FPA vs. FDTS

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

FPA (First Trust Asia Pacific ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund) and FDTS (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FPA is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Asia Pacific Ex-Japan Index, 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 10 years, FPA returned 11.11%/yr vs 10.96%/yr for FDTS. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.80% expense ratio.

Performance

FPA vs. FDTS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Asia Pacific ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund (FPA) 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, FPA achieves a 47.02% return, which is significantly higher than FDTS's 18.78% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FPA having a 11.11% annualized return and FDTS not far behind at 10.96%.

FPA

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 3.70%
• YTD: 47.02%
• 6M: 47.32%
• 1Y: 65.35%
• 3Y*: 29.68%
• 5Y*: 12.60%
• 10Y*: 11.11%

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)

FPA vs. FDTS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FPA First Trust Asia Pacific ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund	47.02%	43.16%	3.95%	9.97%	-14.55%	2.98%	13.43%	8.91%	-21.91%	35.81%
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%	36.01%

Correlation

The correlation between FPA and FDTS is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 16, 2012	0.47

Over the past year, FPA and FDTS have become more correlated (0.76) than their long-term average of 0.47, meaning their price movements have been converging.

FPA vs. FDTS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FPA	FDTS
Industrials	32.7%	22.2%
Technology	25.2%	14.1%
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	18.9%
Financial Services	8.6%	11.9%
Real Estate	6.2%	4.3%
Energy	5.4%	4.0%
Utilities	5.1%	2.7%
Basic Materials	4.2%	11.3%
Consumer Defensive	2.7%	4.7%
Communication Services	2.6%	3.2%
Healthcare	0.8%	2.8%

Return for Risk

FPA vs. FDTS — Risk / Return Rank

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

FPA

FPA Risk / Return Rank: 83
FPA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
FPA Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
FPA Omega Ratio Rank: 81
FPA Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
FPA Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

FPA vs. FDTS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Asia Pacific ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund (FPA) 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.

	FPA	FDTS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.41	2.37	+0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.02	3.15	-0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.42	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.32	3.43	+0.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.88	11.78	+3.10

FPA vs. FDTS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FPA Sharpe Ratio is 2.41, which is comparable to the FDTS Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FPA 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

FPA vs. FDTS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FPA drawdown since its inception was -52.91%, roughly equal to the maximum FDTS drawdown of -51.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FPA and FDTS.

Drawdown Indicators

	FPA	FDTS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.91%	-51.26%	-1.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.37%	-12.61%	-2.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.66%	-13.19%	-7.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.54%	-33.11%	-1.43%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-52.91%	-51.26%	-1.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.94%	-4.77%	-2.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.47%	-10.64%	-2.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.46%	3.66%	+0.80%

Volatility

FPA vs. FDTS - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Asia Pacific ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund (FPA) has a higher volatility of 14.55% compared to First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS) at 8.44%. This indicates that FPA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FDTS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FPA	FDTS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.55%	8.44%	+6.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.45%	15.54%	+8.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.61%	18.27%	+9.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.43%	29.42%	-4.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.63%	24.92%	-2.29%

FPA vs. FDTS - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both FPA and FDTS have an expense ratio of 0.80%.

Dividends

FPA vs. FDTS - Dividend Comparison

FPA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.63%, more 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%
FPA First Trust Asia Pacific ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund	3.63%	4.71%	3.40%	3.02%	4.22%	5.12%	1.59%	3.90%	2.81%	3.15%	2.42%	1.74%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FPA and FDTS in my portfolio?

FPA and FDTS have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FPA or FDTS?

FPA has higher volatility (14.55%) compared to FDTS (8.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FPA dropped -52.91% vs FDTS's -51.26%.

Which ETF is better, FPA or FDTS?

On 10-year performance, FPA leads with 11.11% vs 10.96% for FDTS. Both ETFs have the same 0.80% expense ratio. On volatility, FDTS has been the lower-risk option at 8.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FPA or FDTS?

Over the 10-year period, FPA has performed better with a 11.11% return vs 10.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FPA or FDTS?

FPA and FDTS have the same expense ratio: 0.80% per year.

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

FPA has the higher dividend yield at 3.63%, compared with 2.53% for FDTS.

What is the main difference between FPA and FDTS?

FPA is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while FDTS is Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities. FPA tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Asia Pacific Ex-Japan Index, while FDTS tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Small Cap Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FPA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 2.37), 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.