DVLU vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DVLU (First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Value ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - DVLU is a Momentum fund tracking the Dorsey Wright Momentum Plus Value Index, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DVLU returned 11.03%/yr vs 12.51%/yr for FDL. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DVLU charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

DVLU vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Value ETF (DVLU) 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, DVLU achieves a 10.31% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 13.33% return.

DVLU

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 3.99%
• YTD: 10.31%
• 6M: 12.01%
• 1Y: 35.76%
• 3Y*: 22.18%
• 5Y*: 11.03%
• 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)

DVLU vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DVLU First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Value ETF	10.31%	23.67%	13.36%	18.84%	-9.73%	41.67%	-6.68%	33.59%	-24.03%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	13.33%	14.79%	17.98%	2.94%	6.66%	26.10%	-4.30%	24.41%	-6.06%

Correlation

The correlation between DVLU and FDL is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.60
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2018	0.70

Over the past year, the correlation between DVLU and FDL has dropped to 0.40 - well below their long-term average of 0.70, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

DVLU vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DVLU	FDL
Financial Services	23.5%	15.1%
Energy	19.6%	27.3%
Healthcare	13.7%	16.8%
Industrials	11.8%	3.8%
Basic Materials	7.8%	0.3%
Consumer Defensive	5.9%	14.7%
Consumer Cyclical	3.9%	3.8%
Technology	3.9%	1.1%
Utilities	3.9%	6.5%
Communication Services	2.0%	10.6%
Real Estate	2.0%	-

Return for Risk

DVLU vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

DVLU

DVLU Risk / Return Rank: 63
DVLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
DVLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
DVLU Omega Ratio Rank: 63
DVLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
DVLU Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

DVLU vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Value ETF (DVLU) 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.

	DVLU	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	2.11	+0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.03	3.25	-0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.37	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.93	5.56	-2.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.59	13.56	-2.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DVLU vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DVLU Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DVLU 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

	DVLU	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.19	2.11	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52	0.88	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.66	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.45	-0.03

Drawdowns

DVLU vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DVLU drawdown since its inception was -53.26%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DVLU and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	DVLU	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.26%	-65.93%	+12.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.24%	-4.27%	-7.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.86%	-12.24%	-12.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.86%	-16.46%	-8.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.40%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.22%	-2.18%	+1.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.78%	-9.66%	+0.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.39%	1.75%	+1.64%

Volatility

DVLU vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Value ETF (DVLU) has a higher volatility of 3.65% compared to First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) at 2.85%. This indicates that DVLU'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

	DVLU	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.65%	2.85%	+0.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.36%	7.87%	+4.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.40%	11.28%	+5.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.52%	14.31%	+7.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.81%	17.11%	+8.70%

DVLU vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

DVLU has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

DVLU vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

DVLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.62%, less than FDL's 3.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DVLU First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Value ETF	0.62%	0.73%	1.06%	1.34%	2.18%	1.33%	1.34%	1.71%	0.58%	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 DVLU and FDL in my portfolio?

DVLU and FDL have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DVLU or FDL?

DVLU has higher volatility (3.65%) compared to FDL (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DVLU dropped -53.26% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, DVLU or FDL?

On 5-year performance, FDL leads with 12.51% vs 11.03% for DVLU. On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.45% per year. 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, DVLU or FDL?

Over the 5-year period, FDL has performed better with a 12.51% return vs 11.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DVLU or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for DVLU.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.68%, compared with 0.62% for DVLU.

What is the main difference between DVLU and FDL?

DVLU is categorized as Momentum, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. DVLU tracks Dorsey Wright Momentum Plus Value Index, while FDL tracks Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for DVLU and 0.45% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DVLU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 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.