ELM vs. DALI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ELM (Elm Market Navigator ETF) and DALI (First Trust Dorsey Wright DALI 1 ETF) are both Tactical Allocation funds. ELM is actively managed, while DALI is passively managed. Over the past year, ELM returned 19.85% vs 21.34% for DALI. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ELM charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for DALI.

Performance

ELM vs. DALI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Elm Market Navigator ETF (ELM) and First Trust Dorsey Wright DALI 1 ETF (DALI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with ELM having a 7.56% return and DALI slightly higher at 7.72%.

ELM

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: 2.88%
• YTD: 7.56%
• 6M: 8.51%
• 1Y: 19.85%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DALI

• 1D: -0.79%
• 1M: 2.87%
• YTD: 7.72%
• 6M: 8.33%
• 1Y: 21.34%
• 3Y*: 7.87%
• 5Y*: 5.41%
• 10Y*: —

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

ELM vs. DALI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ELM Elm Market Navigator ETF	7.56%	11.89%
DALI First Trust Dorsey Wright DALI 1 ETF	7.72%	7.18%

Correlation

The correlation between ELM and DALI is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 12, 2025	0.81

The correlation between ELM and DALI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

ELM vs. DALI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ELM	DALI
Technology	22.0%	10.5%
Financial Services	18.3%	10.5%
Industrials	12.6%	29.9%
Consumer Cyclical	9.1%	9.1%
Healthcare	8.3%	3.3%
Communication Services	6.6%	3.0%
Basic Materials	5.4%	9.9%
Consumer Defensive	5.2%	3.5%
Energy	4.8%	9.6%
Real Estate	4.7%	5.3%
Utilities	3.0%	5.5%

Return for Risk

ELM vs. DALI — Risk / Return Rank

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

ELM

ELM Risk / Return Rank: 63
ELM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
ELM Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
ELM Omega Ratio Rank: 67
ELM Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
ELM Martin Ratio Rank: 62

DALI

DALI Risk / Return Rank: 35
DALI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
DALI Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
DALI Omega Ratio Rank: 33
DALI Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
DALI Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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.

ELM vs. DALI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Elm Market Navigator ETF (ELM) and First Trust Dorsey Wright DALI 1 ETF (DALI). 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.

	ELM	DALI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.13	1.24	+0.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.00	1.77	+1.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.23	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.65	1.71	+0.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.00	6.33	+4.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ELM vs. DALI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ELM Sharpe Ratio is 2.13, which is higher than the DALI Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ELM and DALI, 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

	ELM	DALI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.13	1.24	+0.89
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.28	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.49	0.31	+1.18

Drawdowns

ELM vs. DALI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ELM drawdown since its inception was -9.02%, smaller than the maximum DALI drawdown of -36.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ELM and DALI.

Drawdown Indicators

	ELM	DALI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.02%	-36.06%	+27.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.52%	-12.54%	+5.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-23.30%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.26%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.58%	-1.40%	+0.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.32%	-10.14%	+8.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.81%	3.38%	-1.57%

Volatility

ELM vs. DALI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Elm Market Navigator ETF (ELM) is 2.59%, while First Trust Dorsey Wright DALI 1 ETF (DALI) has a volatility of 6.49%. This indicates that ELM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DALI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ELM	DALI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.59%	6.49%	-3.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.52%	14.37%	-6.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.38%	17.31%	-7.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.27%	19.66%	-9.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.27%	20.92%	-10.65%

ELM vs. DALI - Expense Ratio Comparison

ELM has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is lower than DALI's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

ELM vs. DALI - Dividend Comparison

ELM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.52%, more than DALI's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DALI First Trust Dorsey Wright DALI 1 ETF	0.38%	0.38%	0.18%	3.42%	0.50%	0.11%	1.25%	0.45%	0.17%
ELM Elm Market Navigator ETF	2.52%	2.71%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ELM and DALI in my portfolio?

ELM and DALI have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ELM or DALI?

DALI has higher volatility (6.49%) compared to ELM (2.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ELM dropped -9.02% vs DALI's -36.06%.

Which ETF is better, ELM or DALI?

On 1-year performance, DALI leads with 21.34% vs 19.85% for ELM. On fees, ELM is cheaper at 0.24% per year. On volatility, ELM has been the lower-risk option at 2.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ELM or DALI?

Over the 1-year period, DALI has performed better with a 21.34% return vs 19.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ELM or DALI?

ELM is cheaper with a 0.24% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for DALI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ELM or DALI?

ELM has the higher dividend yield at 2.52%, compared with 0.38% for DALI.

What is the main difference between ELM and DALI?

They also come from different issuers: Elm and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.24% for ELM and 0.90% for DALI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ELM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 1.24), 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.