The First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) is an international equity ETF with $1.09 billion in assets under management. It aims to track the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Developed Markets Ex-US Index, employing a unique stock selection process based on growth and value factors. FDT's expense ratio is 0.80%. The fund offers exposure to developed markets outside the U.S., potentially diversifying a portfolio, but its may be worth researching higher expense ratio and sector concentrations.
First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) ETF — Price, Holdings & Analysis
The First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) is an international equity ETF with $1.09 billion in assets under management. It aims to track the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Developed Markets Ex-US Index, employing a unique stock selection process based on growth and value factors. FDT's expense ratio is 0.80%. The fund offers exposure to developed markets outside the U.S., potentially diversifying a portfolio, but its may be worth researching higher expense ratio and sector concentrations.
ETF Overview
The First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund is an exchange-traded fund. The investment objective of the Fund is to seek investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield, before the Fund's fees and expenses, of an equity index called the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Developed Markets Ex-US Index.
FDT seeks to replicate the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Developed Markets Ex-US Index, which employs a methodology that selects and weights stocks based on both growth and value factors. This approach aims to identify companies with strong potential for capital appreciation. The fund's holdings are primarily in developed markets excluding the United States, offering geographical diversification. The top holdings include SK Square (1.37%), Hyundai Motor Co (1.17%), and SK Hynix Inc (1.03%). Sector allocation is heavily weighted towards Industrials (29.8%), followed by Basic Materials (17.8%) and Consumer Cyclical (12.7%). This sector concentration may make the fund more sensitive to economic cycles and industry-specific risks within these sectors. FDT is suitable for investors seeking exposure to international developed markets with a focus on companies exhibiting both growth and value characteristics.
Risk Metrics
FDT carries several risks typical of international equity ETFs. Its 0.80% expense ratio is relatively high, which can create a drag on returns, especially in periods of lower market performance. The fund's beta of 1.14 indicates that it is more volatile than the overall market. Sector concentration is another risk factor, with nearly 30% of the fund allocated to Industrials and a significant portion in Basic Materials; downturns in these sectors could disproportionately impact FDT's performance. Country exposure is also concentrated, with Japan (28.4%) and South Korea (16.3%) representing a significant portion of the portfolio, making it vulnerable to economic and political events in those regions. Investors should carefully consider these factors before investing.
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Risk Metrics
Beta: 1.14
Questions & Answers
What is FDT and what does it track?
The First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) is an exchange-traded fund that aims to track the investment results of the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Developed Markets Ex-US Index. This index employs a proprietary methodology to select and weight stocks from developed markets outside the United States based on growth and value factors. The fund's objective is to provide investors with exposure to a diversified portfolio of international equities, potentially offering diversification benefits and capital appreciation. As of 2026-03-15, FDT has $1.09 billion in assets under management and holds 311 stocks.
What is the expense ratio for FDT?
The expense ratio for FDT is 0.80%. This means that for every $10,000 invested in the fund, $80 is used to cover the fund's operating expenses annually. While this provides access to a diversified portfolio of international equities, the expense ratio is higher than the category average for international equity ETFs, which is approximately 0.44%. this may be worth researching higher expense ratio when evaluating FDT's potential returns.
What are the top holdings in FDT?
As of 2026-03-15, the top holdings in the First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) are: 1) SK Square (402340.KS) at 1.37%, 2) Hyundai Motor Co (005380.KS) at 1.17%, 3) SK Hynix Inc (000660.KS) at 1.03%, 4) Hyosung Heavy Industries Co Ltd Ordinary Shares (298040.KS) at 0.89%, and 5) Kia Corp (000270.KS) at 0.85%. These holdings represent a concentrated portion of the fund's assets, primarily in South Korean companies. Changes in the performance of these companies can significantly impact the overall performance of FDT.
Is FDT a good long-term investment?
Whether FDT is a suitable long-term investment depends on an individual's investment goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. FDT offers exposure to developed markets outside the U.S. and uses a selection process based on growth and value factors. The fund's beta of 1.14 suggests it may be more volatile than the broader market. Investors should also consider the fund's expense ratio of 0.80% and sector concentrations when evaluating its long-term potential. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How does FDT compare to similar ETFs?
FDT distinguishes itself through its AlphaDEX methodology, which selects stocks based on growth and value factors, differentiating it from market-cap-weighted international equity ETFs. Its expense ratio of 0.80% is higher than some competitors, which may offer similar exposure at a lower cost. As of 2026-03-15, FDT has $1.09 billion in AUM, placing it among the larger ETFs in its category. Investors should compare FDT's performance, expense ratio, and investment strategy against other international equity ETFs to determine the best fit for their portfolio.
Does FDT pay dividends?
As of 2026-03-15, the First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) has a dividend yield of 0.00%. This indicates that the fund is not currently distributing any dividends to its shareholders. Investors seeking income from their investments may want to consider other ETFs that offer a higher dividend yield. However, FDT's primary focus is on capital appreciation through its unique stock selection process.