SGDM vs. FDTS

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

SGDM (Sprott Gold Miners ETF) and FDTS (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - SGDM is a Gold fund tracking the Solactive Gold Miners Custom Factors Index, while FDTS is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Small Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SGDM returned 11.84%/yr vs 10.96%/yr for FDTS. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SGDM charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FDTS.

Performance

SGDM vs. FDTS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Gold Miners ETF (SGDM) 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, SGDM achieves a -4.58% return, which is significantly lower than FDTS's 18.78% return. Over the past 10 years, SGDM has outperformed FDTS with an annualized return of 11.84%, while FDTS has yielded a comparatively lower 10.96% annualized return.

SGDM

• 1D: 3.49%
• 1M: -14.98%
• YTD: -4.58%
• 6M: -4.02%
• 1Y: 43.72%
• 3Y*: 37.20%
• 5Y*: 17.23%
• 10Y*: 11.84%

FDTS

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: -3.79%
• YTD: 18.78%
• 6M: 20.77%
• 1Y: 44.72%
• 3Y*: 24.70%
• 5Y*: 10.78%
• 10Y*: 10.96%

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

SGDM vs. FDTS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SGDM Sprott Gold Miners ETF	-4.58%	153.46%	12.14%	2.34%	-8.23%	-9.15%	21.85%	44.27%	-15.14%	10.46%
FDTS First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund	18.78%	51.17%	2.44%	10.96%	-15.34%	11.79%	12.90%	18.71%	-23.71%	36.01%

Correlation

The correlation between SGDM and FDTS is 0.50, 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	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 15, 2014	0.23

Over the past year, SGDM and FDTS have become more correlated (0.50) than their long-term average of 0.23, meaning their price movements have been converging.

SGDM vs. FDTS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SGDM	FDTS
Basic Materials	100.0%	11.3%
Communication Services	-	3.2%
Consumer Cyclical	-	18.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.7%
Energy	-	4.0%
Financial Services	-	11.9%
Healthcare	-	2.8%
Industrials	-	22.2%
Real Estate	-	4.3%
Technology	-	14.1%
Utilities	-	2.7%

Return for Risk

SGDM vs. FDTS — Risk / Return Rank

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

SGDM

SGDM Risk / Return Rank: 31
SGDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
SGDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
SGDM Omega Ratio Rank: 33
SGDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
SGDM Martin Ratio Rank: 29

FDTS

FDTS Risk / Return Rank: 79
FDTS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
FDTS Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
FDTS Omega Ratio Rank: 81
FDTS Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
FDTS Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

SGDM vs. FDTS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Gold Miners ETF (SGDM) 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.

	SGDM	FDTS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.01	2.37	-1.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.42	3.15	-1.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.42	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.30	3.43	-2.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.60	11.78	-8.18

SGDM vs. FDTS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SGDM Sharpe Ratio is 1.01, which is lower than the FDTS Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SGDM 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.

Drawdowns

SGDM vs. FDTS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SGDM drawdown since its inception was -54.95%, which is greater than FDTS's maximum drawdown of -51.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SGDM and FDTS.

Drawdown Indicators

	SGDM	FDTS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.95%	-51.26%	-3.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-35.96%	-12.61%	-23.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.96%	-13.19%	-22.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.06%	-33.11%	-11.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.69%	-51.26%	+1.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-30.31%	-4.77%	-25.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.46%	-10.64%	-14.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.93%	3.66%	+9.27%

Volatility

SGDM vs. FDTS - Volatility Comparison

Sprott Gold Miners ETF (SGDM) has a higher volatility of 16.53% compared to First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS) at 8.44%. This indicates that SGDM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FDTS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SGDM	FDTS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.53%	8.44%	+8.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	38.64%	15.54%	+23.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	46.24%	18.27%	+27.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.11%	29.42%	+6.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	36.97%	24.92%	+12.05%

SGDM vs. FDTS - Expense Ratio Comparison

SGDM has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than FDTS's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

SGDM vs. FDTS - Dividend Comparison

SGDM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.09%, less than FDTS's 2.53% 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	2.53%	2.94%	3.94%	2.90%	3.71%	3.01%	2.02%	2.30%	1.96%	2.08%	1.78%	1.73%
SGDM Sprott Gold Miners ETF	1.09%	1.04%	1.04%	1.39%	1.42%	1.33%	0.30%	0.25%	0.50%	0.58%	0.02%	1.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SGDM and FDTS in my portfolio?

SGDM and FDTS have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SGDM or FDTS?

SGDM has higher volatility (16.53%) compared to FDTS (8.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SGDM dropped -54.95% vs FDTS's -51.26%.

Which ETF is better, SGDM or FDTS?

On 10-year performance, SGDM leads with 11.84% vs 10.96% for FDTS. On fees, SGDM is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, FDTS has been the lower-risk option at 8.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SGDM or FDTS?

Over the 10-year period, SGDM has performed better with a 11.84% return vs 10.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SGDM or FDTS?

SGDM is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDTS.

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

FDTS has the higher dividend yield at 2.53%, compared with 1.09% for SGDM.

What is the main difference between SGDM and FDTS?

SGDM is categorized as Gold, while FDTS is Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities. SGDM tracks Solactive Gold Miners Custom Factors Index, while FDTS tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Small Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: Sprott and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for SGDM and 0.80% for FDTS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDTS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 1.01), 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.