FDT ETF — First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund

First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT)

Updated October 16, 2026.

FDT is an ETF that tracks the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Developed Markets ex-US Index. its distribution rate is 2.34%, its trailing-12-month yield is 3.03%, its expense ratio is 0.80%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 71/100 (Generally safe). Total return is 169.0% over the past 15.5 years, 493.5 points behind SPY at 662.5%.

First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund is an ETF that tracks the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Developed Markets ex-US Index, which selects developed-market stocks outside the U.S. using First Trust's AlphaDEX methodology to identify stocks expected to generate positive risk-adjusted returns. The fund distributes quarterly with a modest current distribution rate and carries an expense ratio of 0.80%. It appeals to income-focused international investors seeking exposure to developed markets with a quantitative stock-selection approach.

FDT performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-16.

Total return is 169.0% over the past 15.5 years, 493.5 points behind SPY at 662.5%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 23.3%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 13.4%.

FDT key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

71 · Generally safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

1.66%

Issuer

First Trust

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

04/18/2011

Expense ratio

0.80%

Distribution rate

2.34%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

3.03%

Last close

$90.79 (as of 2026-10-16)

AUM

$1,467,020,894

Average volume

70570.0

Dividend

$0.532

Ex-dividend date

09/24/2026

Payment date

09/30/2026

Beta

1.12

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (2.34%) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield (3.03%) is the sum of split-adjusted cash distributions with ex-dates in the last 12 months, divided by the published price. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: First Trust or company page; Index: Nasdaq AlphaDEX Developed Markets ex-US Index; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

FDT risks and drawbacks

FDT's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are quarterly, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 13.4%.

Who may consider FDT — and who may not

FDT may suit someone looking for moderate current income with a quality tilt. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (FDT pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

More on FDT

• All tickers starting with F

Tagged: International, Dividend.

Frequently asked questions

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