Keep tabs on your favorite ETFs with a personalized weekly tracker. Create a Watchlist now →
FTAvsFTDSETF Comparison
First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund ETF (FTA) belongs to the US Large Cap Value segment. First Trust Dividend Strength ETF (FTDS) is part of the US High Dividend segment. FTA's top 3 sector exposures are Financials, Energy and Utilities. In contrast, FTDS's top sector exposures are Financials, Industrials and Energy. FTA is less expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.58%, versus 0.88% for FTDS. FTA is up 6.68% year-to-date (YTD) with -$5M in YTD flows. FTDS performs worse with 6.52% YTD performance, and +$39K in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of FTA and FTDS below, and assess how they stack up in performance, liquidity, risk, exposure, holdings, and more, helping you select the best ETF for your investments.
FTA vs FTDS performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | FTA FTDS | -3.18%-4.51% | +5.89%+4.76% | +6.68%+6.52% | +24.15%+20.91% | +53.33%+56.55% | +60.37%+42.64% |
| Flows | FTA FTDS | +$5M- | -$5M+$3M | -$5M+$39K | -$93M+$75K | -$348M-$2M | -$77M+$5M |
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | FTA FTDS | +11.09%+13.68% | +17.51%+18.22% | +14.91%+16.02% | +16.76%+18.07% |
| Max drawdown | FTA FTDS | -3.55%-4.68% | -13.18%-12.92% | -18.80%-17.92% | -19.87%-23.56% |
| Max drawdown duration | FTA FTDS | 9d9d | 43d37d | 269d239d | 285d854d |
FTA | FTDS | |
Last sale 3/12/2026 at 1:30 PM | $91.15 | $59.62 |
| Previous close 03/12/2026 | $91.83 | $60.04 |
| Consolidated volume 03/12/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Create an account to view replication metrics
FTA | FTDS | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
FTA | FTDS | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $91.15 | $59.62 |
| 1D performance | -0.74% | -0.71% |
| AuM | $1.25 B | $30.02 M |
| E/R | 0.58% | 0.88% |
FTA | FTDS | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Passive | Passive |
| Provider | First Trust | First Trust |
| Benchmark | NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Value Index | The Dividend Strength Index |
| N° of holdings | 180 | 50 |
| Asset class | Equities | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | May 8, 2007 | December 5, 2006 |
| ESG | No | No |
Countries
Sectors
Diversification
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
Top 15 holdings
How have the FTA and FTDS ETFs performed in 2026?
As of March 11, 2026, FTA is up 6.68% year-to-date (YTD), while FTDS has returned 6.52%. That puts FTA better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: FTA or FTDS?
Year-to-date, the FTA ETF saw -$5M in flows, compared to +$39K for FTDS.
Which ETF is more volatile: FTA or FTDS?
Over the past year, FTA had a volatility of 17.51%, while FTDS experienced 18.22%.
Which ETF is bigger: FTA or FTDS?
As of March 11, 2026, FTA holds $1.25 B in assets under management (AUM), while FTDS manages $30.02 M.
What sectors do the FTA and FTDS ETFs invest in?
FTA leans toward sectors like Financials, Energy and Utilities. Meanwhile, FTDS focuses on Financials, Industrials and Energy.
What are the top holdings of the FTA ETF and FTDS ETF?
FTA top holdings include SCHLUMBERGER, CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS and EXXON. FTDS holds in its top three: COTERRA ENERGY, DEVON ENERGY and DIAMONDBACK ENERGY.
Which ETF is more diversified: FTA or FTDS?
FTA holds 186 securities with 14.45% of its assets in the top 15. FTDS has 50 securities and a top 15 weight of 31.55%.
Calamos Investments Powers the Next Phase of the Autocallable Revolution
Join J.P. Morgan’s Bram Kaplan, Head of Americas Equity Derivatives Strategy and Matt Kaufman from Calamos Investments as they dive into the growing global opportunity in autocallable income—an increasingly dominant strategy within structured products, now available through ETFs.
Accepted for 1 CE Credit
