PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
FGD vs. FGM
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FGD vs. FGM

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

FGD (First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund) and FGM (First Trust Germany AlphaDEX Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FGD is a Global Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index, while FGM is a Europe Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Germany Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FGD returned 10.39%/yr vs 8.76%/yr for FGM. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FGD charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FGM.

Performance

FGD vs. FGM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) and First Trust Germany AlphaDEX Fund (FGM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FGD achieves a 12.92% return, which is significantly higher than FGM's 3.19% return. Over the past 10 years, FGD has outperformed FGM with an annualized return of 10.39%, while FGM has yielded a comparatively lower 8.76% annualized return.

FGD

1D
0.35%
1M
1.25%
YTD
12.92%
6M
13.97%
1Y
32.81%
3Y*
22.51%
5Y*
10.83%
10Y*
10.39%

FGM

1D
1.21%
1M
-2.19%
YTD
3.19%
6M
4.60%
1Y
18.86%
3Y*
20.38%
5Y*
4.13%
10Y*
8.76%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FGD vs. FGM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FGD
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund		12.92%44.42%5.71%8.20%-7.25%20.83%-5.23%20.64%-12.49%17.87%
FGM
First Trust Germany AlphaDEX Fund		3.19%63.60%1.36%13.28%-30.46%6.10%17.26%20.77%-25.14%44.28%

Correlation

The correlation between FGD and FGM is 0.72, 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

0.72

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.73

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.70

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.71

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 17, 2012

0.70

The correlation between FGD and FGM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

FGD vs. FGM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FGD
FGM

Financial Services

33.6%
8.2%

Industrials

14.3%
40.5%

Energy

10.0%

-

Communication Services

9.3%
3.2%

Consumer Defensive

9.2%
2.2%

Consumer Cyclical

8.8%
16.6%

Basic Materials

6.4%
9.0%

Utilities

4.9%
3.2%

Real Estate

2.4%
10.8%

Technology

1.2%

-

Healthcare

-

6.4%

Financial Services

FGD
33.6%
FGM
8.2%

Industrials

FGD
14.3%
FGM
40.5%

Energy

FGD
10.0%
FGM

-

Communication Services

FGD
9.3%
FGM
3.2%

Consumer Defensive

FGD
9.2%
FGM
2.2%

Consumer Cyclical

FGD
8.8%
FGM
16.6%

Basic Materials

FGD
6.4%
FGM
9.0%

Utilities

FGD
4.9%
FGM
3.2%

Real Estate

FGD
2.4%
FGM
10.8%

Technology

FGD
1.2%
FGM

-

Healthcare

FGD

-

FGM
6.4%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund

First Trust Germany AlphaDEX Fund

Often compared with FGD:
FGD vs. VYMIFGD vs. IDVFGD vs. SCHDFGD vs. DIVFGD vs. SPYDFGD vs. HYGFGD vs. SJNK
Often compared with FGM:
FGM vs. EWGFGM vs. FEUZFGM vs. DAXFGM vs. FLGRFGM vs. EXS1.DEFGM vs. KBWPFGM vs. SHLD

Return for Risk

FGD vs. FGM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FGD
FGD Risk / Return Rank: 8080
Overall Rank
FGD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8787
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FGD Sortino Ratio Rank: 8686
Sortino Ratio Rank
FGD Omega Ratio Rank: 8585
Omega Ratio Rank
FGD Calmar Ratio Rank: 7373
Calmar Ratio Rank
FGD Martin Ratio Rank: 7070
Martin Ratio Rank
FGM
FGM Risk / Return Rank: 2525
Overall Rank
FGM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2626
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FGM Sortino Ratio Rank: 2626
Sortino Ratio Rank
FGM Omega Ratio Rank: 2525
Omega Ratio Rank
FGM Calmar Ratio Rank: 2424
Calmar Ratio Rank
FGM Martin Ratio Rank: 2525
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

FGD vs. FGM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) and First Trust Germany AlphaDEX Fund (FGM). 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.

FGDFGMDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.48
0.84

+1.64

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.37
1.28

+2.09

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.45

1.16

+0.29

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.23

0.98

+2.24

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.28

3.01

+8.27

FGD vs. FGM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FGD Sharpe Ratio is 2.48, which is higher than the FGM Sharpe Ratio of 0.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FGD and FGM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

FGD vs. FGM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FGD drawdown since its inception was -68.05%, which is greater than FGM's maximum drawdown of -51.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FGD and FGM.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

FGDFGMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-68.05%

-51.58%

-16.47%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.82%

-17.76%

+7.94%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-11.50%

-17.93%

+6.43%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-28.68%

-50.22%

+21.54%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-44.84%

-51.58%

+6.74%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.44%

-8.26%

+7.82%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-12.55%

-14.72%

+2.17%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.81%

5.81%

-3.00%

Volatility

FGD vs. FGM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) is 3.57%, while First Trust Germany AlphaDEX Fund (FGM) has a volatility of 6.75%. This indicates that FGD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FGM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

FGDFGMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.57%

6.75%

-3.18%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.98%

17.55%

-7.57%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.81%

20.94%

-8.13%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.95%

24.54%

-9.59%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.21%

23.11%

-4.90%

FGD vs. FGM - Expense Ratio Comparison

FGD has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than FGM's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

FGD vs. FGM - Dividend Comparison

FGD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.01%, more than FGM's 0.64% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FGD
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund		5.01%5.62%5.87%6.44%5.74%5.35%6.17%5.19%5.88%4.01%4.36%5.07%
FGM
First Trust Germany AlphaDEX Fund		0.64%0.66%2.56%2.82%5.44%1.43%1.33%2.30%2.18%2.11%1.33%1.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

FGD and FGM have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

FGM has higher volatility (6.75%) compared to FGD (3.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FGD dropped -68.05% vs FGM's -51.58%.

On 10-year performance, FGD leads with 10.39% vs 8.76% for FGM. On fees, FGD is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, FGD has been the lower-risk option at 3.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, FGD has performed better with a 10.39% return vs 8.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

FGD is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FGM.

FGD has the higher dividend yield at 5.01%, compared with 0.64% for FGM.

FGD is categorized as Global Equities, while FGM is Europe Equities. FGD tracks Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index, while FGM tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Germany Index. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for FGD and 0.80% for FGM.

FGD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 0.84), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for FGD and FGM

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer