BDVL vs. FGD

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF (BDVL) and First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD).

BDVL and FGD are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. BDVL is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI ACWI Minimum Volatility Index. It was launched on Sep 12, 2025. FGD is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index. It was launched on Nov 21, 2007. Both BDVL and FGD are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

BDVL vs. FGD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF (BDVL) and First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

BDVL vs. FGD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BDVL iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF	-0.63%	1.97%
FGD First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund	5.86%	5.87%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BDVL achieves a -0.63% return, which is significantly lower than FGD's 5.86% return.

BDVL

• 1D: 2.08%
• 1M: -5.45%
• YTD: -0.63%
• 6M: 1.36%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FGD

• 1D: 2.21%
• 1M: -5.56%
• YTD: 5.86%
• 6M: 13.83%
• 1Y: 39.89%
• 3Y*: 20.04%
• 5Y*: 11.06%
• 10Y*: 9.62%

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

BDVL vs. FGD - Expense Ratio Comparison

BDVL has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than FGD's 0.59% expense ratio.

FGD

First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund

BDVL

iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF

Return for Risk

BDVL vs. FGD — Risk / Return Rank

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

FGD

FGD Risk / Return Rank: 96
FGD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
FGD Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
FGD Omega Ratio Rank: 97
FGD Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
FGD Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

BDVL vs. FGD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF (BDVL) and First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BDVL	FGD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.66	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.75	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.53	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.25	+0.02

Correlation

The correlation between BDVL and FGD is 0.71, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

BDVL vs. FGD - Dividend Comparison

BDVL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.81%, less than FGD's 5.34% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BDVL iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF	2.81%	2.79%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FGD First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund	5.34%	5.62%	5.87%	6.44%	5.74%	5.35%	6.17%	5.19%	5.88%	4.01%	4.36%	5.07%

Drawdowns

BDVL vs. FGD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BDVL drawdown since its inception was -7.71%, smaller than the maximum FGD drawdown of -68.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BDVL and FGD.

Drawdown Indicators

	BDVL	FGD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.71%	-68.05%	+60.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-10.51%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-28.68%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-44.84%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.45%	-6.66%	+1.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.17%	-12.67%	+11.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.73%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BDVL	FGD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	6.62%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	10.04%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.29%	15.05%	-5.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.29%	14.92%	-5.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.29%	18.29%	-9.00%