CDNS vs. FDL

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

CDNS (Cadence Design Systems, Inc.) is a stock, while FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) is Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Over the past 10 years, CDNS returned 30.40%/yr vs 10.98%/yr for FDL. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

CDNS vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (CDNS) 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, CDNS achieves a 16.66% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 17.61% return. Over the past 10 years, CDNS has outperformed FDL with an annualized return of 30.40%, while FDL has yielded a comparatively lower 10.98% annualized return.

CDNS

• 1D: -1.84%
• 1M: -5.98%
• 6M: 13.74%
• YTD: 16.66%
• 1Y: 15.92%
• 3Y*: 14.26%
• 5Y*: 21.51%
• 10Y*: 30.40%

FDL

• 1D: 2.42%
• 1M: 2.96%
• 6M: 12.71%
• YTD: 17.61%
• 1Y: 25.62%
• 3Y*: 19.90%
• 5Y*: 14.10%
• 10Y*: 10.98%

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

CDNS vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CDNS Cadence Design Systems, Inc.	16.66%	4.03%	10.31%	69.55%	-13.80%	36.59%	96.70%	59.52%	3.97%	65.82%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	17.61%	14.79%	17.98%	2.94%	6.66%	26.10%	-4.30%	24.41%	-5.99%	12.02%

Correlation

The correlation between CDNS and FDL is -0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.08
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.06
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 15, 2006	0.38

The correlation between CDNS and FDL shifts across timeframes, from -0.08 (1 year) to 0.38 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

CDNS vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

CDNS

CDNS Risk / Return Rank: 57
CDNS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
CDNS Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
CDNS Omega Ratio Rank: 55
CDNS Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
CDNS Martin Ratio Rank: 57

FDL

FDL Risk / Return Rank: 87
FDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
FDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
FDL Omega Ratio Rank: 81
FDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
FDL Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

CDNS vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (CDNS) 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.

	CDNS	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.41	2.18	-1.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.88	3.33	-2.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.38	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.55	6.02	-5.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.15	13.73	-12.58

CDNS vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CDNS Sharpe Ratio is 0.41, which is lower than the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CDNS 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

CDNS vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CDNS drawdown since its inception was -93.13%, which is greater than FDL's maximum drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CDNS and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	CDNS	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-93.13%	-65.93%	-27.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.85%	-4.27%	-24.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.05%	-12.24%	-16.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.59%	-16.46%	-13.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.12%	-41.40%	+9.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.43%	0.00%	-12.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-39.55%	-9.61%	-29.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.88%	1.87%	+12.01%

Volatility

CDNS vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (CDNS) has a higher volatility of 6.68% compared to First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) at 4.91%. This indicates that CDNS'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

	CDNS	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.68%	4.91%	+1.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	31.54%	8.74%	+22.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	39.02%	11.79%	+27.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.28%	14.41%	+21.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.14%	17.13%	+17.01%

Dividends

CDNS vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

CDNS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FDL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.61%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CDNS Cadence Design Systems, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	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	3.61%	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 CDNS and FDL in my portfolio?

CDNS and FDL have a correlation of -0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CDNS or FDL?

CDNS has higher volatility (6.68%) compared to FDL (4.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CDNS dropped -93.13% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 0.41), 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.