ADX vs. DLN

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

ADX (Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc.) and DLN (WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF) are both funds - ADX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Adams Funds, while DLN is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree LargeCap Dividend Index. ADX is actively managed, while DLN is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ADX returned 18.02%/yr vs 12.58%/yr for DLN. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ADX charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for DLN.

Performance

ADX vs. DLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc. (ADX) and WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF (DLN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ADX achieves a 10.92% return, which is significantly higher than DLN's 9.21% return. Over the past 10 years, ADX has outperformed DLN with an annualized return of 18.02%, while DLN has yielded a comparatively lower 12.58% annualized return.

ADX

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: 1.30%
• YTD: 10.92%
• 6M: 11.93%
• 1Y: 29.68%
• 3Y*: 28.15%
• 5Y*: 16.71%
• 10Y*: 18.02%

DLN

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 1.76%
• YTD: 9.21%
• 6M: 9.88%
• 1Y: 21.09%
• 3Y*: 17.83%
• 5Y*: 12.19%
• 10Y*: 12.58%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ADX vs. DLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ADX Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc.	10.92%	26.03%	28.31%	31.49%	-19.82%	29.69%	17.28%	36.75%	-3.58%	29.61%
DLN WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF	9.21%	15.53%	19.66%	9.95%	-3.78%	25.60%	4.59%	28.91%	-5.82%	18.22%

Correlation

The correlation between ADX and DLN is 0.53, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2006	0.83

Over the past year, the correlation between ADX and DLN has dropped to 0.53 - well below their long-term average of 0.83, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

ADX vs. DLN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ADX

ADX Risk / Return Rank: 62
ADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
ADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
ADX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
ADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
ADX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

DLN

DLN Risk / Return Rank: 80
DLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
DLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
DLN Omega Ratio Rank: 79
DLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
DLN Martin Ratio Rank: 81

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ADX vs. DLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc. (ADX) and WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF (DLN). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	ADX	DLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	2.37	-0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.05	3.39	-0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.43	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.93	3.47	-0.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.48	14.64	+0.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ADX vs. DLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ADX Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is comparable to the DLN Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ADX and DLN, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ADX	DLN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.14	2.37	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97	0.92	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.00	0.78	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.53	-0.25

Drawdowns

ADX vs. DLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ADX drawdown since its inception was -71.60%, which is greater than DLN's maximum drawdown of -57.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ADX and DLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	ADX	DLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.60%	-57.84%	-13.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.16%	-6.10%	-4.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.29%	-13.71%	-4.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.07%	-16.26%	-8.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.17%	-35.82%	-1.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.97%	-1.40%	-1.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.13%	-7.52%	-14.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	1.44%	+0.48%

Volatility

ADX vs. DLN - Volatility Comparison

Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc. (ADX) has a higher volatility of 3.74% compared to WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF (DLN) at 2.37%. This indicates that ADX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DLN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ADX	DLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.74%	2.37%	+1.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.77%	6.90%	+3.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.93%	8.94%	+4.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.31%	13.28%	+4.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.03%	16.17%	+1.86%

ADX vs. DLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

ADX has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than DLN's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

ADX vs. DLN - Dividend Comparison

ADX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.52%, more than DLN's 1.81% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ADX Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc.	7.52%	7.93%	12.38%	7.34%	7.36%	15.35%	6.54%	9.00%	15.85%	9.18%	7.79%	7.17%
DLN WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF	1.81%	1.90%	2.00%	2.43%	2.53%	2.01%	2.66%	2.51%	2.90%	2.33%	2.64%	2.80%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ADX and DLN in my portfolio?

ADX and DLN have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ADX or DLN?

ADX has higher volatility (3.74%) compared to DLN (2.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ADX dropped -71.60% vs DLN's -57.84%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 2.14), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.