BVAL vs. FDL

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

BVAL (Bluemonte Large Cap Value ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. BVAL is actively managed, while FDL is passively managed. Over the past year, BVAL returned 24.55% vs 27.65% for FDL. Their 0.46 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. BVAL charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for FDL.

Performance

BVAL vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Bluemonte Large Cap Value ETF (BVAL) 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, BVAL achieves a 13.76% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 18.16% return.

BVAL

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.45%
• 6M: 10.08%
• YTD: 13.76%
• 1Y: 24.55%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 24.63%

FDL

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 3.27%
• 6M: 9.50%
• YTD: 18.16%
• 1Y: 27.65%
• 3Y*: 18.28%
• 5Y*: 13.98%
• 10Y*: 11.09%
• ALL TIME*: 8.94%

*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)
BVAL Bluemonte Large Cap Value ETF	$744.55K	$643.98K	$1.01M
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	$52.24M	$50.06M	$42.95M

BVAL vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BVAL Bluemonte Large Cap Value ETF	13.76%	12.09%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	18.16%	8.71%

Correlation

The correlation between BVAL and FDL is 0.42, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2025	0.46

BVAL vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BVAL	FDL
Technology	23.6%	4.3%
Financial Services	16.3%	13.7%
Industrials	11.8%	3.6%
Healthcare	11.2%	11.7%
Consumer Cyclical	8.5%	4.4%
Consumer Defensive	7.6%	24.3%
Energy	5.8%	11.1%
Communication Services	4.9%	11.2%
Utilities	4.0%	15.4%
Real Estate	3.5%	-
Basic Materials	2.9%	0.4%

Return for Risk

BVAL vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

BVAL

BVAL Risk / Return Rank: 89
BVAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
BVAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
BVAL Omega Ratio Rank: 88
BVAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
BVAL Martin Ratio Rank: 90

FDL

FDL Risk / Return Rank: 92
FDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
FDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
FDL Omega Ratio Rank: 88
FDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
FDL Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

BVAL vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Bluemonte Large Cap Value ETF (BVAL) 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.

	BVAL	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.25	2.26	-0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.15	3.41	-0.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.39	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.48	6.29	-2.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.68	14.86	-0.18

BVAL vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BVAL Sharpe Ratio is 2.25, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BVAL 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

BVAL vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BVAL drawdown since its inception was -6.69%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BVAL and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	BVAL	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.69%	-65.93%	+59.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.69%	-4.27%	-2.42%
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	-0.46%	-1.96%	+1.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.87%	-9.59%	+8.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.59%	1.81%	-0.22%

Volatility

BVAL vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Bluemonte Large Cap Value ETF (BVAL) is 2.53%, while First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) has a volatility of 4.96%. This indicates that BVAL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FDL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BVAL	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.53%	4.96%	-2.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.88%	8.97%	-1.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.40%	11.95%	-1.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.17%	14.44%	-4.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.17%	17.16%	-6.99%

BVAL vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

BVAL has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is lower than FDL's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

BVAL vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

BVAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.31%, less than FDL's 3.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BVAL Bluemonte Large Cap Value ETF	1.31%	0.73%	0.00%	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	3.59%	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 BVAL and FDL in my portfolio?

BVAL and FDL have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BVAL or FDL?

FDL has higher volatility (4.96%) compared to BVAL (2.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BVAL dropped -6.69% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, BVAL or FDL?

On 1-year performance, FDL leads with 27.65% vs 24.55% for BVAL. On fees, BVAL is cheaper at 0.24% per year. On volatility, BVAL has been the lower-risk option at 2.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BVAL or FDL?

Over the 1-year period, FDL has performed better with a 27.65% return vs 24.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BVAL or FDL?

BVAL is cheaper with a 0.24% expense ratio, compared with 0.43% for FDL.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.59%, compared with 1.31% for BVAL.

What is the main difference between BVAL and FDL?

They also come from different issuers: Bluemonte and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.24% for BVAL and 0.43% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 2.25), 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.