NUDM vs. FDT

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

NUDM (Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF) and FDT (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - NUDM tracks the MSCI TIAA ESG International DM while FDT tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, NUDM returned 8.31%/yr vs 12.97%/yr for FDT. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NUDM charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FDT.

Performance

NUDM vs. FDT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF (NUDM) 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, NUDM achieves a 8.57% return, which is significantly lower than FDT's 26.31% return.

NUDM

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 3.15%
• YTD: 8.57%
• 6M: 10.96%
• 1Y: 21.24%
• 3Y*: 16.25%
• 5Y*: 8.31%
• 10Y*: —

FDT

• 1D: -0.96%
• 1M: 5.42%
• YTD: 26.31%
• 6M: 30.28%
• 1Y: 55.30%
• 3Y*: 30.36%
• 5Y*: 12.97%
• 10Y*: 10.98%

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

NUDM vs. FDT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NUDM Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF	8.57%	29.60%	5.47%	17.70%	-15.16%	10.62%	10.06%	24.58%	-14.82%	8.40%
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	26.31%	52.21%	6.97%	15.03%	-19.51%	11.43%	4.29%	16.82%	-19.98%	12.92%

Correlation

The correlation between NUDM and FDT is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2017	0.85

The correlation between NUDM and FDT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

NUDM vs. FDT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NUDM	FDT
Financial Services	25.9%	10.2%
Industrials	21.2%	34.0%
Technology	12.1%	8.1%
Healthcare	10.8%	1.4%
Consumer Defensive	7.4%	2.8%
Consumer Cyclical	6.0%	11.5%
Basic Materials	5.4%	9.6%
Communication Services	4.5%	2.7%
Utilities	3.8%	5.2%
Real Estate	2.3%	5.3%
Energy	0.7%	9.2%

Return for Risk

NUDM vs. FDT — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUDM

NUDM Risk / Return Rank: 37
NUDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
NUDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
NUDM Omega Ratio Rank: 36
NUDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
NUDM Martin Ratio Rank: 41

FDT

FDT Risk / Return Rank: 85
FDT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
FDT Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
FDT Omega Ratio Rank: 87
FDT Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
FDT Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

NUDM vs. FDT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF (NUDM) 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.

	NUDM	FDT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.36	3.02	-1.66
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.94	3.86	-1.92
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.54	-0.30
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.79	4.36	-2.57
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.70	17.08	-10.38
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NUDM vs. FDT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUDM Sharpe Ratio is 1.36, which is lower than the FDT Sharpe Ratio of 3.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUDM 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

	NUDM	FDT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.36	3.02	-1.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.71	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.59	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.40	+0.08

Drawdowns

NUDM vs. FDT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUDM drawdown since its inception was -32.01%, smaller than the maximum FDT drawdown of -46.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUDM and FDT.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUDM	FDT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.01%	-46.10%	+14.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.50%	-13.41%	+0.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.47%	-14.29%	+0.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.09%	-33.18%	+3.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-46.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.09%	-0.96%	-0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.86%	-10.78%	+3.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.34%	3.42%	-0.08%

Volatility

NUDM vs. FDT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF (NUDM) is 5.46%, while First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) has a volatility of 7.21%. This indicates that NUDM 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

	NUDM	FDT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.46%	7.21%	-1.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.02%	15.92%	-2.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.75%	18.50%	-2.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.64%	18.24%	-1.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.59%	18.53%	-0.94%

NUDM vs. FDT - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

NUDM vs. FDT - Dividend Comparison

NUDM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.87%, more than FDT's 2.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	2.82%	3.27%	3.89%	4.36%	2.29%	3.80%	2.42%	2.78%	2.13%	1.57%	1.76%	1.83%
NUDM Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF	6.87%	7.46%	3.33%	3.14%	1.98%	4.31%	1.47%	3.42%	2.45%	0.47%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NUDM and FDT in my portfolio?

NUDM and FDT have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NUDM or FDT?

FDT has higher volatility (7.21%) compared to NUDM (5.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUDM dropped -32.01% vs FDT's -46.10%.

Which ETF is better, NUDM or FDT?

On 5-year performance, FDT leads with 12.97% vs 8.31% for NUDM. On fees, NUDM is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, NUDM has been the lower-risk option at 5.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NUDM or FDT?

Over the 5-year period, FDT has performed better with a 12.97% return vs 8.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUDM or FDT?

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

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

NUDM has the higher dividend yield at 6.87%, compared with 2.82% for FDT.

What is the main difference between NUDM and FDT?

NUDM tracks MSCI TIAA ESG International DM, while FDT tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index. They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for NUDM and 0.80% for FDT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.02 vs 1.36), 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.