FLEU vs. FDTS

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

FLEU (Franklin FTSE Eurozone ETF) and FDTS (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FLEU is a Europe Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed Eurozone Index - Benchmark TR Net, while FDTS is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Small Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FLEU returned 12.00%/yr vs 10.78%/yr for FDTS. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FLEU charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FDTS.

Performance

FLEU vs. FDTS - 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 Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FLEU achieves a 8.48% return, which is significantly lower than FDTS's 18.78% return.

FLEU

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 6.06%
• YTD: 8.48%
• 6M: 10.20%
• 1Y: 21.67%
• 3Y*: 17.22%
• 5Y*: 12.00%
• 10Y*: —

FDTS

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: -2.15%
• YTD: 18.78%
• 6M: 20.77%
• 1Y: 44.72%
• 3Y*: 24.70%
• 5Y*: 10.78%
• 10Y*: 10.96%

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

FLEU vs. FDTS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FLEU Franklin FTSE Eurozone ETF	8.48%	41.56%	2.26%	16.21%	-9.14%	23.27%	0.95%	26.94%	-8.54%	-1.24%
FDTS First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund	18.78%	51.17%	2.44%	10.96%	-15.34%	11.79%	12.90%	18.71%	-23.71%	4.88%

Correlation

The correlation between FLEU and FDTS is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2017	0.49

Over the past year, FLEU and FDTS have become more correlated (0.74) than their long-term average of 0.49, meaning their price movements have been converging.

FLEU vs. FDTS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FLEU	FDTS
Financial Services	24.6%	11.9%
Industrials	20.7%	22.2%
Technology	16.3%	14.1%
Consumer Cyclical	8.6%	18.9%
Utilities	6.6%	2.7%
Healthcare	5.6%	2.8%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	4.7%
Basic Materials	4.2%	11.3%
Energy	3.7%	4.0%
Communication Services	3.6%	3.2%
Real Estate	1.2%	4.3%

Return for Risk

FLEU vs. FDTS — Risk / Return Rank

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

FLEU

FLEU Risk / Return Rank: 36
FLEU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
FLEU Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
FLEU Omega Ratio Rank: 35
FLEU Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
FLEU Martin Ratio Rank: 39

FDTS

FDTS Risk / Return Rank: 79
FDTS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
FDTS Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
FDTS Omega Ratio Rank: 81
FDTS Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
FDTS Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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. FDTS - 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 Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS). 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.

	FLEU	FDTS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.13	2.37	-1.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.69	3.15	-1.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.42	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.49	3.43	-1.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.38	11.78	-6.39

FLEU vs. FDTS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLEU Sharpe Ratio is 1.13, which is lower than the FDTS Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLEU and FDTS, 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

FLEU vs. FDTS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLEU drawdown since its inception was -33.94%, smaller than the maximum FDTS drawdown of -51.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLEU and FDTS.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLEU	FDTS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.94%	-51.26%	+17.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.41%	-12.61%	-0.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.67%	-13.19%	-2.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.67%	-33.11%	+14.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-51.26%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-4.77%	+4.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.70%	-10.64%	+5.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.70%	3.66%	+0.04%

Volatility

FLEU vs. FDTS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Franklin FTSE Eurozone ETF (FLEU) is 6.04%, while First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS) has a volatility of 8.44%. This indicates that FLEU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FDTS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FLEU	FDTS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.04%	8.44%	-2.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.01%	15.54%	-0.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.59%	18.27%	-0.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.45%	29.42%	-12.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.29%	24.92%	-6.63%

FLEU vs. FDTS - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

FLEU vs. FDTS - Dividend Comparison

FLEU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.05%, less than FDTS's 2.53% 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	2.53%	2.94%	3.94%	2.90%	3.71%	3.01%	2.02%	2.30%	1.96%	2.08%	1.78%	1.73%
FLEU Franklin FTSE Eurozone ETF	2.05%	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 FDTS in my portfolio?

FLEU and FDTS have a correlation of 0.74, 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 FDTS?

FDTS has higher volatility (8.44%) compared to FLEU (6.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLEU dropped -33.94% vs FDTS's -51.26%.

Which ETF is better, FLEU or FDTS?

On 5-year performance, FLEU leads with 12.00% vs 10.78% for FDTS. On fees, FLEU is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, FLEU has been the lower-risk option at 6.04%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLEU or FDTS?

Over the 5-year period, FLEU has performed better with a 12.00% return vs 10.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLEU or FDTS?

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

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

FDTS has the higher dividend yield at 2.53%, compared with 2.05% for FLEU.

What is the main difference between FLEU and FDTS?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDTS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 1.13), 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.