ESBG vs. FDL
ESBG (First Trust Enhanced Stocks, Bonds & Gold ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - ESBG is a Tactical Allocation fund actively managed by First Trust, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. ESBG is actively managed, while FDL is passively managed. At a 0.10 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ESBG charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for FDL.
Performance
ESBG vs. FDL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ESBG achieves a -2.86% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 15.23% return.
ESBG
- 1D
- -2.33%
- 1M
- -2.85%
- 6M
- -8.17%
- YTD
- -2.86%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FDL
- 1D
- 0.80%
- 1M
- -0.89%
- 6M
- 12.56%
- YTD
- 15.23%
- 1Y
- 20.80%
- 3Y*
- 18.71%
- 5Y*
- 13.58%
- 10Y*
- 10.76%
ESBG vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
ESBG First Trust Enhanced Stocks, Bonds & Gold ETF | -2.86% | 5.67% |
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund | 15.23% | 3.03% |
Correlation
The correlation between ESBG and FDL is 0.10, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 2025 | 0.10 |
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Return for Risk
ESBG vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank
ESBG
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
FDL
ESBG vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Enhanced Stocks, Bonds & Gold ETF (ESBG) 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.
| ESBG | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.31 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 4.89 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 11.11 | — |
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Drawdowns
ESBG vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ESBG drawdown since its inception was -18.84%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESBG and FDL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ESBG | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.84% | -65.93% | +47.09% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -4.27% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -12.24% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -16.46% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -41.40% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -17.63% | -0.89% | -16.74% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.74% | -9.62% | +1.88% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 1.88% | — |
Volatility
ESBG vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| ESBG | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 4.65% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 8.37% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 25.71% | 11.65% | +14.06% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 25.71% | 14.37% | +11.34% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 25.71% | 17.12% | +8.59% |
ESBG vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison
ESBG has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.43% expense ratio.
Dividends
ESBG vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison
ESBG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.12%, less than FDL's 3.68% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESBG First Trust Enhanced Stocks, Bonds & Gold ETF | 1.12% | 0.24% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 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
ESBG and FDL have a correlation of 0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.43% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
FDL is cheaper with a 0.43% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for ESBG.
FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.68%, compared with 1.12% for ESBG.
ESBG is categorized as Tactical Allocation, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for ESBG and 0.43% for FDL.
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