FDTS vs IVV
First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FDTS or IVV?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. FDTS led over 1Y and 3Y, IVV over 5Y and the full window. FDTS is less concentrated, with 5.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.9%.
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 | FDTS | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $14M | $886.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.87% | 1.10% |
| Holdings | 414 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +23.21%Best | +13.39% |
| 1Y Return | +35.29%Best | +20.08% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.44%Best | +21.29% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.45% | +12.88%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.1% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -53.2% | -33.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,195 | $18,327Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 5.8%Best | 37.9% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 15, 2012 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 16, 2012 to Sep 4, 2026 (14.5 years).
FDTS vs IVV 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 14.5 years both funds cover.
FDTS vs IVV Performance
First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year FDTS returned +35.29% while IVV returned +20.08%. Year to date, FDTS is up 23.21% versus a gain of 13.39% for IVV.
Over three years, FDTS compounded at +25.44% per year against +21.29% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +11.45% and +12.88% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +13.26% annualized vs +7.34%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FDTS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.1% compared with 14.1% for IVV. 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 -53.2% for FDTS and -33.9% for IVV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FDTS charges 0.80% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $80 vs $3 annually, a gap of $77 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FDTS currently yields 2.87% against 1.10% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
0.1% of FDTS's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 0.1% of IVV's money is in holdings FDTS also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 398 positions we hold weights for in FDTS and 504 in IVV, against full books of 414 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 492 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for FDTS (99.1% of the fund), and 5 for FDTS that do not appear in IVV (1.4%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FDTS | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRESempra Energy | 0.09% | 0.08% | 0.01% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FDTS and IVV 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, FDTS or IVV?
FDTS has an expense ratio of 0.80% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $77 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FDTS or IVV?
Over the past year FDTS returned +35.29% vs +20.08% for IVV, so FDTS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), FDTS annualized +7.34% vs +13.26% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FDTS or IVV?
FDTS has been the more volatile fund at 18.1% annualized versus 14.1% for IVV. Worst drawdown: FDTS -53.2% vs IVV -33.9%.
Should I hold both FDTS and IVV?
FDTS and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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, FDTS or IVV?
FDTS yields 2.87% while IVV yields 1.10%, so FDTS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than FDTS?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. FDTS led over 1Y and 3Y, IVV over 5Y and the full window. FDTS is less concentrated, with 5.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.