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FLN vs. ILF
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FLN vs. ILF

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FLN (First Trust Latin America AlphaDEX Fund) and ILF (iShares Latin American 40 ETF) are both Latin America Equities funds - FLN tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Latin America Index while ILF tracks the S&P Latin America 40 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FLN returned 9.42%/yr vs 8.34%/yr for ILF. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FLN charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.48%/yr for ILF.

Performance

FLN vs. ILF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Latin America AlphaDEX Fund (FLN) and iShares Latin American 40 ETF (ILF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FLN achieves a 10.73% return, which is significantly lower than ILF's 11.49% return. Over the past 10 years, FLN has outperformed ILF with an annualized return of 9.42%, while ILF has yielded a comparatively lower 8.34% annualized return.

FLN

1D
-0.88%
1M
-3.24%
YTD
10.73%
6M
11.01%
1Y
33.80%
3Y*
13.56%
5Y*
8.70%
10Y*
9.42%

ILF

1D
-1.38%
1M
-2.81%
YTD
11.49%
6M
10.99%
1Y
38.85%
3Y*
12.99%
5Y*
8.24%
10Y*
8.34%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FLN vs. ILF - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FLN
First Trust Latin America AlphaDEX Fund		10.73%55.05%-23.10%29.68%2.73%-6.94%-12.27%27.22%-8.31%21.54%
ILF
iShares Latin American 40 ETF		11.49%52.65%-23.11%33.14%9.81%-13.59%-11.71%13.77%-6.85%26.33%

Correlation

The correlation between FLN and ILF is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.90

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

0.85

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

0.85

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

0.85

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 20, 2011

0.77

The correlation between FLN and ILF shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (all time) to 0.90 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FLN vs. ILF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FLN
ILF

Financial Services

23.6%
33.3%

Utilities

16.2%
4.4%

Basic Materials

12.9%
24.0%

Industrials

12.5%
9.3%

Energy

9.4%
12.0%

Consumer Defensive

7.8%
9.5%

Communication Services

6.6%
4.4%

Consumer Cyclical

5.4%
1.3%

Real Estate

5.1%
0.8%

Technology

2.1%

-

Healthcare

0.6%
1.1%

Financial Services

FLN
23.6%
ILF
33.3%

Utilities

FLN
16.2%
ILF
4.4%

Basic Materials

FLN
12.9%
ILF
24.0%

Industrials

FLN
12.5%
ILF
9.3%

Energy

FLN
9.4%
ILF
12.0%

Consumer Defensive

FLN
7.8%
ILF
9.5%

Communication Services

FLN
6.6%
ILF
4.4%

Consumer Cyclical

FLN
5.4%
ILF
1.3%

Real Estate

FLN
5.1%
ILF
0.8%

Technology

FLN
2.1%
ILF

-

Healthcare

FLN
0.6%
ILF
1.1%

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 Latin America AlphaDEX Fund

iShares Latin American 40 ETF

Often compared with FLN:
FLN vs. BRFFLN vs. FLLAFLN vs. BRAZFLN vs. EWZFLN vs. CHILXFLN vs. VOOFLN vs. flla
Often compared with ILF:
ILF vs. EWZILF vs. FLLAILF vs. EWWILF vs. FLBRILF vs. EPUILF vs. VOOILF vs. VOOG

Return for Risk

FLN vs. ILF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FLN
FLN Risk / Return Rank: 4949
Overall Rank
FLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4949
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 4646
Sortino Ratio Rank
FLN Omega Ratio Rank: 4646
Omega Ratio Rank
FLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 5656
Calmar Ratio Rank
FLN Martin Ratio Rank: 4646
Martin Ratio Rank
ILF
ILF Risk / Return Rank: 5252
Overall Rank
ILF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5454
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ILF Sortino Ratio Rank: 5050
Sortino Ratio Rank
ILF Omega Ratio Rank: 4949
Omega Ratio Rank
ILF Calmar Ratio Rank: 5959
Calmar Ratio Rank
ILF Martin Ratio Rank: 5050
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.

FLN vs. ILF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Latin America AlphaDEX Fund (FLN) and iShares Latin American 40 ETF (ILF). 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.

FLNILFDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.59
1.75

-0.16

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.16
2.36

-0.20

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.28

1.30

-0.02

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.59

2.80

-0.21

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.24

8.13

-0.89

FLN vs. ILF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLN Sharpe Ratio is 1.59, which is comparable to the ILF Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLN and ILF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

FLN vs. ILF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLN drawdown since its inception was -57.95%, smaller than the maximum ILF drawdown of -67.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLN and ILF.

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Drawdown Indicators

FLNILFDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-57.95%

-67.48%

+9.53%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-13.10%

-13.94%

+0.84%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-25.23%

-23.97%

-1.26%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.95%

-29.71%

+3.76%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-57.75%

-57.79%

+0.04%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-10.75%

-10.90%

+0.15%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-18.87%

-23.91%

+5.04%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.68%

4.79%

-0.11%

Volatility

FLN vs. ILF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Latin America AlphaDEX Fund (FLN) is 5.58%, while iShares Latin American 40 ETF (ILF) has a volatility of 6.53%. This indicates that FLN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ILF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

FLNILFDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.58%

6.53%

-0.95%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

17.90%

18.37%

-0.47%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

21.31%

22.26%

-0.95%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

22.65%

23.29%

-0.64%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

27.57%

28.35%

-0.78%

FLN vs. ILF - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLN has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than ILF's 0.48% expense ratio.

Dividends

FLN vs. ILF - Dividend Comparison

FLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.62%, more than ILF's 3.52% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FLN
First Trust Latin America AlphaDEX Fund		3.62%3.40%6.26%4.17%5.57%4.70%1.64%1.91%3.08%10.28%1.06%2.34%
ILF
iShares Latin American 40 ETF		3.52%4.39%7.44%4.61%12.72%8.47%1.88%3.09%3.12%1.80%1.59%3.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.90, FLN and ILF move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

ILF has higher volatility (6.53%) compared to FLN (5.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLN dropped -57.95% vs ILF's -67.48%.

On 10-year performance, FLN leads with 9.42% vs 8.34% for ILF. On fees, ILF is cheaper at 0.48% per year. On volatility, FLN has been the lower-risk option at 5.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, FLN has performed better with a 9.42% return vs 8.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

ILF is cheaper with a 0.48% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FLN.

FLN has the higher dividend yield at 3.62%, compared with 3.52% for ILF.

FLN tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Latin America Index, while ILF tracks S&P Latin America 40 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for FLN and 0.48% for ILF.

ILF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs 1.59), 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.

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