GDX vs. FDTS
GDX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) and FDTS (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - GDX is a Gold fund tracking the NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners 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, GDX returned 13.29%/yr vs 10.96%/yr for FDTS. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GDX charges 0.51%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FDTS.
Performance
GDX vs. FDTS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GDX achieves a -6.69% return, which is significantly lower than FDTS's 18.78% return. Over the past 10 years, GDX has outperformed FDTS with an annualized return of 13.29%, while FDTS has yielded a comparatively lower 10.96% annualized return.
GDX
- 1D
- 2.97%
- 1M
- -14.82%
- YTD
- -6.69%
- 6M
- -5.89%
- 1Y
- 48.02%
- 3Y*
- 38.96%
- 5Y*
- 17.51%
- 10Y*
- 13.29%
FDTS
- 1D
- -0.17%
- 1M
- -3.79%
- YTD
- 18.78%
- 6M
- 20.77%
- 1Y
- 44.72%
- 3Y*
- 24.70%
- 5Y*
- 10.78%
- 10Y*
- 10.96%
GDX vs. FDTS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF | -6.69% | 154.77% | 10.63% | 9.98% | -9.01% | -9.52% | 23.66% | 39.84% | -8.77% | 11.99% |
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 GDX and FDTS is 0.51, 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 | 0.51 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.51 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.41 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.27 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 16, 2012 | 0.23 |
Over the past year, GDX and FDTS have become more correlated (0.51) than their long-term average of 0.23, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
GDX vs. FDTS — Risk / Return Rank
GDX
FDTS
GDX vs. FDTS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) 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.
| GDX | FDTS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.29 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.63 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.42 | -0.21 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.40 | 3.43 | -2.02 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.87 | 11.78 | -7.91 |
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Drawdowns
GDX vs. FDTS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GDX drawdown since its inception was -80.34%, which is greater than FDTS's maximum drawdown of -51.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDX and FDTS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GDX | FDTS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -80.34% | -51.26% | -29.08% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -36.28% | -12.61% | -23.67% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -36.28% | -13.19% | -23.09% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -46.51% | -33.11% | -13.40% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -49.79% | -51.26% | +1.47% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -30.91% | -4.77% | -26.14% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -40.41% | -10.64% | -29.77% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 13.11% | 3.66% | +9.45% |
Volatility
GDX vs. FDTS - Volatility Comparison
VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) has a higher volatility of 17.20% compared to First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS) at 8.44%. This indicates that GDX'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.
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Volatility by Period
| GDX | FDTS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 17.20% | 8.44% | +8.76% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 39.15% | 15.54% | +23.61% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 46.89% | 18.27% | +28.62% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 36.74% | 29.42% | +7.32% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 37.34% | 24.92% | +12.42% |
GDX vs. FDTS - Expense Ratio Comparison
GDX has a 0.51% expense ratio, which is lower than FDTS's 0.80% expense ratio.
Dividends
GDX vs. FDTS - Dividend Comparison
GDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.79%, less 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% |
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF | 0.79% | 0.74% | 1.19% | 1.61% | 1.66% | 1.67% | 0.53% | 0.67% | 0.50% | 0.76% | 0.26% | 0.85% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GDX and FDTS have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GDX has higher volatility (17.20%) compared to FDTS (8.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDX dropped -80.34% vs FDTS's -51.26%.
On 10-year performance, GDX leads with 13.29% vs 10.96% for FDTS. On fees, GDX is cheaper at 0.51% per year. 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.
Over the 10-year period, GDX has performed better with a 13.29% return vs 10.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GDX is cheaper with a 0.51% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDTS.
FDTS has the higher dividend yield at 2.53%, compared with 0.79% for GDX.
GDX is categorized as Gold, while FDTS is Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities. GDX tracks NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index, while FDTS tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Small Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.51% for GDX and 0.80% for FDTS.
FDTS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 1.09), 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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