FDT vs VXUS
First Trust Developed Markets Ex-US AlphaDEX Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, FDT or VXUS?
Nearly the same fund. VXUS costs less.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FDT led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95.
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 | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.3B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.71% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 625 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +19.52%Best | +13.44% |
| 1Y Return | +31.26%Best | +21.98% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.10%Best | +20.89% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.46%Best | +9.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -48.6% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,988Best | $15,499 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 18, 2011 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 19, 2011 to Sep 25, 2026 (15.4 years).
FDT vs VXUS 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 VXUS Performance
First Trust Developed Markets Ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FDT returned +31.26% while VXUS returned +21.98%. Year to date, FDT is up 19.52% versus a gain of 13.44% for VXUS.
Over three years, FDT compounded at +28.10% per year against +20.89% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +12.46% and +9.16% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, FDT has the edge at +5.55% annualized vs +4.60%.
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 15.1% for VXUS. 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 -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FDT charges 0.80% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $80 vs $5 annually, a gap of $75 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FDT currently yields 2.71% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 60.8% of FDT's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
188 positions in common, counted across the 298 positions we hold weights for in FDT and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 625 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FDT | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 0.90% | 1.41% | 0.51% |
| ASML:ASASML Holding NV - Ordinary Shares | 0.13% | 1.42% | 1.29% |
| 402340:KRSk Square Co., Ltd. | 0.96% | 0.14% | 0.82% |
| 9984:JPSoftbank Corp | 0.70% | 0.26% | 0.44% |
| 1888:HKKingboard Laminates Holdings Ltd | 0.94% | 0.01% | 0.93% |
| 148:HKKingboard Holdings Ltd | 0.80% | 0.01% | 0.79% |
| INVE.B:STInvestor Ab | 0.56% | 0.17% | 0.39% |
| 034020:KRDoosan Enerbility Co Ltd | 0.67% | 0.05% | 0.62% |
| NDA:BEAurubis Ag | 0.57% | 0.15% | 0.42% |
| 012330:KRHyundai Mobis Co Ltd | 0.65% | 0.04% | 0.61% |
60.8% of FDT is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FDT or VXUS?
FDT has an expense ratio of 0.80% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $75 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FDT or VXUS?
Over the past year FDT returned +31.26% vs +21.98% for VXUS, so FDT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), FDT annualized +5.55% vs +4.60% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FDT or VXUS?
FDT has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 15.1% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: FDT -48.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both FDT and VXUS?
FDT and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between FDT and VXUS?
At least 60.8% of FDT's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 188 positions in common, counted across the 298 positions we hold weights for in FDT and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, FDT or VXUS?
FDT yields 2.71% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so FDT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than FDT?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. FDT led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.