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FDD vs. FGD
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FDD vs. FGD

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

FDD (First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund) and FGD (First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FDD is a Europe Equities fund tracking the STOXX Europe Select Dividend 30, while FGD is a Global Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FDD returned 10.93%/yr vs 10.39%/yr for FGD. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FDD charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for FGD.

Performance

FDD vs. FGD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (FDD) and First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDD achieves a 13.65% return, which is significantly higher than FGD's 12.92% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FDD having a 10.93% annualized return and FGD not far behind at 10.39%.

FDD

1D
0.81%
1M
1.80%
YTD
13.65%
6M
17.76%
1Y
33.97%
3Y*
26.21%
5Y*
11.32%
10Y*
10.93%

FGD

1D
0.35%
1M
1.25%
YTD
12.92%
6M
13.97%
1Y
32.81%
3Y*
22.51%
5Y*
10.83%
10Y*
10.39%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FDD vs. FGD - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FDD
First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund		13.65%62.50%0.28%14.16%-16.14%16.03%-3.80%23.79%-8.98%19.07%
FGD
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund		12.92%44.42%5.71%8.20%-7.25%20.83%-5.23%20.64%-12.49%17.87%

Correlation

The correlation between FDD and FGD is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.84

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.86

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.88

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.87

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 27, 2007

0.76

The correlation between FDD and FGD shifts across timeframes, from 0.76 (all time) to 0.88 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FDD vs. FGD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FDD
FGD

Financial Services

52.2%
33.6%

Industrials

12.5%
14.3%

Consumer Cyclical

12.3%
8.8%

Energy

10.8%
10.0%

Utilities

6.0%
4.9%

Consumer Defensive

3.7%
9.2%

Real Estate

3.5%
2.4%

Basic Materials

2.9%
6.4%

Communication Services

2.1%
9.3%

Healthcare

-

-

Technology

-

1.2%

Financial Services

FDD
52.2%
FGD
33.6%

Industrials

FDD
12.5%
FGD
14.3%

Consumer Cyclical

FDD
12.3%
FGD
8.8%

Energy

FDD
10.8%
FGD
10.0%

Utilities

FDD
6.0%
FGD
4.9%

Consumer Defensive

FDD
3.7%
FGD
9.2%

Real Estate

FDD
3.5%
FGD
2.4%

Basic Materials

FDD
2.9%
FGD
6.4%

Communication Services

FDD
2.1%
FGD
9.3%

Healthcare

FDD

-

FGD

-

Technology

FDD

-

FGD
1.2%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund

First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund

Often compared with FDD:
FDD vs. EUFNFDD vs. FLAXFDD vs. VTIFDD vs. RFEUFDD vs. IQDFFDD vs. DVYFDD vs. IEUR
Often compared with FGD:
FGD vs. VYMIFGD vs. IDVFGD vs. SCHDFGD vs. DIVFGD vs. SPYDFGD vs. HYGFGD vs. SJNK

Return for Risk

FDD vs. FGD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FDD
FDD Risk / Return Rank: 7575
Overall Rank
FDD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7676
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FDD Sortino Ratio Rank: 7575
Sortino Ratio Rank
FDD Omega Ratio Rank: 7171
Omega Ratio Rank
FDD Calmar Ratio Rank: 7979
Calmar Ratio Rank
FDD Martin Ratio Rank: 7373
Martin Ratio Rank
FGD
FGD Risk / Return Rank: 8080
Overall Rank
FGD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8787
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FGD Sortino Ratio Rank: 8686
Sortino Ratio Rank
FGD Omega Ratio Rank: 8585
Omega Ratio Rank
FGD Calmar Ratio Rank: 7373
Calmar Ratio Rank
FGD Martin Ratio Rank: 7070
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

FDD vs. FGD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (FDD) and First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD). 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.

FDDFGDDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.11
2.48

-0.37

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.91
3.37

-0.46

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.36

1.45

-0.09

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.58

3.23

+0.35

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.88

11.28

+0.60

FDD vs. FGD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDD Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is comparable to the FGD Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDD and FGD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

FDD vs. FGD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDD drawdown since its inception was -74.77%, which is greater than FGD's maximum drawdown of -68.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDD and FGD.

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Drawdown Indicators

FDDFGDDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-74.77%

-68.05%

-6.72%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.39%

-9.82%

+0.43%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.06%

-11.50%

-1.56%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-35.11%

-28.68%

-6.43%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-41.43%

-44.84%

+3.41%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.40%

-0.44%

+0.04%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-35.41%

-12.55%

-22.86%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.83%

2.81%

+0.02%

Volatility

FDD vs. FGD - Volatility Comparison

First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (FDD) has a higher volatility of 5.91% compared to First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) at 3.57%. This indicates that FDD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FGD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

FDDFGDDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.91%

3.57%

+2.34%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

12.98%

9.98%

+3.00%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.93%

12.81%

+3.12%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.48%

14.95%

+3.53%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

20.16%

18.21%

+1.95%

FDD vs. FGD - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDD has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is lower than FGD's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDD vs. FGD - Dividend Comparison

FDD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.48%, less than FGD's 5.01% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FDD
First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund		3.48%3.99%7.65%6.85%6.07%3.44%4.01%4.69%5.05%2.78%4.88%4.35%
FGD
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund		5.01%5.62%5.87%6.44%5.74%5.35%6.17%5.19%5.88%4.01%4.36%5.07%

Frequently Asked Questions

FDD and FGD have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

FDD has higher volatility (5.91%) compared to FGD (3.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDD dropped -74.77% vs FGD's -68.05%.

On 10-year performance, FDD leads with 10.93% vs 10.39% for FGD. On fees, FDD is cheaper at 0.58% per year. On volatility, FGD has been the lower-risk option at 3.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, FDD has performed better with a 10.93% return vs 10.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

FDD is cheaper with a 0.58% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for FGD.

FGD has the higher dividend yield at 5.01%, compared with 3.48% for FDD.

FDD is categorized as Europe Equities, while FGD is Global Equities. FDD tracks STOXX Europe Select Dividend 30, while FGD tracks Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for FDD and 0.59% for FGD.

FGD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 2.11), 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.

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