FAD vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FAD (First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FAD is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Multi Cap Growth Index, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FAD returned 14.53%/yr vs 11.24%/yr for FDL. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FAD charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

FAD vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FAD) 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, FAD achieves a 17.25% return, which is significantly higher than FDL's 13.33% return. Over the past 10 years, FAD has outperformed FDL with an annualized return of 14.53%, while FDL has yielded a comparatively lower 11.24% annualized return.

FAD

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 6.70%
• YTD: 17.25%
• 6M: 17.16%
• 1Y: 34.52%
• 3Y*: 24.16%
• 5Y*: 11.25%
• 10Y*: 14.53%

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)

FAD vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FAD First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	17.25%	17.23%	23.85%	19.07%	-24.06%	21.17%	34.92%	26.66%	-6.45%	25.75%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	13.33%	14.79%	17.98%	2.94%	6.66%	26.10%	-4.30%	24.41%	-5.99%	12.02%

Correlation

The correlation between FAD and FDL is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 14, 2007	0.57

Over the past year, the correlation between FAD and FDL has dropped to 0.19 - well below their long-term average of 0.57, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FAD vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FAD	FDL
Industrials	26.1%	3.8%
Technology	24.1%	1.1%
Healthcare	15.4%	16.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.8%	3.8%
Financial Services	8.0%	15.1%
Real Estate	4.1%	-
Communication Services	3.1%	10.6%
Basic Materials	3.0%	0.3%
Consumer Defensive	2.4%	14.7%
Energy	1.6%	27.3%
Utilities	1.6%	6.5%

Return for Risk

FAD vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

FAD

FAD Risk / Return Rank: 59
FAD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
FAD Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
FAD Omega Ratio Rank: 51
FAD Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
FAD Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

FAD vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FAD) 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.

	FAD	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	2.11	-0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.59	3.25	-0.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.37	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.25	5.56	-2.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.54	13.56	-1.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FAD vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FAD Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FAD 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

	FAD	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.88	2.11	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	0.88	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69	0.66	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.45	+0.05

Drawdowns

FAD vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAD drawdown since its inception was -54.33%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAD and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	FAD	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.33%	-65.93%	+11.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.66%	-4.27%	-6.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.55%	-12.24%	-11.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.99%	-16.46%	-15.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.25%	-41.40%	+4.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.15%	-2.18%	+2.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.64%	-9.66%	+0.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.76%	1.75%	+1.01%

Volatility

FAD vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FAD) has a higher volatility of 6.01% compared to First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) at 2.85%. This indicates that FAD'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

	FAD	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.01%	2.85%	+3.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.14%	7.87%	+6.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.50%	11.28%	+7.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.53%	14.31%	+6.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.18%	17.11%	+4.07%

FAD vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

FAD has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

FAD vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

FAD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.09%, less than FDL's 3.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FAD First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	0.09%	0.09%	0.59%	0.51%	0.60%	0.09%	0.32%	0.48%	0.20%	0.22%	0.64%	0.41%
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 FAD and FDL in my portfolio?

FAD and FDL have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FAD or FDL?

FAD has higher volatility (6.01%) compared to FDL (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAD dropped -54.33% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, FAD or FDL?

On 10-year performance, FAD leads with 14.53% vs 11.24% for FDL. 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, FAD or FDL?

Over the 10-year period, FAD has performed better with a 14.53% return vs 11.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FAD or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.63% for FAD.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.68%, compared with 0.09% for FAD.

What is the main difference between FAD and FDL?

FAD is categorized as Mid Cap Growth Equities, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. FAD tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Multi Cap Growth Index, while FDL tracks Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Their fees differ too: 0.63% for FAD and 0.45% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.88), 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.