DIVZ vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DIVZ (Opal Dividend Income ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. DIVZ is actively managed, while FDL is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DIVZ returned 8.50%/yr vs 12.64%/yr for FDL. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DIVZ charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

DIVZ vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Opal Dividend Income ETF (DIVZ) 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, DIVZ achieves a 3.37% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 13.62% return.

DIVZ

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: -0.98%
• YTD: 3.37%
• 6M: 4.40%
• 1Y: 10.65%
• 3Y*: 15.12%
• 5Y*: 8.50%
• 10Y*: —

FDL

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: -0.81%
• YTD: 13.62%
• 6M: 16.42%
• 1Y: 24.43%
• 3Y*: 19.07%
• 5Y*: 12.64%
• 10Y*: 11.27%

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

DIVZ vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DIVZ Opal Dividend Income ETF	3.37%	16.72%	18.44%	-0.51%	3.51%	19.74%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	13.62%	14.79%	17.98%	2.94%	6.66%	25.80%

Correlation

The correlation between DIVZ and FDL is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 29, 2021	0.86

The correlation between DIVZ and FDL shifts across timeframes, from 0.76 (1 year) to 0.86 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DIVZ vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DIVZ	FDL
Consumer Defensive	20.0%	14.7%
Energy	19.4%	27.3%
Utilities	17.2%	6.5%
Healthcare	16.0%	16.8%
Financial Services	8.7%	15.1%
Technology	8.0%	1.1%
Consumer Cyclical	6.6%	3.8%
Communication Services	5.9%	10.6%
Basic Materials	5.7%	0.3%
Industrials	4.6%	3.8%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

DIVZ vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

DIVZ

DIVZ Risk / Return Rank: 33
DIVZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
DIVZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
DIVZ Omega Ratio Rank: 29
DIVZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
DIVZ Martin Ratio Rank: 32

FDL

FDL Risk / Return Rank: 73
FDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
FDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
FDL Omega Ratio Rank: 62
FDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
FDL Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

DIVZ vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Opal Dividend Income ETF (DIVZ) 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.

	DIVZ	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.15	2.18	-1.02
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.71	3.35	-1.64
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.38	-0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.93	5.74	-3.81
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.83	14.05	-9.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DIVZ vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DIVZ Sharpe Ratio is 1.15, which is lower than the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DIVZ 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

	DIVZ	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.15	2.18	-1.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68	0.89	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.66	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.89	0.45	+0.44

Drawdowns

DIVZ vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DIVZ drawdown since its inception was -15.42%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DIVZ and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	DIVZ	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.42%	-65.93%	+50.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.83%	-4.27%	-1.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.52%	-12.24%	+2.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.42%	-16.46%	+1.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.40%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.25%	-1.92%	-2.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.49%	-9.66%	+6.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.33%	1.75%	+0.58%

Volatility

DIVZ vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

Opal Dividend Income ETF (DIVZ) has a higher volatility of 3.49% compared to First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) at 2.95%. This indicates that DIVZ'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

	DIVZ	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.49%	2.95%	+0.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.06%	7.87%	-0.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.29%	11.27%	-1.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.65%	14.31%	-1.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.57%	17.11%	-4.54%

DIVZ vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

DIVZ has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

DIVZ vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

DIVZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.59%, less than FDL's 3.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DIVZ Opal Dividend Income ETF	2.59%	2.60%	2.63%	3.66%	3.23%	3.83%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	3.67%	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 DIVZ and FDL in my portfolio?

DIVZ and FDL have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DIVZ or FDL?

DIVZ has higher volatility (3.49%) compared to FDL (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DIVZ dropped -15.42% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, DIVZ or FDL?

On 5-year performance, FDL leads with 12.64% vs 8.50% for DIVZ. On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, FDL has been the lower-risk option at 2.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DIVZ or FDL?

Over the 5-year period, FDL has performed better with a 12.64% return vs 8.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DIVZ or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for DIVZ.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.67%, compared with 2.59% for DIVZ.

What is the main difference between DIVZ and FDL?

They also come from different issuers: TrueShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for DIVZ and 0.45% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 1.15), 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.