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FXU vs. EFAS
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FXU vs. EFAS

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

FXU (First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund) and EFAS (Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FXU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the StrataQuant Utilities Index, while EFAS is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Top 50 Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FXU returned 11.71%/yr vs 12.41%/yr for EFAS. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FXU charges 0.62%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for EFAS.

Performance

FXU vs. EFAS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU) and Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF (EFAS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FXU achieves a 8.19% return, which is significantly lower than EFAS's 15.45% return.

FXU

1D
0.87%
1M
0.66%
YTD
8.19%
6M
8.80%
1Y
17.67%
3Y*
17.64%
5Y*
11.71%
10Y*
9.38%

EFAS

1D
0.16%
1M
0.53%
YTD
15.45%
6M
18.87%
1Y
29.12%
3Y*
25.18%
5Y*
12.41%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FXU vs. EFAS - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FXU
First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund		8.19%21.86%22.50%-2.12%3.68%17.67%1.53%11.67%5.43%0.98%
EFAS
Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF		15.45%46.83%3.07%14.65%-8.00%12.75%-5.42%14.60%-11.60%22.76%

Correlation

The correlation between FXU and EFAS is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.32

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

0.36

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

0.39

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2016

0.37

FXU vs. EFAS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FXU
EFAS

Utilities

92.0%
14.4%

Industrials

4.2%
9.9%

Energy

3.7%
13.7%

Basic Materials

-

1.8%

Communication Services

-

8.6%

Consumer Cyclical

-

1.9%

Consumer Defensive

-

8.1%

Financial Services

-

30.1%

Healthcare

-

0.1%

Real Estate

-

11.3%

Technology

-

0.1%

Utilities

FXU
92.0%
EFAS
14.4%

Industrials

FXU
4.2%
EFAS
9.9%

Energy

FXU
3.7%
EFAS
13.7%

Basic Materials

FXU

-

EFAS
1.8%

Communication Services

FXU

-

EFAS
8.6%

Consumer Cyclical

FXU

-

EFAS
1.9%

Consumer Defensive

FXU

-

EFAS
8.1%

Financial Services

FXU

-

EFAS
30.1%

Healthcare

FXU

-

EFAS
0.1%

Real Estate

FXU

-

EFAS
11.3%

Technology

FXU

-

EFAS
0.1%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund

Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF

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Often compared with EFAS:
EFAS vs. EFAEFAS vs. EFAVEFAS vs. FDHYEFAS vs. SDEMEFAS vs. EWJVEFAS vs. IOOEFAS vs. DVYA

Return for Risk

FXU vs. EFAS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FXU
FXU Risk / Return Rank: 3939
Overall Rank
FXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4040
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 3737
Sortino Ratio Rank
FXU Omega Ratio Rank: 3636
Omega Ratio Rank
FXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 4444
Calmar Ratio Rank
FXU Martin Ratio Rank: 3737
Martin Ratio Rank
EFAS
EFAS Risk / Return Rank: 8989
Overall Rank
EFAS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9191
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EFAS Sortino Ratio Rank: 9191
Sortino Ratio Rank
EFAS Omega Ratio Rank: 8888
Omega Ratio Rank
EFAS Calmar Ratio Rank: 9393
Calmar Ratio Rank
EFAS Martin Ratio Rank: 8484
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.

FXU vs. EFAS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU) and Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF (EFAS). 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.

FXUEFASDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.26
2.75

-1.50

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.75
3.86

-2.11

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.21

1.48

-0.27

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.93

5.64

-3.72

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.17

14.75

-9.57

FXU vs. EFAS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXU Sharpe Ratio is 1.26, which is lower than the EFAS Sharpe Ratio of 2.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXU and EFAS, 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

FXU vs. EFAS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXU drawdown since its inception was -49.00%, which is greater than EFAS's maximum drawdown of -44.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXU and EFAS.

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Drawdown Indicators

FXUEFASDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-49.00%

-44.38%

-4.62%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.63%

-5.30%

-3.33%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.46%

-11.84%

-5.62%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-21.87%

-28.81%

+6.94%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.81%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-5.57%

-0.87%

-4.70%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.63%

-7.06%

-0.57%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.22%

2.02%

+1.20%

Volatility

FXU vs. EFAS - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU) has a higher volatility of 5.01% compared to Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF (EFAS) at 3.35%. This indicates that FXU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EFAS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

FXUEFASDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.01%

3.35%

+1.66%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.33%

8.58%

+1.75%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.30%

10.87%

+2.43%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.61%

15.62%

+0.99%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.34%

18.32%

+0.02%

FXU vs. EFAS - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXU has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is higher than EFAS's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

FXU vs. EFAS - Dividend Comparison

FXU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.16%, less than EFAS's 4.62% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EFAS
Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF		4.62%4.83%6.76%6.33%7.28%5.19%4.34%5.75%6.63%6.15%0.21%0.00%
FXU
First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund		2.16%2.29%2.41%2.52%2.03%2.00%3.97%2.34%2.40%3.81%2.62%3.90%

Frequently Asked Questions

FXU and EFAS have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

FXU has higher volatility (5.01%) compared to EFAS (3.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXU dropped -49.00% vs EFAS's -44.38%.

On 5-year performance, EFAS leads with 12.41% vs 11.71% for FXU. On fees, EFAS is cheaper at 0.56% per year. On volatility, EFAS has been the lower-risk option at 3.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, EFAS has performed better with a 12.41% return vs 11.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

EFAS is cheaper with a 0.56% expense ratio, compared with 0.62% for FXU.

EFAS has the higher dividend yield at 4.62%, compared with 2.16% for FXU.

FXU is categorized as Utilities Equities, while EFAS is Foreign Large Cap Equities. FXU tracks StrataQuant Utilities Index, while EFAS tracks MSCI EAFE Top 50 Dividend Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.62% for FXU and 0.56% for EFAS.

EFAS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.75 vs 1.26), 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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