ISZE vs. FDT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ISZE (iShares Edge MSCI Intl Size Factor ETF) and FDT (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - ISZE tracks the MSCI World ex USA Risk Weighted Index while FDT tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index. Both are passively managed. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ISZE charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FDT.

Performance

ISZE vs. FDT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Edge MSCI Intl Size Factor ETF (ISZE) and First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

ISZE

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 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)

ISZE vs. FDT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ISZE iShares Edge MSCI Intl Size Factor ETF	0.00%	0.00%	-0.11%	15.54%	-15.70%	8.17%	6.07%	21.17%	-13.91%	25.13%
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 ISZE and FDT is 0.63, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 8, 2015	0.63

The correlation between ISZE and FDT shifts across timeframes, from 0.50 (3 years) to 0.71 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ISZE vs. FDT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ISZE	FDT
Industrials	20.0%	34.0%
Financial Services	17.3%	10.2%
Consumer Cyclical	10.7%	11.5%
Basic Materials	8.2%	9.6%
Technology	8.1%	8.1%
Consumer Defensive	7.9%	2.8%
Healthcare	7.8%	1.4%
Real Estate	6.0%	5.3%
Communication Services	5.6%	2.7%
Utilities	4.8%	5.2%
Energy	3.8%	9.2%

Return for Risk

ISZE vs. FDT — Risk / Return Rank

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

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.

ISZE vs. FDT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Edge MSCI Intl Size Factor ETF (ISZE) 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ISZE	FDT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	3.00	—
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	—	0.40	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	ISZE	FDT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	—	-46.10%	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-13.41%	—
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	—	-1.59%	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	—	-10.78%	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.43%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ISZE	FDT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	7.23%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	15.91%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	18.42%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	18.23%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	18.52%	—

ISZE vs. FDT - Expense Ratio Comparison

ISZE has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than FDT's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

ISZE vs. FDT - Dividend Comparison

ISZE has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FDT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.84%.

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%
ISZE iShares Edge MSCI Intl Size Factor ETF	0.00%	0.00%	1.89%	6.63%	2.72%	8.47%	1.39%	2.24%	3.04%	3.33%	3.18%	1.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ISZE and FDT in my portfolio?

ISZE and FDT have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ISZE or FDT?

On fees, ISZE is cheaper at 0.30% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ISZE or FDT?

ISZE is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDT.

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

FDT has the higher dividend yield at 2.84%, compared with 0.00% for ISZE.

What is the main difference between ISZE and FDT?

ISZE tracks MSCI World ex USA Risk Weighted Index, while FDT tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for ISZE and 0.80% for FDT.