FPA vs. FLAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FPA (First Trust Asia Pacific ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund) and FLAX (Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF) are both Asia Pacific Equities funds - FPA tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Asia Pacific Ex-Japan Index while FLAX tracks the FTSE Asia ex Japan RIC Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FPA returned 12.24%/yr vs 7.35%/yr for FLAX. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FPA charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for FLAX.

Performance

FPA vs. FLAX - 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 Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF (FLAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FPA achieves a 43.37% return, which is significantly higher than FLAX's 24.30% return.

FPA

• 1D: -6.12%
• 1M: -0.38%
• YTD: 43.37%
• 6M: 43.73%
• 1Y: 57.04%
• 3Y*: 30.61%
• 5Y*: 12.24%
• 10Y*: 10.87%

FLAX

• 1D: -5.68%
• 1M: 2.36%
• YTD: 24.30%
• 6M: 25.58%
• 1Y: 48.51%
• 3Y*: 23.90%
• 5Y*: 7.35%
• 10Y*: —

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

FPA vs. FLAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FPA First Trust Asia Pacific ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund	43.37%	43.16%	3.95%	9.97%	-14.55%	2.98%	13.43%	8.91%	-20.10%
FLAX Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF	24.30%	33.72%	9.82%	6.27%	-18.88%	-3.54%	24.17%	17.19%	-14.34%

Correlation

The correlation between FPA and FLAX is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2018	0.64

The correlation between FPA and FLAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (5 years) to 0.75 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FPA vs. FLAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FPA	FLAX
Industrials	32.7%	8.2%
Technology	25.2%	46.4%
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	9.1%
Financial Services	8.6%	15.6%
Real Estate	6.2%	1.8%
Energy	5.4%	2.5%
Utilities	5.1%	1.9%
Basic Materials	4.2%	3.6%
Consumer Defensive	2.7%	2.4%
Communication Services	2.6%	5.6%
Healthcare	0.8%	2.9%

Return for Risk

FPA vs. FLAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FPA

FPA Risk / Return Rank: 68
FPA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
FPA Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
FPA Omega Ratio Rank: 64
FPA Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
FPA Martin Ratio Rank: 73

FLAX

FLAX Risk / Return Rank: 75
FLAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
FLAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
FLAX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
FLAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
FLAX 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.

FPA vs. FLAX - 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 Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF (FLAX). 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	FLAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.99	2.21	-0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.58	2.83	-0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.43	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.73	3.75	-0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.70	13.91	-1.21

FPA vs. FLAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FPA Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is comparable to the FLAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FPA and FLAX, 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. FLAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FPA drawdown since its inception was -52.91%, which is greater than FLAX's maximum drawdown of -42.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FPA and FLAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FPA	FLAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.91%	-42.51%	-10.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.37%	-12.99%	-2.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.66%	-19.29%	-1.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.38%	-38.64%	+4.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-52.91%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.25%	-5.68%	-3.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.46%	-15.34%	+1.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.50%	3.50%	+1.00%

Volatility

FPA vs. FLAX - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Asia Pacific ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund (FPA) has a higher volatility of 16.46% compared to Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF (FLAX) at 12.58%. This indicates that FPA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FLAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FPA	FLAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.46%	12.58%	+3.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.05%	19.97%	+6.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.94%	22.02%	+6.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.79%	19.66%	+5.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.76%	20.26%	+2.50%

FPA vs. FLAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FPA has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than FLAX's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

FPA vs. FLAX - Dividend Comparison

FPA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.72%, more than FLAX's 1.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FLAX Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF	1.46%	2.37%	3.12%	2.20%	2.86%	2.38%	1.57%	2.23%	2.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FPA First Trust Asia Pacific ex-Japan AlphaDEX Fund	3.72%	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 FLAX in my portfolio?

FPA and FLAX have a correlation of 0.75, 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 FLAX?

FPA has higher volatility (16.46%) compared to FLAX (12.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FPA dropped -52.91% vs FLAX's -42.51%.

Which ETF is better, FPA or FLAX?

On 5-year performance, FPA leads with 12.24% vs 7.35% for FLAX. On fees, FLAX is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, FLAX has been the lower-risk option at 12.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FPA or FLAX?

Over the 5-year period, FPA has performed better with a 12.24% return vs 7.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FPA or FLAX?

FLAX is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FPA.

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

FPA has the higher dividend yield at 3.72%, compared with 1.46% for FLAX.

What is the main difference between FPA and FLAX?

FPA tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Asia Pacific Ex-Japan Index, while FLAX tracks FTSE Asia ex Japan RIC Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Franklin Templeton. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for FPA and 0.19% for FLAX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FLAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 1.99), 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.