IFV vs. FDT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IFV (First Trust Dorsey Wright International Focus 5 ETF) and FDT (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds from First Trust - IFV tracks the Dorsey Wright International Focus Five Index while FDT tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IFV returned 7.10%/yr vs 10.91%/yr for FDT. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IFV charges 1.06%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FDT.

Performance

IFV vs. FDT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dorsey Wright International Focus 5 ETF (IFV) and First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IFV achieves a 12.94% return, which is significantly lower than FDT's 25.50% return. Over the past 10 years, IFV has underperformed FDT with an annualized return of 7.10%, while FDT has yielded a comparatively higher 10.91% annualized return.

IFV

• 1D: -0.63%
• 1M: 3.11%
• YTD: 12.94%
• 6M: 16.30%
• 1Y: 29.74%
• 3Y*: 19.18%
• 5Y*: 4.76%
• 10Y*: 7.10%

FDT

• 1D: -0.64%
• 1M: 5.22%
• YTD: 25.50%
• 6M: 28.63%
• 1Y: 55.05%
• 3Y*: 30.08%
• 5Y*: 12.55%
• 10Y*: 10.91%

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

IFV vs. FDT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IFV First Trust Dorsey Wright International Focus 5 ETF	12.94%	32.26%	0.33%	20.45%	-25.39%	5.59%	6.15%	26.29%	-20.44%	32.58%
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	25.50%	52.21%	6.97%	15.03%	-19.51%	11.43%	4.29%	16.82%	-19.98%	34.42%

Correlation

The correlation between IFV and FDT is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 24, 2014	0.80

The correlation between IFV and FDT shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (5 years) to 0.86 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IFV vs. FDT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IFV	FDT
Industrials	31.1%	34.0%
Financial Services	11.6%	10.2%
Basic Materials	10.3%	9.6%
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	11.5%
Energy	8.5%	9.2%
Technology	7.5%	8.1%
Real Estate	6.1%	5.3%
Utilities	5.4%	5.2%
Healthcare	4.0%	1.4%
Consumer Defensive	3.9%	2.8%
Communication Services	2.6%	2.7%

Return for Risk

IFV vs. FDT — Risk / Return Rank

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

IFV

IFV Risk / Return Rank: 53
IFV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
IFV Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
IFV Omega Ratio Rank: 55
IFV Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
IFV Martin Ratio Rank: 53

FDT

FDT Risk / Return Rank: 84
FDT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
FDT Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
FDT Omega Ratio Rank: 86
FDT Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
FDT Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

IFV vs. FDT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dorsey Wright International Focus 5 ETF (IFV) and First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT). 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.

	IFV	FDT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.84	3.00	-1.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.59	3.85	-1.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.54	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.38	4.13	-1.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.97	16.12	-7.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IFV vs. FDT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IFV Sharpe Ratio is 1.84, which is lower than the FDT Sharpe Ratio of 3.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IFV and FDT, 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

	IFV	FDT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.84	3.00	-1.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	0.69	-0.43
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.34	0.59	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.40	-0.16

Drawdowns

IFV vs. FDT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IFV drawdown since its inception was -48.89%, which is greater than FDT's maximum drawdown of -46.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IFV and FDT.

Drawdown Indicators

	IFV	FDT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.89%	-46.10%	-2.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.57%	-13.41%	+0.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.66%	-14.29%	-0.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.32%	-33.18%	-2.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.89%	-46.10%	-2.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.32%	-1.59%	+0.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.23%	-10.78%	-2.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.32%	3.43%	-0.11%

Volatility

IFV vs. FDT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Dorsey Wright International Focus 5 ETF (IFV) is 6.06%, while First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) has a volatility of 7.23%. This indicates that IFV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FDT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IFV	FDT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.06%	7.23%	-1.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.47%	15.91%	-2.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.24%	18.42%	-2.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.97%	18.23%	-0.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.75%	18.52%	+2.23%

IFV vs. FDT - Expense Ratio Comparison

IFV has a 1.06% expense ratio, which is higher than FDT's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

IFV vs. FDT - Dividend Comparison

IFV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.76%, less than FDT's 2.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	2.84%	3.27%	3.89%	4.36%	2.29%	3.80%	2.42%	2.78%	2.13%	1.57%	1.76%	1.83%
IFV First Trust Dorsey Wright International Focus 5 ETF	1.76%	1.95%	2.31%	2.88%	3.79%	1.04%	1.53%	2.91%	1.86%	1.43%	1.10%	1.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IFV and FDT in my portfolio?

IFV and FDT have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IFV or FDT?

FDT has higher volatility (7.23%) compared to IFV (6.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IFV dropped -48.89% vs FDT's -46.10%.

Which ETF is better, IFV or FDT?

On 10-year performance, FDT leads with 10.91% vs 7.10% for IFV. On fees, FDT is cheaper at 0.80% per year. On volatility, IFV has been the lower-risk option at 6.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IFV or FDT?

Over the 10-year period, FDT has performed better with a 10.91% return vs 7.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IFV or FDT?

FDT is cheaper with a 0.80% expense ratio, compared with 1.06% for IFV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IFV or FDT?

FDT has the higher dividend yield at 2.84%, compared with 1.76% for IFV.

What is the main difference between IFV and FDT?

IFV tracks Dorsey Wright International Focus Five Index, while FDT tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index. Their fees differ too: 1.06% for IFV and 0.80% for FDT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.00 vs 1.84), 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.