FAUG vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FAUG (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FAUG is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index August, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FAUG returned 8.91%/yr vs 12.69%/yr for FDL. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FAUG charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

FAUG vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August (FAUG) 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, FAUG achieves a 6.31% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 14.21% return.

FAUG

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 1.95%
• YTD: 6.31%
• 6M: 6.83%
• 1Y: 18.23%
• 3Y*: 14.59%
• 5Y*: 8.91%
• 10Y*: —

FDL

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: 0.32%
• YTD: 14.21%
• 6M: 15.52%
• 1Y: 25.50%
• 3Y*: 19.57%
• 5Y*: 12.69%
• 10Y*: 11.28%

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

FAUG vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
FAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August	6.31%	13.77%	14.55%	17.24%	-10.52%	11.54%	12.43%	2.37%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	14.21%	14.79%	17.98%	2.94%	6.66%	26.10%	-4.30%	1.42%

Correlation

The correlation between FAUG 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	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 8, 2019	0.59

Over the past year, the correlation between FAUG and FDL has dropped to 0.19 - well below their long-term average of 0.59, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FAUG vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FAUG	FDL
Technology	35.6%	1.1%
Financial Services	11.8%	15.1%
Communication Services	11.2%	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	3.8%
Healthcare	8.5%	16.8%
Industrials	8.3%	3.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	14.7%
Energy	3.5%	27.3%
Utilities	2.4%	6.5%
Real Estate	1.9%	-
Basic Materials	1.8%	0.3%

Return for Risk

FAUG vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

FAUG

FAUG Risk / Return Rank: 81
FAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
FAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
FAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 85
FAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
FAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 85

FDL

FDL Risk / Return Rank: 77
FDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
FDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
FDL Omega Ratio Rank: 67
FDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
FDL Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

FAUG vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August (FAUG) 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.

	FAUG	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.54	2.27	+0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.64	3.49	+0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.40	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.48	5.99	-2.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.65	14.59	+3.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FAUG vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FAUG Sharpe Ratio is 2.54, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FAUG 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

	FAUG	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.54	2.27	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83	0.89	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.66	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.78	0.45	+0.33

Drawdowns

FAUG vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAUG drawdown since its inception was -22.33%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAUG and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	FAUG	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.33%	-65.93%	+43.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.26%	-4.27%	-0.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.81%	-12.24%	-0.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.91%	-16.46%	+0.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.40%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.00%	-1.41%	+1.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.83%	-9.66%	+6.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.04%	1.75%	-0.71%

Volatility

FAUG vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August (FAUG) is 0.92%, while First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) has a volatility of 2.95%. This indicates that FAUG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FDL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FAUG	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.92%	2.95%	-2.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.45%	7.85%	-2.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.21%	11.30%	-4.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.76%	14.31%	-3.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.75%	17.11%	-4.36%

FAUG vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

FAUG has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

FAUG vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

FAUG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FDL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.65%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FAUG FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - August	0.00%	0.00%	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	3.65%	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 FAUG and FDL in my portfolio?

FAUG 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, FAUG or FDL?

FDL has higher volatility (2.95%) compared to FAUG (0.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAUG dropped -22.33% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, FAUG or FDL?

On 5-year performance, FDL leads with 12.69% vs 8.91% for FAUG. On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, FAUG has been the lower-risk option at 0.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FAUG or FDL?

Over the 5-year period, FDL has performed better with a 12.69% return vs 8.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FAUG or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for FAUG.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.65%, compared with 0.00% for FAUG.

What is the main difference between FAUG and FDL?

FAUG is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. FAUG tracks Cboe S&P 500 Buffer Protect Index August, while FDL tracks Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for FAUG and 0.45% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.54 vs 2.27), 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.