DVAL vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DVAL (BrandywineGLOBAL Dynamic U.S. Large Cap Value ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. DVAL is actively managed, while FDL is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DVAL returned 12.66%/yr vs 18.97%/yr for FDL. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DVAL charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

DVAL vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BrandywineGLOBAL Dynamic U.S. Large Cap Value ETF (DVAL) 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, DVAL achieves a 6.15% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 13.33% return.

DVAL

• 1D: -0.80%
• 1M: 1.63%
• YTD: 6.15%
• 6M: 7.12%
• 1Y: 12.93%
• 3Y*: 12.66%
• 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)

DVAL vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
DVAL BrandywineGLOBAL Dynamic U.S. Large Cap Value ETF	6.15%	8.74%	12.84%	8.73%	1.78%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	13.33%	14.79%	17.98%	2.94%	2.20%

Correlation

The correlation between DVAL and FDL is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 1, 2022	0.81

The correlation between DVAL and FDL shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (1 year) to 0.81 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DVAL vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DVAL	FDL
Financial Services	31.6%	15.1%
Industrials	14.7%	3.8%
Technology	11.1%	1.1%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	3.8%
Communication Services	10.0%	10.6%
Healthcare	7.9%	16.8%
Consumer Defensive	6.6%	14.7%
Energy	6.1%	27.3%
Utilities	1.1%	6.5%
Basic Materials	0.1%	0.3%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

DVAL vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

DVAL

DVAL Risk / Return Rank: 37
DVAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
DVAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
DVAL Omega Ratio Rank: 32
DVAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
DVAL Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

DVAL vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BrandywineGLOBAL Dynamic U.S. Large Cap Value ETF (DVAL) 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.

	DVAL	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.23	2.11	-0.88
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.84	3.25	-1.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.37	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.09	5.56	-3.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.71	13.56	-6.84
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DVAL vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DVAL Sharpe Ratio is 1.23, which is lower than the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DVAL 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

	DVAL	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.23	2.11	-0.88
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	0.76	0.45	+0.31

Drawdowns

DVAL vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DVAL drawdown since its inception was -18.11%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DVAL and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	DVAL	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.11%	-65.93%	+47.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.20%	-4.27%	-1.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.11%	-12.24%	-5.87%
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	-1.09%	-2.18%	+1.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.64%	-9.66%	+6.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.93%	1.75%	+0.18%

Volatility

DVAL vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

BrandywineGLOBAL Dynamic U.S. Large Cap Value ETF (DVAL) and First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) have volatilities of 2.73% and 2.85%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DVAL	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.73%	2.85%	-0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.62%	7.87%	-0.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.59%	11.28%	-0.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.24%	14.31%	-0.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.24%	17.11%	-2.87%

DVAL vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

DVAL has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

DVAL vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

DVAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.88%, less than FDL's 3.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DVAL BrandywineGLOBAL Dynamic U.S. Large Cap Value ETF	1.88%	2.00%	2.82%	1.16%	13.13%	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 DVAL and FDL in my portfolio?

DVAL and FDL have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DVAL or FDL?

FDL has higher volatility (2.85%) compared to DVAL (2.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DVAL dropped -18.11% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, DVAL or FDL?

On 3-year performance, FDL leads with 18.97% vs 12.66% for DVAL. On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, DVAL has been the lower-risk option at 2.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DVAL or FDL?

Over the 3-year period, FDL has performed better with a 18.97% return vs 12.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DVAL or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for DVAL.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.68%, compared with 1.88% for DVAL.

What is the main difference between DVAL and FDL?

They also come from different issuers: BrandywineGLOBAL and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for DVAL and 0.45% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.23), 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.