FEP vs. FSZ

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FEP (First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund) and FSZ (First Trust Switzerland AlphaDEX Fund) are both Europe Equities funds from First Trust - FEP tracks the Defined Europe Index while FSZ tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Switzerland Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FEP returned 10.76%/yr vs 9.81%/yr for FSZ. Their 0.73 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. Both charge a 0.80% expense ratio.

Performance

FEP vs. FSZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund (FEP) and First Trust Switzerland AlphaDEX Fund (FSZ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FEP achieves a 11.59% return, which is significantly higher than FSZ's 3.71% return. Over the past 10 years, FEP has outperformed FSZ with an annualized return of 10.76%, while FSZ has yielded a comparatively lower 9.81% annualized return.

FEP

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 2.41%
• 6M: 5.11%
• YTD: 11.59%
• 1Y: 28.08%
• 3Y*: 22.63%
• 5Y*: 10.19%
• 10Y*: 10.76%
• ALL TIME*: 7.19%

FSZ

• 1D: -0.86%
• 1M: -1.77%
• 6M: 0.25%
• YTD: 3.71%
• 1Y: 10.06%
• 3Y*: 11.44%
• 5Y*: 5.67%
• 10Y*: 9.81%
• ALL TIME*: 9.28%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FEP First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund	$974.88K	$1.10M	$1.43M
FSZ First Trust Switzerland AlphaDEX Fund	$60.99K	$62.05K	$87.92K

FEP vs. FSZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FEP First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund	11.59%	55.72%	3.38%	16.85%	-22.97%	17.03%	4.12%	24.83%	-19.00%	36.27%
FSZ First Trust Switzerland AlphaDEX Fund	3.71%	30.10%	-1.85%	21.30%	-20.12%	20.18%	13.83%	25.88%	-15.22%	31.30%

Correlation

The correlation between FEP and FSZ is 0.75, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 16, 2012	0.73

The correlation between FEP and FSZ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

FEP vs. FSZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FEP	FSZ
Industrials	26.5%	22.2%
Consumer Cyclical	10.5%	11.0%
Basic Materials	10.5%	8.0%
Financial Services	10.4%	18.8%
Energy	9.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	8.3%	6.3%
Utilities	7.0%	2.6%
Healthcare	5.1%	23.1%
Real Estate	5.1%	3.2%
Communication Services	3.6%	3.5%
Technology	3.2%	1.4%

Return for Risk

FEP vs. FSZ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FEP

FEP Risk / Return Rank: 70
FEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
FEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
FEP Omega Ratio Rank: 70
FEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
FEP Martin Ratio Rank: 70

FSZ

FSZ Risk / Return Rank: 25
FSZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
FSZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
FSZ Omega Ratio Rank: 23
FSZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
FSZ Martin Ratio Rank: 26

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FEP vs. FSZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund (FEP) and First Trust Switzerland AlphaDEX Fund (FSZ). 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.

	FEP	FSZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.63	0.56	+1.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.29	0.92	+1.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.10	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.28	0.78	+1.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.53	2.09	+6.44

FEP vs. FSZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FEP Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is higher than the FSZ Sharpe Ratio of 0.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FEP and FSZ, 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

FEP vs. FSZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FEP drawdown since its inception was -46.05%, which is greater than FSZ's maximum drawdown of -33.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FEP and FSZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	FEP	FSZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.05%	-33.97%	-12.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.13%	-10.39%	-1.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.83%	-13.93%	-1.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.99%	-33.96%	-5.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.05%	-33.97%	-12.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.14%	-3.56%	+3.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.92%	-6.96%	-4.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.24%	3.89%	-0.65%

Volatility

FEP vs. FSZ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund (FEP) is 3.97%, while First Trust Switzerland AlphaDEX Fund (FSZ) has a volatility of 5.15%. This indicates that FEP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FSZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FEP	FSZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.97%	5.15%	-1.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.75%	11.59%	+3.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.97%	14.58%	+2.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.67%	19.42%	+0.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.19%	18.71%	+1.48%

FEP vs. FSZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both FEP and FSZ have an expense ratio of 0.80%.

Dividends

FEP vs. FSZ - Dividend Comparison

FEP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.71%, more than FSZ's 2.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FEP First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund	2.71%	3.33%	4.94%	3.27%	3.00%	3.49%	2.32%	2.63%	2.62%	1.65%	2.14%	2.20%
FSZ First Trust Switzerland AlphaDEX Fund	2.00%	1.80%	1.80%	2.11%	3.50%	1.62%	1.53%	2.01%	2.29%	1.49%	1.93%	1.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FEP and FSZ in my portfolio?

FEP and FSZ 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.

Which is riskier, FEP or FSZ?

FSZ has higher volatility (5.15%) compared to FEP (3.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FEP dropped -46.05% vs FSZ's -33.97%.

Which ETF is better, FEP or FSZ?

On 10-year performance, FEP leads with 10.76% vs 9.81% for FSZ. Both ETFs have the same 0.80% expense ratio. On volatility, FEP has been the lower-risk option at 3.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FEP or FSZ?

Over the 10-year period, FEP has performed better with a 10.76% return vs 9.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FEP or FSZ?

FEP and FSZ have the same expense ratio: 0.80% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FEP or FSZ?

FEP has the higher dividend yield at 2.71%, compared with 2.00% for FSZ.

What is the main difference between FEP and FSZ?

FEP tracks Defined Europe Index, while FSZ tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Switzerland Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FEP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.63 vs 0.56), 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.