ECF vs. FDL
ECF (Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.) is a stock, while FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) is Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Over the past 10 years, ECF returned 11.82%/yr vs 11.08%/yr for FDL. Their 0.40 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship.
Performance
ECF vs. FDL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ECF achieves a 9.89% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 18.62% return. Over the past 10 years, ECF has outperformed FDL with an annualized return of 11.82%, while FDL has yielded a comparatively lower 11.08% annualized return.
ECF
- 1D
- 1.81%
- 1M
- -2.44%
- 6M
- 2.82%
- YTD
- 9.89%
- 1Y
- 29.57%
- 3Y*
- 20.66%
- 5Y*
- 4.60%
- 10Y*
- 11.82%
- ALL TIME*
- 7.40%
FDL
- 1D
- 0.39%
- 1M
- 3.67%
- 6M
- 9.83%
- YTD
- 18.62%
- 1Y
- 28.15%
- 3Y*
- 19.02%
- 5Y*
- 14.10%
- 10Y*
- 11.08%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.96%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $195.00K | $184.64K | $346.76K | |
| $51.38M | $49.50M | $43.21M |
ECF vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ECF Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. | 9.89% | 30.03% | 27.48% | 8.01% | -31.63% | -0.79% | 31.72% | 47.17% | -3.70% | 19.51% |
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund | 18.62% | 14.79% | 17.98% | 2.94% | 6.66% | 26.10% | -4.30% | 24.41% | -5.99% | 12.02% |
Correlation
The correlation between ECF and FDL is -0.12, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.12 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.18 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.32 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.35 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 15, 2006 | 0.40 |
The correlation between ECF and FDL shifts across timeframes, from -0.12 (1 year) to 0.40 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
ECF vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank
ECF
FDL
ECF vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. (ECF) 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| ECF | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.91 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.60 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.42 | -0.17 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.26 | 6.62 | -4.36 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.27 | 15.62 | -9.35 |
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Drawdowns
ECF vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ECF drawdown since its inception was -49.86%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ECF and FDL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ECF | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -49.86% | -65.93% | +16.07% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.16% | -4.27% | -8.89% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.83% | -12.24% | -4.59% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -40.59% | -16.46% | -24.13% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -47.28% | -41.40% | -5.88% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.64% | -1.58% | -7.06% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.13% | -9.59% | -0.54% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.73% | 1.81% | +2.92% |
Volatility
ECF vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. (ECF) has a higher volatility of 5.07% compared to First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) at 4.65%. This indicates that ECF'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.
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Volatility by Period
| ECF | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.07% | 4.65% | +0.42% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.02% | 8.75% | +7.27% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.24% | 11.89% | +8.35% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.92% | 14.44% | +3.48% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.91% | 17.16% | +4.75% |
Dividends
ECF vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison
ECF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.67%, more than FDL's 3.58% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ECF Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. | 7.67% | 7.39% | 5.47% | 6.44% | 6.52% | 12.14% | 9.59% | 6.63% | 5.82% | 4.68% | 5.32% | 10.22% |
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund | 3.58% | 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
ECF and FDL have a correlation of -0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ECF has higher volatility (5.07%) compared to FDL (4.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ECF dropped -49.86% vs FDL's -65.93%.
FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.47), 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.
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