First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS) Fund Overview
Educational signal · not a buy or sell recommendation · How to read this
Beta 1.08: the stock has moved about 8% more than the S&P 500.
For informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Machine-generated analysis by Stock Expert AI — model gemini-2.0-flash, generated Mar 18, 2026. Editorial oversight is systemic, not page-by-page. Editorially accountable: Sedat ANAK, Founder and Editor-in-Chief. Data sources: Financial Modeling Prep, Yahoo Finance, SEC EDGAR
Quick AnswerFirst Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS) trades at $72.19. Sector: Financials.
Price as of · Last analyzed: Mar 18, 2026Analyst Coverage for FDTS: FDTS does not currently have published analyst price targets in our coverage universe. This is common for smaller-cap names with limited Wall Street coverage.
First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS) Financial Services Profile
First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund is an ETF targeting developed markets outside the U.S., employing the Nasdaq AlphaDEX methodology to select and weight small-cap stocks based on growth factors, offering investors exposure to international small-cap equities within the asset management sector.
What Is the Investment Thesis for FDTS?
FDTS presents a targeted investment in developed market ex-US small-cap equities, appealing to investors seeking international diversification. The fund's AlphaDEX methodology offers a potentially higher return profile compared to traditional market-cap weighted indices. With a beta of 1.08, FDTS exhibits market-correlated volatility. Key to FDTS's performance is the continued growth of developed economies and the outperformance of small-cap stocks within these markets. However, investors may want to evaluate the risks associated with international investing, including currency fluctuations and political instability. The fund's success hinges on the sustained effectiveness of the AlphaDEX methodology in identifying and weighting high-potential stocks.
Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis
FDTS Key Highlights
FDTS's investment objective is to replicate the price and yield of the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Developed Markets Ex-US Small Cap Index.
- The fund focuses on small-capitalization companies in developed markets, excluding the United States.
- FDTS employs the AlphaDEX stock selection process, which aims to identify stocks with superior growth potential.
- As an ETF, FDTS offers daily liquidity and transparency.
- The fund's market cap is $0.01 billion, indicating a relatively small size within the ETF market.
Who Are FDTS's Competitors?
FDTS is benchmarked below against 8 industry peers on price, market cap, and our AI MoonshotScore.
| Company | Price | Change | Market Cap | MoonshotScore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDVG iMGP Berkshire Dividend Growth ETF | $14.74 | +0.68% | $10.3M | — |
| CLIX ProShares - Long Online/Short Stores ETF | $56.94 | +1.45% | $6.56M | — |
| EAOK iShares ESG Aware 30/70 Conservative Allocation ETF | $28.16 | -0.02% | $8.53M | — |
| EMIF iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF | $27.43 | +4.22% | $7.62M | — |
| EUDV ProShares - MSCI Europe Dividend Growers ETF | $51.17 | 0.00% | $7.79M | — |
| BLK BlackRock, Inc. | $1066.45 | +0.64% | $165B | 51 5-pillar |
| BX Blackstone Inc. | $112.52 | +0.69% | $136B | 68 5-pillar |
| APOS Apollo Global Management, Inc. | $25.59 | 0.00% | $74.8B | 56 5-pillar |
AI Score by Stock Expert AI · Price data: FMP / Yahoo Finance
What Are FDTS's Key Strengths?
Exposure to developed markets ex-U.S. small-cap equities.
- AlphaDEX methodology for stock selection.
- Diversified portfolio.
- Low expense ratio.
What Are FDTS's Weaknesses?
Small market capitalization.
- Dependence on the performance of the AlphaDEX methodology.
- Vulnerability to currency fluctuations.
- Concentration in developed markets.
What Are the Key Risks for FDTS?
Economic slowdown in developed markets negatively impacting small-cap companies.
- Currency fluctuations reducing returns for U.S. investors.
- Geopolitical risks and political instability in developed markets.
- Underperformance of the AlphaDEX methodology compared to traditional market-cap weighted indices.
What Threats Does FDTS Face?
- Economic downturn in developed markets.
- Increased competition from other ETFs.
- Changes in the AlphaDEX methodology.
- Geopolitical risks.
What Are FDTS's Competitive Advantages?
- Established AlphaDEX methodology for stock selection and weighting.
- Brand recognition and reputation of First Trust as an ETF provider.
- Diversified portfolio of small-cap stocks in developed markets.
- Low expense ratio compared to actively managed funds.
What Does FDTS Do?
The First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS) is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) designed to track the performance of the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Developed Markets Ex-US Small Cap Index. Launched with the goal of providing investors with exposure to small-capitalization companies in developed markets, excluding the United States, FDTS employs a unique stock selection and weighting methodology. The fund's underlying index utilizes the AlphaDEX stock selection process, which aims to identify stocks with superior growth potential based on various fundamental factors, including sales growth, price appreciation, and other metrics. FDTS offers investors a way to diversify their portfolios internationally, specifically targeting the small-cap segment, which can offer different growth characteristics compared to larger, more established companies. The fund's investment strategy focuses on developed markets, providing exposure to economies with established financial systems and regulatory frameworks. By excluding U.S. equities, FDTS allows investors to gain exposure to international markets without overlapping with domestic holdings. The fund's performance is closely tied to the performance of its underlying index and the overall health of the developed markets it targets. As an ETF, FDTS provides daily liquidity and transparency, allowing investors to easily buy and sell shares on the open market.
What Products and Services Does FDTS Offer?
- Invests in a diversified portfolio of small-cap stocks in developed markets outside the U.S.
- Tracks the performance of the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Developed Markets Ex-US Small Cap Index.
- Employs the AlphaDEX methodology to select and weight stocks based on growth factors.
- Provides investors with exposure to international small-cap equities.
- Offers a convenient and cost-effective way to diversify portfolios internationally.
- Provides daily liquidity and transparency as an exchange-traded fund.
How Does FDTS Make Money?
- Generates revenue through management fees charged on assets under management (AUM).
- Fees are calculated as a percentage of the fund's net asset value (NAV).
- The fund's profitability is directly linked to its ability to attract and retain investor capital.
What Industry Does FDTS Operate In?
FDTS operates within the asset management industry, specifically in the exchange-traded fund (ETF) segment. The ETF market has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by increasing investor demand for low-cost, diversified investment vehicles. The fund competes with other ETFs that focus on international small-cap equities. The competitive landscape includes both broad-based international ETFs and those with more specific regional or thematic focuses. Market trends include a growing emphasis on factor-based investing, where funds like FDTS use specific criteria to select and weight stocks.
Who Are FDTS's Key Customers?
- Retail investors seeking international diversification.
- Financial advisors looking for cost-effective investment solutions for their clients.
- Institutional investors seeking exposure to small-cap equities in developed markets.
- Pension funds and endowments seeking to diversify their portfolios.
Research confidence
Thin evidence — scoring coverage unknown. Treat this as a starting point, not a conclusion.
- ● Scoring coverage unknown
- ● Price is current
- ● No filing on record
- ● No analyst coverage
- ● This is an etf, not an operating company
MoonshotScore History
Recorded daily since 2026-08-23 · 42 snapshots
| 2026-08-23 | 47 |
| 2026-08-31 | 47 |
| 2026-09-08 | 47 |
| 2026-09-16 | 47 |
| 2026-09-24 | 47 |
| 2026-10-04 | 47 |
| 2026-10-05 | 47 |
What changed?
The score has stayed at 47.
Over the same 30 days the stock moved +0.8%.
FDTS Financials
Bull Case vs Bear Case
Bull Case
- Exposure to developed markets ex-U.S. small-cap equities.
- AlphaDEX methodology for stock selection.
- Diversified portfolio.
- Low expense ratio.
Bear Case
- Small market capitalization.
- Dependence on the performance of the AlphaDEX methodology.
- Vulnerability to currency fluctuations.
- Concentration in developed markets.
AI-generated arguments based on insider flow, news sentiment and technicals — not financial advice · March 2026
FDTS Latest News
No recent news available for FDTS.
FDTS Analyst Consensus
Consensus Rating
Aggregated Buy/Hold/Sell recommendations collected by Financial Modeling Prep for FDTS.
Price Targets
Wall Street price target analysis for FDTS.
FDTS MoonshotScore
MoonshotScore is Stock Expert AI's proprietary 0-100 research rating, not a buy or sell recommendation. No MoonshotScore is published for FDTS; grades run from A+ (80-100) to F (below 30).
First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund Financials Stock: Key Questions Answered
What are the main risks for FDTS?
The main risks for FDTS include economic slowdowns in developed markets, which could negatively impact the performance of small-cap companies. Currency fluctuations can also reduce returns for U.S. investors.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor.
Official Resources
MoonshotScore is not published for this security.
Data provided for informational purposes only.
- Small market capitalization may result in higher volatility.