URNM vs. FDTS

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

URNM (Sprott Uranium Miners ETF) and FDTS (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - URNM is a Uranium fund tracking the VettaFi Global Uranium Miners 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, URNM returned 12.61%/yr vs 10.78%/yr for FDTS. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. URNM charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FDTS.

Performance

URNM vs. FDTS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Uranium Miners ETF (URNM) 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, URNM achieves a -0.56% return, which is significantly lower than FDTS's 18.78% return.

URNM

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: -12.67%
• YTD: -0.56%
• 6M: -0.53%
• 1Y: 30.38%
• 3Y*: 20.14%
• 5Y*: 12.61%
• 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)

URNM vs. FDTS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
URNM Sprott Uranium Miners ETF	-0.56%	40.78%	-14.13%	57.80%	-11.86%	78.32%	68.36%	4.05%
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%	4.82%

Correlation

The correlation between URNM and FDTS is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.41
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2019	0.39

URNM vs. FDTS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	URNM	FDTS
Energy	97.7%	4.0%
Basic Materials	2.3%	11.3%
Communication Services	-	3.2%
Consumer Cyclical	-	18.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.7%
Financial Services	-	11.9%
Healthcare	-	2.8%
Industrials	-	22.2%
Real Estate	-	4.3%
Technology	-	14.1%
Utilities	-	2.7%

Return for Risk

URNM vs. FDTS — Risk / Return Rank

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

URNM

URNM Risk / Return Rank: 22
URNM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
URNM Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
URNM Omega Ratio Rank: 23
URNM Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
URNM Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

URNM vs. FDTS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	URNM	FDTS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.60	2.37	-1.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.18	3.15	-1.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.42	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.82	3.43	-2.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.00	11.78	-9.78

URNM vs. FDTS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current URNM Sharpe Ratio is 0.60, which is lower than the FDTS Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of URNM 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

URNM vs. FDTS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum URNM drawdown since its inception was -50.78%, roughly equal to the maximum FDTS drawdown of -51.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for URNM and FDTS.

Drawdown Indicators

	URNM	FDTS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.78%	-51.26%	+0.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-38.72%	-12.61%	-26.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-50.78%	-13.19%	-37.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.78%	-33.11%	-17.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-51.26%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-35.02%	-4.77%	-30.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.09%	-10.64%	-7.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	15.78%	3.66%	+12.12%

Volatility

URNM vs. FDTS - Volatility Comparison

Sprott Uranium Miners ETF (URNM) has a higher volatility of 17.40% compared to First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS) at 8.44%. This indicates that URNM'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

	URNM	FDTS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.40%	8.44%	+8.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	41.84%	15.54%	+26.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	52.48%	18.27%	+34.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	48.58%	29.42%	+19.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	47.04%	24.92%	+22.12%

URNM vs. FDTS - Expense Ratio Comparison

URNM has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than FDTS's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

URNM vs. FDTS - Dividend Comparison

URNM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.19%, more 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%
URNM Sprott Uranium Miners ETF	3.19%	3.18%	3.18%	3.63%	0.00%	6.70%	2.57%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both URNM and FDTS in my portfolio?

URNM and FDTS have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, URNM or FDTS?

URNM has higher volatility (17.40%) compared to FDTS (8.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, URNM dropped -50.78% vs FDTS's -51.26%.

Which ETF is better, URNM or FDTS?

On 5-year performance, URNM leads with 12.61% vs 10.78% for FDTS. On fees, FDTS is cheaper at 0.80% 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, URNM or FDTS?

Over the 5-year period, URNM has performed better with a 12.61% return vs 10.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, URNM or FDTS?

FDTS is cheaper with a 0.80% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for URNM.

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

URNM has the higher dividend yield at 3.19%, compared with 2.53% for FDTS.

What is the main difference between URNM and FDTS?

URNM is categorized as Uranium, while FDTS is Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities. URNM tracks VettaFi Global Uranium Miners 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: 0.85% for URNM and 0.80% for FDTS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDTS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 0.60), 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.