FEP vs. LVHI

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FEP (First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund) and LVHI (Legg Mason International Low Volatility High Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FEP is a Europe Equities fund tracking the Defined Europe Index, while LVHI is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund tracking the QS International Low Volatility High Dividend Hedged Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FEP returned 9.81%/yr vs 15.87%/yr for LVHI. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FEP charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for LVHI.

Performance

FEP vs. LVHI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund (FEP) and Legg Mason International Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FEP achieves a 11.01% return, which is significantly lower than LVHI's 11.90% return.

FEP

• 1D: 0.44%
• 1M: 2.53%
• YTD: 11.01%
• 6M: 16.91%
• 1Y: 30.38%
• 3Y*: 25.14%
• 5Y*: 9.81%
• 10Y*: 10.37%

LVHI

• 1D: 0.74%
• 1M: 0.47%
• YTD: 11.90%
• 6M: 14.14%
• 1Y: 29.94%
• 3Y*: 20.98%
• 5Y*: 15.87%
• 10Y*: —

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

FEP vs. LVHI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FEP First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund	11.01%	55.72%	3.38%	16.85%	-22.97%	17.03%	4.12%	24.83%	-19.00%	36.27%
LVHI Legg Mason International Low Volatility High Dividend ETF	11.90%	27.12%	14.81%	17.45%	3.84%	18.19%	-8.76%	18.35%	-5.22%	12.26%

Correlation

The correlation between FEP and LVHI is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 29, 2016	0.64

The correlation between FEP and LVHI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

FEP vs. LVHI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FEP	LVHI
Industrials	25.4%	13.4%
Basic Materials	11.3%	6.1%
Energy	11.0%	17.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.7%	5.3%
Financial Services	9.8%	23.6%
Consumer Defensive	8.1%	8.7%
Utilities	7.1%	10.4%
Real Estate	5.2%	1.9%
Healthcare	4.8%	7.4%
Communication Services	3.7%	5.8%
Technology	3.0%	0.1%

Return for Risk

FEP vs. LVHI — Risk / Return Rank

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

FEP

FEP Risk / Return Rank: 53
FEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
FEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
FEP Omega Ratio Rank: 52
FEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
FEP Martin Ratio Rank: 58

LVHI

LVHI Risk / Return Rank: 90
LVHI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
LVHI Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
LVHI Omega Ratio Rank: 91
LVHI Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
LVHI Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

FEP vs. LVHI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund (FEP) and Legg Mason International Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHI). 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.

	FEP	LVHI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.83	3.18	-1.36
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.50	4.36	-1.87
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.60	-0.27
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.68	5.01	-2.33
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.42	20.95	-10.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FEP vs. LVHI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FEP Sharpe Ratio is 1.83, which is lower than the LVHI Sharpe Ratio of 3.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FEP and LVHI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FEP	LVHI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.83	3.18	-1.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	1.44	-0.94
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	0.82	-0.48

Drawdowns

FEP vs. LVHI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FEP drawdown since its inception was -46.05%, which is greater than LVHI's maximum drawdown of -32.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FEP and LVHI.

Drawdown Indicators

	FEP	LVHI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.05%	-32.31%	-13.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.13%	-6.08%	-6.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.83%	-11.99%	-3.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.99%	-11.99%	-27.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.05%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.55%	-1.39%	+0.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.03%	-3.52%	-8.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.11%	1.45%	+1.66%

Volatility

FEP vs. LVHI - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund (FEP) has a higher volatility of 5.90% compared to Legg Mason International Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHI) at 3.30%. This indicates that FEP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LVHI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FEP	LVHI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.90%	3.30%	+2.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.92%	7.51%	+6.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.77%	9.45%	+7.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.67%	11.06%	+8.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.73%	13.76%	+6.97%

FEP vs. LVHI - Expense Ratio Comparison

FEP has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than LVHI's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

FEP vs. LVHI - Dividend Comparison

FEP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.95%, less than LVHI's 4.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FEP First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund	2.95%	3.33%	4.94%	3.27%	3.00%	3.49%	2.32%	2.63%	2.62%	1.65%	2.14%	2.20%
LVHI Legg Mason International Low Volatility High Dividend ETF	4.49%	4.92%	3.98%	8.12%	7.74%	4.13%	3.97%	6.67%	10.67%	3.38%	2.02%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FEP and LVHI in my portfolio?

FEP and LVHI have a correlation of 0.64, 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 LVHI?

FEP has higher volatility (5.90%) compared to LVHI (3.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FEP dropped -46.05% vs LVHI's -32.31%.

Which ETF is better, FEP or LVHI?

On 5-year performance, LVHI leads with 15.87% vs 9.81% for FEP. On fees, LVHI is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, LVHI has been the lower-risk option at 3.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FEP or LVHI?

Over the 5-year period, LVHI has performed better with a 15.87% 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 LVHI?

LVHI is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FEP.

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

LVHI has the higher dividend yield at 4.49%, compared with 2.95% for FEP.

What is the main difference between FEP and LVHI?

FEP is categorized as Europe Equities, while LVHI is Volatility Hedged Equity. FEP tracks Defined Europe Index, while LVHI tracks QS International Low Volatility High Dividend Hedged Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Franklin Templeton. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for FEP and 0.40% for LVHI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LVHI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.18 vs 1.83), 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.