NISM vs. FDTS
NISM (NYLI International Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF) and FDTS (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund) are both Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities funds. NISM is actively managed, while FDTS is passively managed. Their 0.78 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. NISM charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FDTS.
Performance
NISM vs. FDTS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
NISM
- 1D
- 0.88%
- 1M
- 0.67%
- 6M
- —
- YTD
- —
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- —
FDTS
- 1D
- 0.13%
- 1M
- 0.18%
- 6M
- 2.10%
- YTD
- 12.59%
- 1Y
- 28.11%
- 3Y*
- 21.04%
- 5Y*
- 9.94%
- 10Y*
- 9.88%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.14%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $20.32K | $36.23K | $86.62K | |
| $2.01K | $15.28K | $8.22K |
NISM vs. FDTS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | |
|---|---|
NISM NYLI International Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF | -1.67% |
FDTS First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund | -7.22% |
Correlation
The correlation between NISM and FDTS is 0.78, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 13, 2026 | 0.78 |
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Return for Risk
NISM vs. FDTS — Risk / Return Rank
NISM
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
FDTS
NISM vs. FDTS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NYLI International Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF (NISM) 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| NISM | FDTS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.27 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 2.24 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 5.99 | — |
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Drawdowns
NISM vs. FDTS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum NISM drawdown since its inception was -4.35%, smaller than the maximum FDTS drawdown of -51.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NISM and FDTS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| NISM | FDTS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -4.35% | -51.26% | +46.91% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -12.61% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -13.19% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -33.11% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -51.26% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.74% | -9.74% | +8.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.84% | -10.63% | +8.79% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 4.71% | — |
Volatility
NISM vs. FDTS - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| NISM | FDTS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 4.84% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 16.42% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.85% | 18.87% | -5.02% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.85% | 29.48% | -15.63% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.85% | 24.85% | -11.00% |
NISM vs. FDTS - Expense Ratio Comparison
NISM has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is lower than FDTS's 0.80% expense ratio.
Dividends
NISM vs. FDTS - Dividend Comparison
NISM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.24%, less than FDTS's 2.90% 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 | 2.90% | 2.94% | 3.94% | 2.90% | 3.71% | 3.01% | 2.02% | 2.30% | 1.96% | 2.08% | 1.78% | 1.73% |
NISM NYLI International Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF | 0.24% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
NISM and FDTS have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, NISM is cheaper at 0.70% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
NISM is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDTS.
FDTS has the higher dividend yield at 2.90%, compared with 0.24% for NISM.
They also come from different issuers: New York Life Investment Management and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for NISM and 0.80% for FDTS.
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