UFOX vs. FDTS

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

UFOX (Defiance Connective Technologies ETF) and FDTS (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - UFOX is a Technology Equities fund tracking the BlueStar Connective Technologies 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 5 years, UFOX returned 21.65%/yr vs 10.78%/yr for FDTS. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. UFOX charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FDTS.

Performance

UFOX vs. FDTS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Connective Technologies ETF (UFOX) 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, UFOX achieves a 48.96% return, which is significantly higher than FDTS's 18.78% return.

UFOX

• 1D: -1.41%
• 1M: 0.06%
• YTD: 48.96%
• 6M: 46.16%
• 1Y: 96.14%
• 3Y*: 42.93%
• 5Y*: 21.65%
• 10Y*: —

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)

UFOX vs. FDTS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
UFOX Defiance Connective Technologies ETF	48.96%	34.83%	34.11%	21.83%	-27.26%	25.68%	29.78%	5.58%
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%	6.14%

Correlation

The correlation between UFOX and FDTS is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 5, 2019	0.49

The correlation between UFOX and FDTS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.49 to 0.58 - a consistent structural relationship.

UFOX vs. FDTS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UFOX	FDTS
Technology	75.8%	14.1%
Industrials	13.9%	22.2%
Communication Services	7.1%	3.2%
Real Estate	3.2%	4.3%
Basic Materials	-	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	18.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.7%
Energy	-	4.0%
Financial Services	-	11.9%
Healthcare	-	2.8%
Utilities	-	2.7%

Return for Risk

UFOX vs. FDTS — Risk / Return Rank

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

UFOX

UFOX Risk / Return Rank: 94
UFOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
UFOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
UFOX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
UFOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
UFOX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

UFOX vs. FDTS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Connective Technologies ETF (UFOX) 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.

	UFOX	FDTS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.40	2.37	+1.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.94	3.15	+0.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.42	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.68	3.43	+3.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	28.71	11.78	+16.93

UFOX vs. FDTS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UFOX Sharpe Ratio is 3.40, which is higher than the FDTS Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UFOX 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

UFOX vs. FDTS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UFOX drawdown since its inception was -33.90%, smaller than the maximum FDTS drawdown of -51.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UFOX and FDTS.

Drawdown Indicators

	UFOX	FDTS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.90%	-51.26%	+17.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.14%	-12.61%	-1.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.14%	-13.19%	-14.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.90%	-33.11%	-0.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-51.26%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.69%	-4.77%	-5.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.02%	-10.64%	+1.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.29%	3.66%	-0.37%

Volatility

UFOX vs. FDTS - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Connective Technologies ETF (UFOX) has a higher volatility of 13.40% compared to First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS) at 8.44%. This indicates that UFOX'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

	UFOX	FDTS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.40%	8.44%	+4.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.05%	15.54%	+7.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.78%	18.27%	+9.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.05%	29.42%	-4.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.48%	24.92%	+0.56%

UFOX vs. FDTS - Expense Ratio Comparison

UFOX has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than FDTS's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

UFOX vs. FDTS - Dividend Comparison

UFOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.39%, 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%
UFOX Defiance Connective Technologies ETF	0.39%	0.56%	0.79%	1.40%	1.63%	1.17%	0.99%	0.75%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UFOX and FDTS in my portfolio?

UFOX and FDTS have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UFOX or FDTS?

UFOX has higher volatility (13.40%) compared to FDTS (8.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UFOX dropped -33.90% vs FDTS's -51.26%.

Which ETF is better, UFOX or FDTS?

On 5-year performance, UFOX leads with 21.65% vs 10.78% for FDTS. On fees, UFOX is cheaper at 0.30% 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, UFOX or FDTS?

Over the 5-year period, UFOX has performed better with a 21.65% return vs 10.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UFOX or FDTS?

UFOX is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDTS.

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

FDTS has the higher dividend yield at 2.53%, compared with 0.39% for UFOX.

What is the main difference between UFOX and FDTS?

UFOX is categorized as Technology Equities, while FDTS is Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities. UFOX tracks BlueStar Connective Technologies Index, while FDTS tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Small Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for UFOX and 0.80% for FDTS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UFOX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.40 vs 2.37), 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.