FCA vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FCA (First Trust China AlphaDEX Fund) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FCA is a China Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX China 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, FCA returned 9.89%/yr vs 11.27%/yr for FDL. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FCA charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

FCA vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust China AlphaDEX Fund (FCA) 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, FCA achieves a 11.53% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 13.62% return. Over the past 10 years, FCA has underperformed FDL with an annualized return of 9.89%, while FDL has yielded a comparatively higher 11.27% annualized return.

FCA

• 1D: 2.01%
• 1M: -4.08%
• YTD: 11.53%
• 6M: 9.85%
• 1Y: 44.90%
• 3Y*: 20.06%
• 5Y*: 5.02%
• 10Y*: 9.89%

FDL

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: -0.81%
• YTD: 13.62%
• 6M: 16.42%
• 1Y: 24.43%
• 3Y*: 19.07%
• 5Y*: 12.64%
• 10Y*: 11.27%

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

FCA vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FCA First Trust China AlphaDEX Fund	11.53%	45.20%	14.07%	-8.28%	-17.61%	-0.65%	11.80%	18.72%	-18.30%	60.26%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	13.62%	14.79%	17.98%	2.94%	6.66%	26.10%	-4.30%	24.41%	-5.99%	12.02%

Correlation

The correlation between FCA and FDL is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.11
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 25, 2011	0.28

The correlation between FCA and FDL shifts across timeframes, from 0.11 (1 year) to 0.28 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FCA vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FCA	FDL
Industrials	25.2%	3.8%
Financial Services	19.7%	15.1%
Basic Materials	19.1%	0.3%
Energy	14.8%	27.3%
Technology	10.3%	1.1%
Healthcare	3.0%	16.8%
Communication Services	2.9%	10.6%
Utilities	2.4%	6.5%
Real Estate	1.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	1.1%	3.8%
Consumer Defensive	0.5%	14.7%

Return for Risk

FCA vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

FCA

FCA Risk / Return Rank: 62
FCA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
FCA Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
FCA Omega Ratio Rank: 55
FCA Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
FCA Martin Ratio Rank: 65

FDL

FDL Risk / Return Rank: 73
FDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
FDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
FDL Omega Ratio Rank: 62
FDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
FDL Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

FCA vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust China AlphaDEX Fund (FCA) 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.

	FCA	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.02	2.18	-0.15
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.58	3.35	-0.76
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.38	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.19	5.74	-1.54
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.06	14.05	-1.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FCA vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FCA Sharpe Ratio is 2.02, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FCA 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

	FCA	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.02	2.18	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18	0.89	-0.71
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37	0.66	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.13	0.45	-0.32

Drawdowns

FCA vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCA drawdown since its inception was -45.56%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCA and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCA	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.56%	-65.93%	+20.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.13%	-4.27%	-6.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.13%	-12.24%	-13.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.47%	-16.46%	-26.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.47%	-41.40%	-1.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.87%	-1.92%	-6.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.62%	-9.66%	-11.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.87%	1.75%	+2.12%

Volatility

FCA vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

First Trust China AlphaDEX Fund (FCA) has a higher volatility of 8.36% compared to First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) at 2.95%. This indicates that FCA'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

	FCA	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.36%	2.95%	+5.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.57%	7.87%	+8.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.31%	11.27%	+11.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.59%	14.31%	+13.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.63%	17.11%	+9.52%

FCA vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

FCA has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

FCA vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

FCA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.31%, less than FDL's 3.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FCA First Trust China AlphaDEX Fund	2.31%	2.67%	5.17%	5.70%	6.00%	4.91%	4.12%	3.73%	3.10%	2.30%	2.51%	4.13%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	3.67%	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 FCA and FDL in my portfolio?

FCA and FDL have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FCA or FDL?

FCA has higher volatility (8.36%) compared to FDL (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FCA dropped -45.56% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, FCA or FDL?

On 10-year performance, FDL leads with 11.27% vs 9.89% for FCA. On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, FDL has been the lower-risk option at 2.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FCA or FDL?

Over the 10-year period, FDL has performed better with a 11.27% return vs 9.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FCA or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FCA.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.67%, compared with 2.31% for FCA.

What is the main difference between FCA and FDL?

FCA is categorized as China Equities, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. FCA tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX China Index, while FDL tracks Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for FCA and 0.45% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 2.02), 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.