Y
- 46.49%
- 3Y*
- 25.12%
- 5Y*
- 11.27%
- 10Y*
- 11.10%
PEMX
- 1D
- 3.95%
- 1M
- 12.26%
- YTD
- 42.45%
- 6M
- 47.78%
- 1Y
- 74.75%
- 3Y*
- 33.94%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FDTS vs. PEMX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
FDTS First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund | 20.23% | 51.17% | 2.44% | 8.49% |
PEMX Putnam Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 42.45% | 34.01% | 17.21% | 15.13% |
Correlation
The correlation between FDTS and PEMX is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.75 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.69 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 18, 2023 | 0.69 |
The correlation between FDTS and PEMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
FDTS vs. PEMX — Risk / Return Rank
FDTS
PEMX
FDTS vs. PEMX - 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 Putnam Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (PEMX). 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 | PEMX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.58 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.40 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.45 | 1.55 | -0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.71 | 5.20 | -1.50 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.72 | 19.79 | -7.07 |
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Drawdowns
FDTS vs. PEMX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FDTS drawdown since its inception was -51.26%, which is greater than PEMX's maximum drawdown of -14.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDTS and PEMX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FDTS | PEMX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -51.26% | -14.91% | -36.35% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.61% | -14.45% | +1.84% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.19% | -14.91% | +1.72% |
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 | -3.61% | 0.00% | -3.61% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.64% | -2.86% | -7.78% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.67% | 3.79% | -0.12% |
Volatility
FDTS vs. PEMX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS) is 8.52%, while Putnam Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (PEMX) has a volatility of 13.14%. This indicates that FDTS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PEMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FDTS | PEMX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.52% | 13.14% | -4.62% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.57% | 21.52% | -5.95% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.23% | 23.92% | -5.69% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 29.43% | 19.05% | +10.38% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.87% | 19.05% | +5.82% |
FDTS vs. PEMX - Expense Ratio Comparison
FDTS has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is lower than PEMX's 0.85% expense ratio.
Dividends
FDTS vs. PEMX - Dividend Comparison
FDTS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.50%, less than PEMX's 4.92% 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 | 2.50% | 2.94% | 3.94% | 2.90% | 3.71% | 3.01% | 2.02% | 2.30% | 1.96% | 2.08% | 1.78% | 1.73% |
PEMX Putnam Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 4.92% | 7.00% | 5.00% | 0.72% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FDTS and PEMX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PEMX has higher volatility (13.14%) compared to FDTS (8.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDTS dropped -51.26% vs PEMX's -14.91%.
On 3-year performance, PEMX leads with 33.94% vs 25.12% for FDTS. On fees, FDTS is cheaper at 0.80% per year. On volatility, FDTS has been the lower-risk option at 8.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, PEMX has performed better with a 33.94% return vs 25.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FDTS is cheaper with a 0.80% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for PEMX.
PEMX has the higher dividend yield at 4.92%, compared with 2.50% for FDTS.
FDTS is categorized as Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities, while PEMX is Emerging Markets Diversified. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Putnam. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for FDTS and 0.85% for PEMX.
PEMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.15 vs 2.57), 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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