ILOW vs. FDT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ILOW (AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF) and FDT (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. ILOW is actively managed, while FDT is passively managed. Over the past year, ILOW returned 11.03% vs 55.05% for FDT. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ILOW charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FDT.

Performance

ILOW vs. FDT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF (ILOW) 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, ILOW achieves a 4.82% return, which is significantly lower than FDT's 25.50% return.

ILOW

• 1D: -0.80%
• 1M: 1.39%
• YTD: 4.82%
• 6M: 6.86%
• 1Y: 11.03%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

ILOW vs. FDT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ILOW AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF	4.82%	26.99%	-1.37%
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	25.50%	52.21%	-3.34%

Correlation

The correlation between ILOW and FDT is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 16, 2024	0.79

The correlation between ILOW and FDT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

ILOW vs. FDT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ILOW	FDT
Financial Services	31.4%	10.2%
Industrials	18.6%	34.0%
Consumer Defensive	11.3%	2.8%
Technology	10.6%	8.1%
Healthcare	7.3%	1.4%
Communication Services	6.5%	2.7%
Utilities	3.9%	5.2%
Energy	3.3%	9.2%
Real Estate	3.2%	5.3%
Consumer Cyclical	2.4%	11.5%
Basic Materials	1.6%	9.6%

Return for Risk

ILOW vs. FDT — Risk / Return Rank

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

ILOW

ILOW Risk / Return Rank: 25
ILOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
ILOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
ILOW Omega Ratio Rank: 23
ILOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
ILOW Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

ILOW vs. FDT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF (ILOW) 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.

	ILOW	FDT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.83	3.00	-2.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.27	3.85	-2.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.54	-0.38
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.13	4.13	-3.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.40	16.12	-11.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ILOW vs. FDT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ILOW Sharpe Ratio is 0.83, which is lower than the FDT Sharpe Ratio of 3.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ILOW 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

	ILOW	FDT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83	3.00	-2.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.69	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.59	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.07	0.40	+0.68

Drawdowns

ILOW vs. FDT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ILOW drawdown since its inception was -10.37%, smaller than the maximum FDT drawdown of -46.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ILOW and FDT.

Drawdown Indicators

	ILOW	FDT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.37%	-46.10%	+35.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.80%	-13.41%	+3.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-14.29%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-33.18%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-46.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.08%	-1.59%	-0.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.11%	-10.78%	+8.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.51%	3.43%	-0.92%

Volatility

ILOW vs. FDT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF (ILOW) is 4.47%, while First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) has a volatility of 7.23%. This indicates that ILOW 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

	ILOW	FDT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.47%	7.23%	-2.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.12%	15.91%	-4.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.42%	18.42%	-5.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.56%	18.23%	-3.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.56%	18.52%	-3.96%

ILOW vs. FDT - Expense Ratio Comparison

ILOW has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than FDT's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

ILOW vs. FDT - Dividend Comparison

ILOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.53%, 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%
ILOW AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF	1.53%	1.60%	0.78%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ILOW and FDT in my portfolio?

ILOW and FDT have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ILOW or FDT?

FDT has higher volatility (7.23%) compared to ILOW (4.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ILOW dropped -10.37% vs FDT's -46.10%.

Which ETF is better, ILOW or FDT?

On 1-year performance, FDT leads with 55.05% vs 11.03% for ILOW. On fees, ILOW is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, ILOW has been the lower-risk option at 4.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ILOW or FDT?

Over the 1-year period, FDT has performed better with a 55.05% return vs 11.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ILOW or FDT?

ILOW is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDT.

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

FDT has the higher dividend yield at 2.84%, compared with 1.53% for ILOW.

What is the main difference between ILOW and FDT?

They also come from different issuers: AllianceBernstein and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for ILOW and 0.80% for FDT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.00 vs 0.83), 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.