FXL vs. IDV

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FXL (First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund) and IDV (iShares International Select Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FXL is a Technology Equities fund tracking the StrataQuant Technology Index, while IDV is a Global Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones EPAC Select Dividend. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FXL returned 19.60%/yr vs 10.53%/yr for IDV. Their 0.59 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FXL charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for IDV.

Performance

FXL vs. IDV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) and iShares International Select Dividend ETF (IDV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FXL achieves a 18.85% return, which is significantly higher than IDV's 15.90% return. Over the past 10 years, FXL has outperformed IDV with an annualized return of 19.60%, while IDV has yielded a comparatively lower 10.53% annualized return.

FXL

• 1D: 1.36%
• 1M: -2.51%
• 6M: 17.90%
• YTD: 18.85%
• 1Y: 27.83%
• 3Y*: 18.89%
• 5Y*: 9.99%
• 10Y*: 19.60%
• ALL TIME*: 13.00%

IDV

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 6.15%
• 6M: 9.57%
• YTD: 15.90%
• 1Y: 34.55%
• 3Y*: 25.16%
• 5Y*: 13.47%
• 10Y*: 10.53%
• ALL TIME*: 4.99%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FXL First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund	$26.02M	$18.35M	$33.60M
IDV iShares International Select Dividend ETF	$33.59M	$34.80M	$40.44M

FXL vs. IDV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FXL First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund	18.85%	13.29%	16.13%	40.50%	-30.44%	18.20%	54.20%	38.66%	2.72%	35.82%
IDV iShares International Select Dividend ETF	15.90%	52.16%	4.00%	10.32%	-6.40%	12.00%	-5.94%	23.56%	-10.37%	19.74%

Correlation

The correlation between FXL and IDV is 0.38, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.38
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.39
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.49
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 21, 2007	0.59

Over the past year, the correlation between FXL and IDV has dropped to 0.38 - well below their long-term average of 0.59, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FXL vs. IDV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FXL	IDV
Technology	90.1%	0.8%
Communication Services	5.0%	9.5%
Industrials	3.6%	6.4%
Consumer Cyclical	0.9%	8.6%
Financial Services	0.4%	33.3%
Basic Materials	-	5.7%
Consumer Defensive	-	7.6%
Energy	-	13.9%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	2.0%
Utilities	-	12.1%

Return for Risk

FXL vs. IDV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FXL

FXL Risk / Return Rank: 40
FXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
FXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
FXL Omega Ratio Rank: 36
FXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
FXL Martin Ratio Rank: 43

IDV

IDV Risk / Return Rank: 92
IDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
IDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
IDV Omega Ratio Rank: 93
IDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
IDV Martin Ratio Rank: 87

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FXL vs. IDV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) and iShares International Select Dividend ETF (IDV). 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.

	FXL	IDV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.97	2.66	-1.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.43	3.54	-2.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.49	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.64	4.08	-2.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.70	12.66	-7.96

FXL vs. IDV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXL Sharpe Ratio is 0.97, which is lower than the IDV Sharpe Ratio of 2.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXL and IDV, 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

FXL vs. IDV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXL drawdown since its inception was -61.41%, smaller than the maximum IDV drawdown of -70.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXL and IDV.

Drawdown Indicators

	FXL	IDV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.41%	-70.14%	+8.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.21%	-8.52%	-6.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.27%	-11.86%	-16.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.49%	-29.19%	-9.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.49%	-42.50%	+4.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.74%	-0.12%	-10.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.34%	-15.30%	+3.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.30%	2.74%	+2.56%

Volatility

FXL vs. IDV - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) has a higher volatility of 8.61% compared to iShares International Select Dividend ETF (IDV) at 3.07%. This indicates that FXL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IDV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FXL	IDV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.61%	3.07%	+5.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.24%	11.07%	+10.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.76%	13.07%	+12.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.76%	15.53%	+10.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.52%	17.62%	+7.90%

FXL vs. IDV - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXL has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is higher than IDV's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

FXL vs. IDV - Dividend Comparison

FXL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IDV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.13%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FXL First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund	0.00%	0.01%	0.11%	0.41%	0.34%	0.11%	0.04%	0.37%	0.32%	0.27%	1.12%	0.36%
IDV iShares International Select Dividend ETF	5.13%	4.94%	6.46%	6.51%	7.33%	5.78%	5.47%	5.15%	5.93%	4.52%	4.69%	5.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FXL and IDV in my portfolio?

FXL and IDV have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FXL or IDV?

FXL has higher volatility (8.61%) compared to IDV (3.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXL dropped -61.41% vs IDV's -70.14%.

Which ETF is better, FXL or IDV?

On 10-year performance, FXL leads with 19.60% vs 10.53% for IDV. On fees, IDV is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, IDV has been the lower-risk option at 3.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FXL or IDV?

Over the 10-year period, FXL has performed better with a 19.60% return vs 10.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FXL or IDV?

IDV is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.61% for FXL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FXL or IDV?

IDV has the higher dividend yield at 5.13%, compared with 0.00% for FXL.

What is the main difference between FXL and IDV?

FXL is categorized as Technology Equities, while IDV is Global Equities. FXL tracks StrataQuant Technology Index, while IDV tracks Dow Jones EPAC Select Dividend. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.61% for FXL and 0.49% for IDV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IDV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.66 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.