First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund

FDT

Market cap $1.14B

First Trust Developed Markets Ex-US AlphaDEX ETF (FDT) offers a diversified, 300-stock portfolio focused on value or growth, with strong fundamentals and dividend growth. FDT emphasizes Japan and industrials, delivering higher earnings and sales growth than its benchmark, but exhibits high volatility and deep drawdowns. FDT has outperformed IDEV and peers, yet lags in Sharpe ratio due to risk profile and carries the highest expense ratio (0.80%).

International ETFs like VEA, EZU & EEM outshone U.S. peers in 2025 as cheaper valuations, diversified exposure, and stimulus measures drove substantial gains.

International ETFs like FDT, IDV, FDTS, EFAS & FLEU soared as investors pivot from pricey and uncertain policy-driven U.S. markets to undervalued international plays.

First Trust Developed Markets Ex-US AlphaDEX ETF (FDT) is rated Buy, driven by strong returns and unique sector allocations versus peers. FDT outperforms international peers, aided by exposure to Industrials, Materials, and mid-cap growth/value stocks. Risks include high management fees and concentrated country exposure in Asia, but reasonable valuations and dividend growth support further upside.