FDT vs SPY
First Trust Developed Markets Ex-US AlphaDEX Fund vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, FDT or SPY?
Each has led over a different period.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. FDT led over 1Y and 3Y, SPY over 5Y and the full window. FDT is less concentrated, with 8.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.0%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | FDT | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $1.3B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.71% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 625 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +20.78%Best | +11.52% |
| 1Y Return | +32.48%Best | +17.48% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +27.28%Best | +20.62% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.37% | +12.73%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1% | 14.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -48.6% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,916 | $18,205Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 8.6%Best | 38.0% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 18, 2011 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 19, 2011 to Sep 10, 2026 (15.4 years).
FDT vs SPY growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 15.4 years both funds cover.
FDT vs SPY Performance
First Trust Developed Markets Ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year FDT returned +32.48% while SPY returned +17.48%. Year to date, FDT is up 20.78% versus a gain of 11.52% for SPY.
Over three years, FDT compounded at +27.28% per year against +20.62% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +12.37% and +12.73% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +12.60% annualized vs +5.64%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FDT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.1% compared with 14.3% for SPY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -48.6% for FDT and -34.1% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FDT charges 0.80% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $80 vs $9 annually, a gap of $71 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FDT currently yields 2.71% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 298 holdings in FDT and 504 in SPY, totalling 99.2% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 298 positions we hold weights for in FDT and 504 in SPY, against full books of 625 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 494 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for FDT (99.5% of the fund), and 6 for FDT that do not appear in SPY (1.9%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FDT and SPY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FDT or SPY?
FDT has an expense ratio of 0.80% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $71 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FDT or SPY?
Over the past year FDT returned +32.48% vs +17.48% for SPY, so FDT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), FDT annualized +5.64% vs +12.60% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FDT or SPY?
FDT has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 14.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: FDT -48.6% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both FDT and SPY?
FDT and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, FDT or SPY?
FDT yields 2.71% while SPY yields 0.98%, so FDT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than FDT?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. FDT led over 1Y and 3Y, SPY over 5Y and the full window. FDT is less concentrated, with 8.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.