FLEU vs. FDT

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

FLEU (Franklin FTSE Eurozone ETF) and FDT (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FLEU is a Europe Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed Eurozone Index - Benchmark TR Net, while FDT is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FLEU returned 11.54%/yr vs 11.81%/yr for FDT. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FLEU charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FDT.

Performance

FLEU vs. FDT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin FTSE Eurozone ETF (FLEU) and First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FLEU achieves a 5.56% return, which is significantly lower than FDT's 20.41% return.

FLEU

• 1D: 0.64%
• 1M: 0.13%
• YTD: 5.56%
• 6M: 8.38%
• 1Y: 16.68%
• 3Y*: 16.55%
• 5Y*: 11.54%
• 10Y*: —

FDT

• 1D: 1.18%
• 1M: -3.96%
• YTD: 20.41%
• 6M: 22.67%
• 1Y: 47.32%
• 3Y*: 27.66%
• 5Y*: 11.81%
• 10Y*: 10.61%

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

FLEU vs. FDT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FLEU Franklin FTSE Eurozone ETF	5.56%	41.56%	2.26%	16.21%	-9.14%	23.27%	0.95%	26.94%	-8.54%	-1.24%
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	20.41%	52.21%	6.97%	15.03%	-19.51%	11.43%	4.29%	16.82%	-19.98%	2.79%

Correlation

The correlation between FLEU and FDT is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 7, 2017	0.70

The correlation between FLEU and FDT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

FLEU vs. FDT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FLEU	FDT
Financial Services	24.8%	10.2%
Industrials	21.0%	34.0%
Technology	14.7%	8.1%
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	11.5%
Utilities	7.1%	5.2%
Healthcare	5.8%	1.4%
Consumer Defensive	5.2%	2.8%
Basic Materials	4.3%	9.6%
Energy	4.0%	9.2%
Communication Services	3.6%	2.7%
Real Estate	1.2%	5.3%

Return for Risk

FLEU vs. FDT — Risk / Return Rank

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

FLEU

FLEU Risk / Return Rank: 30
FLEU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
FLEU Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
FLEU Omega Ratio Rank: 30
FLEU Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
FLEU Martin Ratio Rank: 33

FDT

FDT Risk / Return Rank: 80
FDT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
FDT Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
FDT Omega Ratio Rank: 83
FDT Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
FDT Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

FLEU vs. FDT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin FTSE Eurozone ETF (FLEU) and First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT). 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.

	FLEU	FDT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.97	2.49	-1.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.47	3.18	-1.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.45	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.25	3.55	-2.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.53	13.67	-9.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FLEU vs. FDT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLEU Sharpe Ratio is 0.97, which is lower than the FDT Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLEU and FDT, 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

	FLEU	FDT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97	2.49	-1.52
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	0.65	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.57	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.38	+0.18

Drawdowns

FLEU vs. FDT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLEU drawdown since its inception was -33.94%, smaller than the maximum FDT drawdown of -46.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLEU and FDT.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLEU	FDT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.94%	-46.10%	+12.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.41%	-13.41%	0.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.67%	-14.29%	-1.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.67%	-33.04%	+14.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-46.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.16%	-5.58%	+3.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.70%	-10.77%	+6.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.69%	3.47%	+0.22%

Volatility

FLEU vs. FDT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Franklin FTSE Eurozone ETF (FLEU) is 5.04%, while First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) has a volatility of 8.24%. This indicates that FLEU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FDT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FLEU	FDT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.04%	8.24%	-3.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.58%	16.73%	-2.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.22%	19.12%	-1.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.37%	18.36%	-1.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.26%	18.59%	-0.33%

FLEU vs. FDT - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLEU has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than FDT's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

FLEU vs. FDT - Dividend Comparison

FLEU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.10%, less than FDT's 2.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	2.96%	3.27%	3.89%	4.36%	2.29%	3.80%	2.42%	2.78%	2.13%	1.57%	1.76%	1.83%
FLEU Franklin FTSE Eurozone ETF	2.10%	2.22%	3.18%	3.25%	21.45%	3.03%	1.94%	6.06%	12.17%	0.07%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FLEU and FDT in my portfolio?

FLEU and FDT have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FLEU or FDT?

FDT has higher volatility (8.24%) compared to FLEU (5.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLEU dropped -33.94% vs FDT's -46.10%.

Which ETF is better, FLEU or FDT?

On 5-year performance, FDT leads with 11.81% vs 11.54% for FLEU. On fees, FLEU is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, FLEU has been the lower-risk option at 5.04%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLEU or FDT?

Over the 5-year period, FDT has performed better with a 11.81% return vs 11.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLEU or FDT?

FLEU is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FLEU or FDT?

FDT has the higher dividend yield at 2.96%, compared with 2.10% for FLEU.

What is the main difference between FLEU and FDT?

FLEU is categorized as Europe Equities, while FDT is Foreign Large Cap Equities. FLEU tracks FTSE Developed Eurozone Index - Benchmark TR Net, while FDT tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index. They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for FLEU and 0.80% for FDT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 0.97), 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.