AIQ vs. FDL

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

AIQ (Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - AIQ is a Artificial Intelligence fund tracking the Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AIQ returned 15.35%/yr vs 13.96%/yr for FDL. Their 0.34 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. AIQ charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for FDL.

Performance

AIQ vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ) and First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AIQ achieves a 22.61% return, which is significantly higher than FDL's 18.60% return.

AIQ

• 1D: -1.22%
• 1M: -2.32%
• 6M: 26.29%
• YTD: 22.61%
• 1Y: 41.31%
• 3Y*: 30.20%
• 5Y*: 15.35%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 19.30%

FDL

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: 4.47%
• 6M: 5.75%
• YTD: 18.60%
• 1Y: 26.71%
• 3Y*: 19.02%
• 5Y*: 13.96%
• 10Y*: 11.08%
• ALL TIME*: 8.95%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AIQ Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF	$129.06M	$124.87M	$165.16M
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	$48.97M	$49.30M	$42.41M

AIQ vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
AIQ Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF	22.61%	31.89%	24.11%	55.39%	-36.44%	17.09%	52.88%	39.94%	-14.05%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	18.60%	14.79%	17.98%	2.94%	6.66%	26.10%	-4.30%	24.41%	-1.19%

Correlation

The correlation between AIQ and FDL is -0.22, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.22
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.11
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 16, 2018	0.34

The correlation between AIQ and FDL shifts across timeframes, from -0.22 (1 year) to 0.34 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

AIQ vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AIQ	FDL
Technology	78.8%	4.3%
Communication Services	10.1%	11.2%
Consumer Cyclical	6.6%	4.4%
Industrials	3.6%	3.6%
Financial Services	0.5%	13.7%
Healthcare	0.4%	11.7%
Basic Materials	-	0.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	24.3%
Energy	-	11.1%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	15.4%

Return for Risk

AIQ vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

AIQ

AIQ Risk / Return Rank: 48
AIQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
AIQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
AIQ Omega Ratio Rank: 48
AIQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
AIQ Martin Ratio Rank: 47

FDL

FDL Risk / Return Rank: 89
FDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
FDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
FDL Omega Ratio Rank: 83
FDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
FDL Martin Ratio Rank: 88

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

AIQ vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ) and First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AIQ	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.44	2.26	-0.82
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.94	3.41	-1.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.39	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.06	6.28	-4.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.07	14.78	-8.72

AIQ vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AIQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is lower than the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AIQ and FDL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AIQ vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIQ drawdown since its inception was -44.66%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIQ and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIQ	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.66%	-65.93%	+21.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.19%	-4.27%	-15.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.35%	-12.24%	-14.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.66%	-16.46%	-28.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.40%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.09%	-1.60%	-9.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.82%	-9.59%	-0.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.83%	1.81%	+5.02%

Volatility

AIQ vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ) has a higher volatility of 10.59% compared to First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) at 4.48%. This indicates that AIQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FDL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AIQ	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.59%	4.48%	+6.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.10%	8.63%	+16.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.84%	11.88%	+16.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.52%	14.43%	+12.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.02%	17.16%	+8.86%

AIQ vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

AIQ has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

AIQ vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

AIQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.07%, less than FDL's 3.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIQ Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF	0.07%	0.18%	0.14%	0.16%	0.56%	0.15%	0.50%	0.51%	0.51%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	3.58%	4.04%	4.96%	4.58%	3.58%	4.59%	4.48%	3.75%	3.97%	3.18%	2.93%	3.65%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AIQ and FDL in my portfolio?

AIQ and FDL have a correlation of -0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AIQ or FDL?

AIQ has higher volatility (10.59%) compared to FDL (4.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIQ dropped -44.66% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, AIQ or FDL?

On 5-year performance, AIQ leads with 15.35% vs 13.96% for FDL. On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.43% per year. On volatility, FDL has been the lower-risk option at 4.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AIQ or FDL?

Over the 5-year period, AIQ has performed better with a 15.35% return vs 13.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AIQ or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.43% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for AIQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AIQ or FDL?

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.58%, compared with 0.07% for AIQ.

What is the main difference between AIQ and FDL?

AIQ is categorized as Artificial Intelligence, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. AIQ tracks Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index, while FDL tracks Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for AIQ and 0.43% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 1.44), 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.