XTL vs. FDTS

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

XTL (SPDR S&P Telecom ETF) and FDTS (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - XTL is a Communications Equities fund tracking the S&P Telecom Select Industry 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, XTL returned 16.27%/yr vs 10.96%/yr for FDTS. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XTL charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FDTS.

Performance

XTL vs. FDTS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Telecom ETF (XTL) 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, XTL achieves a 51.28% return, which is significantly higher than FDTS's 18.78% return. Over the past 10 years, XTL has outperformed FDTS with an annualized return of 16.27%, while FDTS has yielded a comparatively lower 10.96% annualized return.

XTL

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: -0.34%
• YTD: 51.28%
• 6M: 51.62%
• 1Y: 120.42%
• 3Y*: 46.01%
• 5Y*: 18.76%
• 10Y*: 16.27%

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)

XTL vs. FDTS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XTL SPDR S&P Telecom ETF	51.28%	44.95%	34.89%	-1.17%	-19.18%	21.58%	22.46%	12.51%	-6.60%	0.56%
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 XTL and FDTS is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.51
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 16, 2012	0.38

The correlation between XTL and FDTS shifts across timeframes, from 0.38 (all time) to 0.51 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XTL vs. FDTS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XTL	FDTS
Technology	62.7%	14.1%
Communication Services	35.0%	3.2%
Real Estate	2.3%	4.3%
Basic Materials	-	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	18.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.7%
Energy	-	4.0%
Financial Services	-	11.9%
Healthcare	-	2.8%
Industrials	-	22.2%
Utilities	-	2.7%

Return for Risk

XTL vs. FDTS — Risk / Return Rank

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

XTL

XTL Risk / Return Rank: 95
XTL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
XTL Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
XTL Omega Ratio Rank: 93
XTL Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
XTL 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.

XTL vs. FDTS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Telecom ETF (XTL) 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.

	XTL	FDTS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.88	2.37	+1.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.26	3.15	+1.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.42	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.95	3.43	+4.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	33.56	11.78	+21.78

XTL vs. FDTS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XTL Sharpe Ratio is 3.88, which is higher than the FDTS Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XTL 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

XTL vs. FDTS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XTL drawdown since its inception was -37.01%, smaller than the maximum FDTS drawdown of -51.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XTL and FDTS.

Drawdown Indicators

	XTL	FDTS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.01%	-51.26%	+14.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.70%	-12.61%	-2.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.79%	-13.19%	-9.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.01%	-33.11%	-3.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.01%	-51.26%	+14.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.72%	-4.77%	-1.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.76%	-10.64%	+0.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.48%	3.66%	-0.18%

Volatility

XTL vs. FDTS - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Telecom ETF (XTL) has a higher volatility of 11.43% compared to First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS) at 8.44%. This indicates that XTL'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

	XTL	FDTS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.43%	8.44%	+2.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.28%	15.54%	+8.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.13%	18.27%	+11.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.34%	29.42%	-4.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.66%	24.92%	-1.26%

XTL vs. FDTS - Expense Ratio Comparison

XTL has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than FDTS's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

XTL vs. FDTS - Dividend Comparison

XTL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.86%, 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%
XTL SPDR S&P Telecom ETF	0.86%	1.05%	0.62%	0.80%	0.74%	1.25%	0.88%	0.92%	1.90%	2.08%	1.11%	1.38%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XTL and FDTS in my portfolio?

XTL and FDTS have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XTL or FDTS?

XTL has higher volatility (11.43%) compared to FDTS (8.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XTL dropped -37.01% vs FDTS's -51.26%.

Which ETF is better, XTL or FDTS?

On 10-year performance, XTL leads with 16.27% vs 10.96% for FDTS. On fees, XTL is cheaper at 0.35% 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, XTL or FDTS?

Over the 10-year period, XTL has performed better with a 16.27% return vs 10.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XTL or FDTS?

XTL is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDTS.

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

FDTS has the higher dividend yield at 2.53%, compared with 0.86% for XTL.

What is the main difference between XTL and FDTS?

XTL is categorized as Communications Equities, while FDTS is Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities. XTL tracks S&P Telecom Select Industry Index, while FDTS tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Small Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XTL and 0.80% for FDTS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XTL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.88 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.