DFII vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFII (FT Vest Bitcoin Strategy & Target Income ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - DFII is a Cryptocurrency fund actively managed by First Trust, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. DFII is actively managed, while FDL is passively managed. Over the past year, DFII returned -37.26% vs 23.67% for FDL. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DFII charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

DFII vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Bitcoin Strategy & Target Income ETF (DFII) 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, DFII achieves a -24.78% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 13.33% return.

DFII

• 1D: -2.65%
• 1M: -17.17%
• YTD: -24.78%
• 6M: -28.08%
• 1Y: -37.26%
• 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)

DFII vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
DFII FT Vest Bitcoin Strategy & Target Income ETF	-24.78%	5.61%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	13.33%	9.49%

Correlation

The correlation between DFII and FDL is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.11
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 4, 2025	0.13

Return for Risk

DFII vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFII

DFII Risk / Return Rank: 2
DFII Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
DFII Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
DFII Omega Ratio Rank: 2
DFII Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
DFII Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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.

DFII vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Bitcoin Strategy & Target Income ETF (DFII) 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.

	DFII	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.91	2.11	-3.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.24	3.25	-4.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.86	1.37	-0.51
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.78	5.56	-6.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.38	13.56	-14.94
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFII vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFII Sharpe Ratio is -0.91, which is lower than the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFII 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

	DFII	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.91	2.11	-3.01
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	-0.44	0.45	-0.89

Drawdowns

DFII vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFII drawdown since its inception was -48.07%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFII and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFII	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.07%	-65.93%	+17.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-48.07%	-4.27%	-43.80%
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	-45.95%	-2.18%	-43.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.01%	-9.66%	-9.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	27.04%	1.75%	+25.29%

Volatility

DFII vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest Bitcoin Strategy & Target Income ETF (DFII) has a higher volatility of 9.03% compared to First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) at 2.85%. This indicates that DFII'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

	DFII	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.03%	2.85%	+6.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.27%	7.87%	+25.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	41.33%	11.28%	+30.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	41.08%	14.31%	+26.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	41.08%	17.11%	+23.97%

DFII vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFII has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFII vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

DFII's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 27.87%, more than FDL's 3.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFII FT Vest Bitcoin Strategy & Target Income ETF	27.87%	15.51%	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	3.68%	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 DFII and FDL in my portfolio?

DFII and FDL have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFII or FDL?

DFII has higher volatility (9.03%) compared to FDL (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFII dropped -48.07% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, DFII or FDL?

On 1-year performance, FDL leads with 23.67% vs -37.26% for DFII. 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, DFII or FDL?

Over the 1-year period, FDL has performed better with a 23.67% return vs -37.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFII or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for DFII.

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

DFII has the higher dividend yield at 27.87%, compared with 3.68% for FDL.

What is the main difference between DFII and FDL?

DFII is categorized as Cryptocurrency, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DFII and 0.45% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs -0.91), 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.