DLN vs. RFDA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DLN (WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF) and RFDA (RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. DLN is passively managed, while RFDA is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, DLN returned 12.22%/yr vs 13.17%/yr for RFDA. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DLN charges 0.28%/yr vs 0.52%/yr for RFDA.

Performance

DLN vs. RFDA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF (DLN) and RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DLN achieves a 9.93% return, which is significantly lower than RFDA's 11.40% return.

DLN

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: 2.93%
• YTD: 9.93%
• 6M: 9.96%
• 1Y: 22.38%
• 3Y*: 18.35%
• 5Y*: 12.22%
• 10Y*: 12.68%

RFDA

• 1D: -0.92%
• 1M: 4.27%
• YTD: 11.40%
• 6M: 12.25%
• 1Y: 29.49%
• 3Y*: 19.19%
• 5Y*: 13.17%
• 10Y*: —

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

DLN vs. RFDA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DLN WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF	9.93%	15.53%	19.66%	9.95%	-3.78%	25.60%	4.59%	28.91%	-5.82%	18.22%
RFDA RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF	11.40%	16.42%	20.12%	16.98%	-8.58%	25.94%	11.26%	27.15%	-9.27%	19.86%

Correlation

The correlation between DLN and RFDA is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 8, 2016	0.87

The correlation between DLN and RFDA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

DLN vs. RFDA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DLN	RFDA
Technology	20.1%	19.9%
Financial Services	18.0%	14.7%
Healthcare	12.6%	8.8%
Consumer Defensive	9.3%	7.6%
Energy	8.5%	12.5%
Industrials	7.9%	8.9%
Communication Services	7.8%	8.8%
Utilities	5.9%	5.0%
Consumer Cyclical	5.0%	7.0%
Real Estate	4.0%	5.0%
Basic Materials	1.0%	1.8%

Return for Risk

DLN vs. RFDA — Risk / Return Rank

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

DLN

DLN Risk / Return Rank: 77
DLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
DLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
DLN Omega Ratio Rank: 75
DLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
DLN Martin Ratio Rank: 79

RFDA

RFDA Risk / Return Rank: 83
RFDA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
RFDA Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
RFDA Omega Ratio Rank: 79
RFDA Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
RFDA Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

DLN vs. RFDA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF (DLN) and RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA). 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.

	DLN	RFDA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.53	2.55	-0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.64	3.52	+0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.47	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.69	5.44	-1.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.59	19.87	-4.28
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DLN vs. RFDA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DLN Sharpe Ratio is 2.53, which is comparable to the RFDA Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DLN and RFDA, 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

	DLN	RFDA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.53	2.55	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93	0.84	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.79	-0.26

Drawdowns

DLN vs. RFDA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DLN drawdown since its inception was -57.84%, which is greater than RFDA's maximum drawdown of -34.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DLN and RFDA.

Drawdown Indicators

	DLN	RFDA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.84%	-34.60%	-23.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.10%	-5.45%	-0.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.71%	-19.35%	+5.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.26%	-19.35%	+3.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.82%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.51%	-0.92%	+0.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.52%	-3.74%	-3.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.44%	1.49%	-0.05%

Volatility

DLN vs. RFDA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF (DLN) is 2.17%, while RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA) has a volatility of 2.66%. This indicates that DLN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RFDA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DLN	RFDA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.17%	2.66%	-0.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.77%	8.47%	-1.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.87%	11.64%	-2.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.26%	15.73%	-2.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.16%	16.85%	-0.69%

DLN vs. RFDA - Expense Ratio Comparison

DLN has a 0.28% expense ratio, which is lower than RFDA's 0.52% expense ratio.

Dividends

DLN vs. RFDA - Dividend Comparison

DLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.79%, more than RFDA's 1.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DLN WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF	1.79%	1.90%	2.00%	2.43%	2.53%	2.01%	2.66%	2.51%	2.90%	2.33%	2.64%	2.80%
RFDA RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF	1.77%	1.89%	2.23%	2.68%	3.57%	1.44%	1.62%	1.87%	2.44%	1.90%	0.98%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DLN and RFDA in my portfolio?

DLN and RFDA have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DLN or RFDA?

RFDA has higher volatility (2.66%) compared to DLN (2.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DLN dropped -57.84% vs RFDA's -34.60%.

Which ETF is better, DLN or RFDA?

On 5-year performance, RFDA leads with 13.17% vs 12.22% for DLN. On fees, DLN is cheaper at 0.28% per year. On volatility, DLN has been the lower-risk option at 2.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DLN or RFDA?

Over the 5-year period, RFDA has performed better with a 13.17% return vs 12.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DLN or RFDA?

DLN is cheaper with a 0.28% expense ratio, compared with 0.52% for RFDA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DLN or RFDA?

DLN has the higher dividend yield at 1.79%, compared with 1.77% for RFDA.

What is the main difference between DLN and RFDA?

They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and SS&C. Their fees differ too: 0.28% for DLN and 0.52% for RFDA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFDA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 2.53), 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.