IVAL vs. FDTS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IVAL (Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF) and FDTS (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - IVAL is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Alpha Architect, while FDTS is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Small Cap Index. IVAL is actively managed, while FDTS is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IVAL returned 8.01%/yr vs 10.50%/yr for FDTS. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IVAL charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FDTS.

Performance

IVAL vs. FDTS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF (IVAL) 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, IVAL achieves a 13.29% return, which is significantly lower than FDTS's 16.64% return. Over the past 10 years, IVAL has underperformed FDTS with an annualized return of 8.01%, while FDTS has yielded a comparatively higher 10.50% annualized return.

IVAL

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: 3.49%
• YTD: 13.29%
• 6M: 16.64%
• 1Y: 32.20%
• 3Y*: 19.90%
• 5Y*: 8.36%
• 10Y*: 8.01%

FDTS

• 1D: -1.14%
• 1M: -2.48%
• YTD: 16.64%
• 6M: 19.06%
• 1Y: 45.71%
• 3Y*: 25.36%
• 5Y*: 10.59%
• 10Y*: 10.50%

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

IVAL vs. FDTS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IVAL Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF	13.29%	34.92%	-0.71%	20.61%	-10.06%	-0.22%	-4.94%	21.26%	-22.50%	31.03%
FDTS First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund	16.64%	51.17%	2.44%	10.96%	-15.34%	11.79%	12.90%	18.71%	-23.71%	36.01%

Correlation

The correlation between IVAL and FDTS is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 18, 2014	0.56

The correlation between IVAL and FDTS shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (all time) to 0.80 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IVAL vs. FDTS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IVAL	FDTS
Industrials	28.5%	23.0%
Consumer Cyclical	23.5%	18.4%
Basic Materials	21.2%	11.2%
Energy	11.6%	4.3%
Consumer Defensive	7.4%	5.0%
Technology	3.9%	13.4%
Communication Services	2.1%	3.0%
Healthcare	1.8%	3.0%
Financial Services	-	11.7%
Real Estate	-	4.3%
Utilities	-	2.7%

Return for Risk

IVAL vs. FDTS — Risk / Return Rank

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

IVAL

IVAL Risk / Return Rank: 61
IVAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
IVAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
IVAL Omega Ratio Rank: 62
IVAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
IVAL Martin Ratio Rank: 57

FDTS

FDTS Risk / Return Rank: 76
FDTS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
FDTS Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
FDTS Omega Ratio Rank: 77
FDTS Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
FDTS Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

IVAL vs. FDTS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF (IVAL) 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.

	IVAL	FDTS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	2.69	-0.58
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.96	3.52	-0.57
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.46	-0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.88	3.64	-0.77
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.17	13.32	-3.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IVAL vs. FDTS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IVAL Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is comparable to the FDTS Sharpe Ratio of 2.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IVAL 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

	IVAL	FDTS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.11	2.69	-0.58
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.36	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	0.42	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	0.37	-0.03

Drawdowns

IVAL vs. FDTS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IVAL drawdown since its inception was -46.09%, smaller than the maximum FDTS drawdown of -51.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IVAL and FDTS.

Drawdown Indicators

	IVAL	FDTS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.09%	-51.26%	+5.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.24%	-12.61%	+1.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.92%	-13.19%	-1.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.01%	-33.11%	+2.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.09%	-51.26%	+5.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.94%	-6.49%	+3.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.00%	-10.65%	-1.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.18%	3.44%	-0.26%

Volatility

IVAL vs. FDTS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF (IVAL) is 3.82%, while First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS) has a volatility of 6.54%. This indicates that IVAL 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

	IVAL	FDTS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.82%	6.54%	-2.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.00%	14.09%	-2.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.37%	17.05%	-1.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.74%	29.28%	-11.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.84%	24.85%	-6.01%

IVAL vs. FDTS - Expense Ratio Comparison

IVAL has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is lower than FDTS's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

IVAL vs. FDTS - Dividend Comparison

IVAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.66%, more than FDTS's 2.58% 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	2.58%	2.94%	3.94%	2.90%	3.71%	3.01%	2.02%	2.30%	1.96%	2.08%	1.78%	1.73%
IVAL Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF	2.66%	2.75%	3.60%	5.15%	8.00%	3.95%	2.07%	2.51%	2.93%	1.73%	2.02%	1.86%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IVAL and FDTS in my portfolio?

IVAL and FDTS have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IVAL or FDTS?

FDTS has higher volatility (6.54%) compared to IVAL (3.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IVAL dropped -46.09% vs FDTS's -51.26%.

Which ETF is better, IVAL or FDTS?

On 10-year performance, FDTS leads with 10.50% vs 8.01% for IVAL. On fees, IVAL is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, IVAL has been the lower-risk option at 3.82%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IVAL or FDTS?

Over the 10-year period, FDTS has performed better with a 10.50% return vs 8.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IVAL or FDTS?

IVAL is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDTS.

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

IVAL has the higher dividend yield at 2.66%, compared with 2.58% for FDTS.

What is the main difference between IVAL and FDTS?

IVAL is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while FDTS is Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities. They also come from different issuers: Alpha Architect and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for IVAL and 0.80% for FDTS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDTS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.69 vs 2.11), 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.