DIV vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DIV (Global X SuperDividend U.S. ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - DIV is a Dividend fund tracking the Indxx SuperDividend® U.S. Low Volatility Index, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DIV returned 3.95%/yr vs 11.24%/yr for FDL. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.45% expense ratio.

Performance

DIV vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X SuperDividend U.S. ETF (DIV) 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, DIV achieves a 11.63% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 13.33% return. Over the past 10 years, DIV has underperformed FDL with an annualized return of 3.95%, while FDL has yielded a comparatively higher 11.24% annualized return.

DIV

• 1D: -1.38%
• 1M: -1.56%
• YTD: 11.63%
• 6M: 10.20%
• 1Y: 14.38%
• 3Y*: 11.72%
• 5Y*: 5.02%
• 10Y*: 3.95%

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)

DIV vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DIV Global X SuperDividend U.S. ETF	11.63%	3.10%	11.27%	-1.73%	-3.92%	30.60%	-22.85%	14.50%	-6.60%	9.90%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	13.33%	14.79%	17.98%	2.94%	6.66%	26.10%	-4.30%	24.41%	-5.99%	12.02%

Correlation

The correlation between DIV and FDL is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 13, 2013	0.82

The correlation between DIV and FDL shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (1 year) to 0.85 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DIV vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DIV	FDL
Energy	21.5%	27.3%
Real Estate	19.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	13.4%	14.7%
Utilities	12.0%	6.5%
Industrials	11.5%	3.8%
Communication Services	6.3%	10.6%
Basic Materials	4.6%	0.3%
Financial Services	3.9%	15.1%
Healthcare	3.6%	16.8%
Consumer Cyclical	3.5%	3.8%
Technology	-	1.1%

Return for Risk

DIV vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

DIV

DIV Risk / Return Rank: 42
DIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
DIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
DIV Omega Ratio Rank: 35
DIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
DIV Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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.

DIV vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X SuperDividend U.S. ETF (DIV) 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.

	DIV	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.40	2.11	-0.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.02	3.25	-1.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.37	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.76	5.56	-2.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.79	13.56	-5.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DIV vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DIV Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is lower than the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DIV 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

	DIV	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.40	2.11	-0.71
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37	0.88	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.22	0.66	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.45	-0.18

Drawdowns

DIV vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DIV drawdown since its inception was -52.74%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DIV and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	DIV	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.74%	-65.93%	+13.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.23%	-4.27%	-0.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.33%	-12.24%	-0.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.14%	-16.46%	-4.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-52.74%	-41.40%	-11.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.20%	-2.18%	-1.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.03%	-9.66%	+2.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.85%	1.75%	+0.10%

Volatility

DIV vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

Global X SuperDividend U.S. ETF (DIV) has a higher volatility of 3.18% compared to First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) at 2.85%. This indicates that DIV'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

	DIV	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.18%	2.85%	+0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.11%	7.87%	-0.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.36%	11.28%	-0.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.68%	14.31%	-0.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.98%	17.11%	+0.87%

DIV vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both DIV and FDL have an expense ratio of 0.45%.

Dividends

DIV vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

DIV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.36%, more than FDL's 3.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DIV Global X SuperDividend U.S. ETF	7.36%	7.30%	5.74%	7.13%	6.62%	5.24%	8.01%	7.65%	7.08%	5.92%	6.78%	8.44%
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 DIV and FDL in my portfolio?

DIV and FDL have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DIV or FDL?

DIV has higher volatility (3.18%) compared to FDL (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DIV dropped -52.74% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, DIV or FDL?

On 10-year performance, FDL leads with 11.24% vs 3.95% for DIV. Both ETFs have the same 0.45% expense ratio. 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, DIV or FDL?

Over the 10-year period, FDL has performed better with a 11.24% return vs 3.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DIV or FDL?

DIV and FDL have the same expense ratio: 0.45% per year.

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

DIV has the higher dividend yield at 7.36%, compared with 3.68% for FDL.

What is the main difference between DIV and FDL?

DIV is categorized as Dividend, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. DIV tracks Indxx SuperDividend® U.S. Low Volatility Index, while FDL tracks Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and First Trust.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.40), 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.