SPDW vs. FLTW

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

SPDW (SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF) and FLTW (Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPDW is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the S&P Developed Ex-U.S. BMI Index, while FLTW is a Taiwan Equities fund tracking the FTSE Taiwan RIC Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SPDW returned 9.60%/yr vs 18.74%/yr for FLTW. Their 0.67 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SPDW charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for FLTW.

Performance

SPDW vs. FLTW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF (SPDW) and Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF (FLTW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPDW achieves a 14.95% return, which is significantly lower than FLTW's 55.54% return.

SPDW

• 1D: 0.56%
• 1M: 0.54%
• 6M: 8.07%
• YTD: 14.95%
• 1Y: 30.58%
• 3Y*: 19.18%
• 5Y*: 9.60%
• 10Y*: 10.02%
• ALL TIME*: 5.12%

FLTW

• 1D: 1.61%
• 1M: -6.62%
• 6M: 42.26%
• YTD: 55.54%
• 1Y: 81.51%
• 3Y*: 38.34%
• 5Y*: 18.74%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 18.65%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FLTW Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF	$56.06M	$60.11M	$68.33M
SPDW SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF	$136.01M	$160.57M	$162.83M

SPDW vs. FLTW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPDW SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF	14.95%	34.75%	3.55%	17.81%	-15.98%	11.45%	9.90%	22.41%	-14.22%	1.99%
FLTW Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF	55.54%	32.00%	16.68%	30.05%	-27.51%	29.46%	29.77%	31.23%	-9.32%	-1.28%

Correlation

The correlation between SPDW and FLTW is 0.72, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2017	0.67

The correlation between SPDW and FLTW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

SPDW vs. FLTW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPDW	FLTW
Financial Services	18.0%	12.5%
Industrials	10.6%	3.0%
Technology	9.5%	77.2%
Healthcare	6.3%	0.7%
Basic Materials	5.4%	2.9%
Consumer Cyclical	5.2%	1.6%
Energy	4.9%	0.1%
Consumer Defensive	3.0%	0.7%
Communication Services	1.8%	1.3%
Real Estate	1.8%	-
Utilities	1.4%	-

Return for Risk

SPDW vs. FLTW — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SPDW

SPDW Risk / Return Rank: 76
SPDW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SPDW Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
SPDW Omega Ratio Rank: 77
SPDW Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
SPDW Martin Ratio Rank: 78

FLTW

FLTW Risk / Return Rank: 90
FLTW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
FLTW Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
FLTW Omega Ratio Rank: 89
FLTW Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
FLTW Martin Ratio Rank: 91

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SPDW vs. FLTW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF (SPDW) and Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF (FLTW). 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.

	SPDW	FLTW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	2.56	-0.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.49	2.98	-0.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.41	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.66	3.84	-1.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.04	15.64	-5.59

SPDW vs. FLTW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPDW Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is comparable to the FLTW Sharpe Ratio of 2.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPDW and FLTW, 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

SPDW vs. FLTW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPDW drawdown since its inception was -60.02%, which is greater than FLTW's maximum drawdown of -38.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPDW and FLTW.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPDW	FLTW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.02%	-38.00%	-22.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.55%	-21.34%	+9.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.53%	-26.45%	+12.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.21%	-38.00%	+7.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.98%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.56%	-13.45%	+11.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.82%	-8.43%	-4.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.05%	5.23%	-2.18%

Volatility

SPDW vs. FLTW - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF (SPDW) is 5.25%, while Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF (FLTW) has a volatility of 13.73%. This indicates that SPDW experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FLTW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPDW	FLTW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.25%	13.73%	-8.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.15%	28.64%	-13.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.09%	32.09%	-15.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.78%	24.06%	-7.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.13%	22.61%	-5.48%

SPDW vs. FLTW - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPDW has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than FLTW's 0.19% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SPDW vs. FLTW - Dividend Comparison

SPDW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.01%, more than FLTW's 1.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FLTW Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF	1.74%	2.51%	1.89%	2.85%	3.16%	2.31%	2.14%	3.00%	1.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPDW SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF	3.01%	3.30%	3.19%	2.75%	3.12%	3.04%	1.87%	3.13%	3.08%	1.86%	3.11%	2.78%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPDW and FLTW in my portfolio?

SPDW and FLTW have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPDW or FLTW?

FLTW has higher volatility (13.73%) compared to SPDW (5.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPDW dropped -60.02% vs FLTW's -38.00%.

Which ETF is better, SPDW or FLTW?

On 5-year performance, FLTW leads with 18.74% vs 9.60% for SPDW. On fees, SPDW is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, SPDW has been the lower-risk option at 5.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPDW or FLTW?

Over the 5-year period, FLTW has performed better with a 18.74% return vs 9.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPDW or FLTW?

SPDW is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for FLTW.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPDW or FLTW?

SPDW has the higher dividend yield at 3.01%, compared with 1.74% for FLTW.

What is the main difference between SPDW and FLTW?

SPDW is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while FLTW is Taiwan Equities. SPDW tracks S&P Developed Ex-U.S. BMI Index, while FLTW tracks FTSE Taiwan RIC Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Franklin Templeton. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for SPDW and 0.19% for FLTW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FLTW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 1.80), 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.