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

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

FDT is an ETF that tracks the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Developed Markets ex-US Index. As of August 20, 2026, its distribution rate is 3.31%, its trailing-12-month yield is 2.78%, its expense ratio is 0.80%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 71/100 (Generally safe). Fund total return is 179.4% over the past 15.3 years, 487.0 points behind SPY at 666.4%.

At the current 3.31% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $331 per year, or $27.58 per month on an equivalent basis. Actual quarterly payments vary.

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

Data as of August 20, 2026.

Fund total return is 179.4% over the past 15.3 years, 487.0 points behind SPY at 666.4%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 13.4%.

FDT key facts

Data as of August 20, 2026.

Distribution Safety Score™

71 · Generally safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

2.35%

Issuer

First Trust

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

04/18/2011

Expense ratio

0.80%

Distribution rate

3.31%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

2.78%

Last close

$94.57

AUM

$1,297,804,097

Average volume

57943.0

Last dividend

$0.7820

Ex-dividend date

06/25/2026

Payment date

06/30/2026

Beta

1.1

P/E ratio

11.8144

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (3.31%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (2.78%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. We show a 30-day SEC yield when the fund publishes one. Schwab and other issuers may report a TTM distribution yield or SEC yield on a different date — all can be valid; they are not interchangeable. Fund total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is what the fund did, not your personal gain/loss. Figures below use Dividend Vision data as of August 20, 2026.

Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology · SEC yield

Sources and review

Data as of August 20, 2026.

Primary sources: First Trust fund 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.

Frequently asked questions

More funds from First Trust.