DTD vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DTD (WisdomTree U.S. Total Dividend Fund) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds - DTD tracks the WisdomTree U.S. Dividend Index while FDL tracks the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DTD returned 12.18%/yr vs 11.24%/yr for FDL. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DTD charges 0.28%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

DTD vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree U.S. Total Dividend Fund (DTD) 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, DTD achieves a 10.02% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 13.33% return. Over the past 10 years, DTD has outperformed FDL with an annualized return of 12.18%, while FDL has yielded a comparatively lower 11.24% annualized return.

DTD

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 2.79%
• YTD: 10.02%
• 6M: 9.93%
• 1Y: 21.95%
• 3Y*: 17.94%
• 5Y*: 11.75%
• 10Y*: 12.18%

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)

DTD vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DTD WisdomTree U.S. Total Dividend Fund	10.02%	14.25%	18.56%	10.63%	-3.83%	26.26%	2.45%	28.19%	-6.47%	17.35%
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 DTD and FDL is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2006	0.87

Over the past year, the correlation between DTD and FDL has dropped to 0.65 - well below their long-term average of 0.87, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

DTD vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DTD	FDL
Financial Services	18.8%	15.1%
Technology	18.5%	1.1%
Healthcare	11.5%	16.8%
Consumer Defensive	8.7%	14.7%
Industrials	8.6%	3.8%
Energy	8.4%	27.3%
Communication Services	7.4%	10.6%
Utilities	5.9%	6.5%
Consumer Cyclical	5.6%	3.8%
Real Estate	5.2%	-
Basic Materials	1.5%	0.3%

Return for Risk

DTD vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

DTD

DTD Risk / Return Rank: 72
DTD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
DTD Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
DTD Omega Ratio Rank: 71
DTD Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
DTD Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

DTD vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree U.S. Total Dividend Fund (DTD) 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.

	DTD	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	2.11	+0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.38	3.25	+0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.37	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.50	5.56	-2.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.51	13.56	+0.95
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DTD vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DTD Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DTD 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

	DTD	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.37	2.11	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87	0.88	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75	0.66	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.45	+0.08

Drawdowns

DTD vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DTD drawdown since its inception was -58.19%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DTD and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	DTD	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.19%	-65.93%	+7.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.30%	-4.27%	-2.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.41%	-12.24%	-2.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.14%	-16.46%	+0.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.29%	-41.40%	+4.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.48%	-2.18%	+1.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.34%	-9.66%	+2.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.52%	1.75%	-0.23%

Volatility

DTD vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for WisdomTree U.S. Total Dividend Fund (DTD) is 2.13%, while First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) has a volatility of 2.85%. This indicates that DTD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FDL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DTD	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.13%	2.85%	-0.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.98%	7.87%	-0.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.29%	11.28%	-1.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.57%	14.31%	-0.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.21%	17.11%	-0.90%

DTD vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

DTD has a 0.28% expense ratio, which is lower than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

DTD vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

DTD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.87%, less than FDL's 3.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DTD WisdomTree U.S. Total Dividend Fund	1.87%	1.99%	2.07%	2.43%	2.62%	2.04%	2.73%	2.50%	2.93%	2.36%	2.66%	2.81%
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 DTD and FDL in my portfolio?

DTD and FDL have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DTD or FDL?

FDL has higher volatility (2.85%) compared to DTD (2.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DTD dropped -58.19% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, DTD or FDL?

On 10-year performance, DTD leads with 12.18% vs 11.24% for FDL. On fees, DTD is cheaper at 0.28% per year. On volatility, DTD has been the lower-risk option at 2.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DTD or FDL?

Over the 10-year period, DTD has performed better with a 12.18% return vs 11.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DTD or FDL?

DTD is cheaper with a 0.28% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for FDL.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.68%, compared with 1.87% for DTD.

What is the main difference between DTD and FDL?

DTD tracks WisdomTree U.S. Dividend Index, while FDL tracks Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.28% for DTD and 0.45% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DTD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 2.11), 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.