FBDC vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FBDC (FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FBDC is a Financials Equities fund actively managed by First Trust, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. FBDC is actively managed, while FDL is passively managed. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FBDC charges 1.35%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

FBDC vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF (FBDC) 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, FBDC achieves a -9.51% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 13.33% return.

FBDC

• 1D: -2.98%
• 1M: -7.81%
• YTD: -9.51%
• 6M: -10.31%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

FBDC vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FBDC FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF	-9.51%	-2.43%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	13.33%	8.26%

Correlation

The correlation between FBDC and FDL is 0.28, 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 Jul 1, 2025	0.28

Return for Risk

FBDC vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

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.

FBDC vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF (FBDC) 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FBDC	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.11	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.88	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.66	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.70	0.45	-1.15

Drawdowns

FBDC vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FBDC drawdown since its inception was -20.60%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FBDC and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	FBDC	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.60%	-65.93%	+45.33%
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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.24%	-2.18%	-15.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.14%	-9.66%	-0.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.75%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	FBDC	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.85%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	7.87%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.06%	11.28%	+6.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.06%	14.31%	+3.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.06%	17.11%	+0.95%

FBDC vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

FBDC has a 1.35% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

FBDC vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

FBDC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.52%, more than FDL's 3.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FBDC FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF	11.52%	5.41%	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

Can I hold both FBDC and FDL in my portfolio?

FBDC and FDL have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, FBDC or FDL?

On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.45% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, FBDC or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 1.35% for FBDC.

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

FBDC has the higher dividend yield at 11.52%, compared with 3.68% for FDL.

What is the main difference between FBDC and FDL?

FBDC is categorized as Financials Equities, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. Their fees differ too: 1.35% for FBDC and 0.45% for FDL.