AVL vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AVL (Direxion Daily AVGO Bull 2X Shares) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - AVL is a Leveraged Equities fund actively managed by Direxion, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. AVL is actively managed, while FDL is passively managed. Over the past year, AVL returned 167.73% vs 23.67% for FDL. At a correlation of -0.05, they often move in opposite directions. AVL charges 1.04%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

AVL vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily AVGO Bull 2X Shares (AVL) 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, AVL achieves a 72.10% return, which is significantly higher than FDL's 13.33% return.

AVL

• 1D: -0.97%
• 1M: 29.70%
• YTD: 72.10%
• 6M: 38.64%
• 1Y: 167.73%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FDL

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: -0.26%
• YTD: 13.33%
• 6M: 14.76%
• 1Y: 23.67%
• 3Y*: 18.97%
• 5Y*: 12.51%
• 10Y*: 11.24%

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

AVL vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AVL Direxion Daily AVGO Bull 2X Shares	72.10%	54.38%	39.90%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	13.33%	14.79%	-1.72%

Correlation

The correlation between AVL and FDL is -0.16, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 11, 2024	-0.05

The correlation between AVL and FDL shifts across timeframes, from -0.16 (1 year) to -0.05 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

AVL vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVL	FDL
Technology	100.0%	1.1%
Basic Materials	-	0.3%
Communication Services	-	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	-	3.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	14.7%
Energy	-	27.3%
Financial Services	-	15.1%
Healthcare	-	16.8%
Industrials	-	3.8%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	6.5%

Return for Risk

AVL vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVL

AVL Risk / Return Rank: 53
AVL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
AVL Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
AVL Omega Ratio Rank: 50
AVL Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
AVL Martin Ratio Rank: 43

FDL

FDL Risk / Return Rank: 70
FDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
FDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
FDL Omega Ratio Rank: 59
FDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
FDL Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

AVL vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily AVGO Bull 2X Shares (AVL) 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.

	AVL	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.97	2.11	-0.14
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.54	3.25	-0.71
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.37	-0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.14	5.56	-2.42
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.02	13.56	-6.54
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AVL vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVL Sharpe Ratio is 1.97, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVL 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AVL	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.97	2.11	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.88	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.66	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.18	0.45	+0.72

Drawdowns

AVL vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVL drawdown since its inception was -70.63%, which is greater than FDL's maximum drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVL and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVL	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.63%	-65.93%	-4.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-53.69%	-4.27%	-49.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-12.24%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-16.46%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.40%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.97%	-2.18%	+1.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-23.38%	-9.66%	-13.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	24.00%	1.75%	+22.25%

Volatility

AVL vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily AVGO Bull 2X Shares (AVL) has a higher volatility of 23.46% compared to First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) at 2.85%. This indicates that AVL'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

	AVL	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	23.46%	2.85%	+20.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	61.68%	7.87%	+53.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	85.76%	11.28%	+74.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	105.25%	14.31%	+90.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	105.25%	17.11%	+88.14%

AVL vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVL has a 1.04% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVL vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

AVL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 17.16%, more than FDL's 3.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVL Direxion Daily AVGO Bull 2X Shares	17.16%	29.04%	0.22%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	3.68%	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 AVL and FDL in my portfolio?

AVL and FDL have a correlation of -0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVL or FDL?

AVL has higher volatility (23.46%) compared to FDL (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVL dropped -70.63% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, AVL or FDL?

On 1-year performance, AVL leads with 167.73% vs 23.67% for FDL. On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, FDL has been the lower-risk option at 2.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVL or FDL?

Over the 1-year period, AVL has performed better with a 167.73% return vs 23.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVL or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 1.04% for AVL.

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

AVL has the higher dividend yield at 17.16%, compared with 3.68% for FDL.

What is the main difference between AVL and FDL?

AVL is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 1.04% for AVL and 0.45% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.97), 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.