IDV vs. FDTS

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

IDV (iShares International Select Dividend ETF) and FDTS (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - IDV is a Global Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones EPAC Select Dividend, 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, IDV returned 10.33%/yr vs 9.93%/yr for FDTS. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IDV charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FDTS.

Performance

IDV vs. FDTS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares International Select Dividend ETF (IDV) 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, IDV achieves a 10.84% return, which is significantly lower than FDTS's 14.34% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IDV having a 10.33% annualized return and FDTS not far behind at 9.93%.

IDV

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: -2.36%
• YTD: 10.84%
• 6M: 14.01%
• 1Y: 33.84%
• 3Y*: 24.24%
• 5Y*: 11.70%
• 10Y*: 10.33%

FDTS

• 1D: 1.24%
• 1M: -8.33%
• YTD: 14.34%
• 6M: 16.46%
• 1Y: 40.77%
• 3Y*: 23.77%
• 5Y*: 10.11%
• 10Y*: 9.93%

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

IDV vs. FDTS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IDV iShares International Select Dividend ETF	10.84%	52.16%	4.00%	10.32%	-6.40%	12.00%	-5.94%	23.56%	-10.37%	19.74%
FDTS First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund	14.34%	51.17%	2.44%	10.96%	-15.34%	11.79%	12.90%	18.71%	-23.71%	36.01%

Correlation

The correlation between IDV and FDTS is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 17, 2012	0.49

Over the past year, IDV and FDTS have become more correlated (0.73) than their long-term average of 0.49, meaning their price movements have been converging.

IDV vs. FDTS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IDV	FDTS
Financial Services	30.1%	11.7%
Energy	15.6%	4.3%
Utilities	11.8%	2.7%
Communication Services	10.0%	3.0%
Consumer Cyclical	9.6%	18.4%
Consumer Defensive	7.2%	5.0%
Industrials	6.7%	23.0%
Basic Materials	5.8%	11.2%
Real Estate	2.4%	4.3%
Technology	0.9%	13.4%
Healthcare	-	3.0%

Return for Risk

IDV vs. FDTS — Risk / Return Rank

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

IDV

IDV Risk / Return Rank: 84
IDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
IDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
IDV Omega Ratio Rank: 86
IDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
IDV Martin Ratio Rank: 82

FDTS

FDTS Risk / Return Rank: 74
FDTS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
FDTS Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
FDTS Omega Ratio Rank: 76
FDTS Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
FDTS Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

IDV vs. FDTS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares International Select Dividend ETF (IDV) 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.

	IDV	FDTS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.63	2.32	+0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.42	3.01	+0.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.40	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.99	3.25	+0.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.00	11.52	+3.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IDV vs. FDTS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IDV Sharpe Ratio is 2.63, which is comparable to the FDTS Sharpe Ratio of 2.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IDV 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IDV	FDTS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.63	2.32	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.35	+0.41
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	0.40	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.21	0.36	-0.15

Drawdowns

IDV vs. FDTS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IDV drawdown since its inception was -70.14%, which is greater than FDTS's maximum drawdown of -51.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IDV and FDTS.

Drawdown Indicators

	IDV	FDTS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.14%	-51.26%	-18.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.52%	-12.61%	+4.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.86%	-13.19%	+1.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.19%	-33.11%	+3.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.50%	-51.26%	+8.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.08%	-8.33%	+4.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.39%	-10.65%	-4.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.26%	3.55%	-1.29%

Volatility

IDV vs. FDTS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares International Select Dividend ETF (IDV) is 3.91%, while First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS) has a volatility of 7.49%. This indicates that IDV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FDTS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IDV	FDTS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.91%	7.49%	-3.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.71%	14.83%	-4.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.96%	17.67%	-4.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.56%	29.35%	-13.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.94%	24.88%	-6.94%

IDV vs. FDTS - Expense Ratio Comparison

IDV has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than FDTS's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

IDV vs. FDTS - Dividend Comparison

IDV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.51%, more than FDTS's 2.63% 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	2.63%	2.94%	3.94%	2.90%	3.71%	3.01%	2.02%	2.30%	1.96%	2.08%	1.78%	1.73%
IDV iShares International Select Dividend ETF	4.51%	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 IDV and FDTS in my portfolio?

IDV and FDTS have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IDV or FDTS?

FDTS has higher volatility (7.49%) compared to IDV (3.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IDV dropped -70.14% vs FDTS's -51.26%.

Which ETF is better, IDV or FDTS?

On 10-year performance, IDV leads with 10.33% vs 9.93% for FDTS. On fees, IDV is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, IDV has been the lower-risk option at 3.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IDV or FDTS?

Over the 10-year period, IDV has performed better with a 10.33% return vs 9.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IDV or FDTS?

IDV is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDTS.

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

IDV has the higher dividend yield at 4.51%, compared with 2.63% for FDTS.

What is the main difference between IDV and FDTS?

IDV is categorized as Global Equities, while FDTS is Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities. IDV tracks Dow Jones EPAC Select Dividend, while FDTS tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Small Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for IDV and 0.80% for FDTS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IDV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 2.32), 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.