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FDD vs. RFEU
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FDD vs. RFEU

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

FDD (First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund) and RFEU (First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF) are both Europe Equities funds from First Trust. FDD is passively managed, while RFEU is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, FDD returned 10.97%/yr vs 8.10%/yr for RFEU. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FDD charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.83%/yr for RFEU.

Performance

FDD vs. RFEU - 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 RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF (RFEU). 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 12.28% return, which is significantly higher than RFEU's 1.50% return. Over the past 10 years, FDD has outperformed RFEU with an annualized return of 10.97%, while RFEU has yielded a comparatively lower 8.10% annualized return.

FDD

1D
0.82%
1M
-0.43%
YTD
12.28%
6M
12.99%
1Y
33.73%
3Y*
27.03%
5Y*
11.90%
10Y*
10.97%

RFEU

1D
0.00%
1M
0.00%
YTD
1.50%
6M
2.22%
1Y
14.76%
3Y*
12.26%
5Y*
3.97%
10Y*
8.10%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FDD vs. RFEU - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FDD
First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund		12.28%62.50%0.28%14.16%-16.14%16.03%-3.80%23.79%-8.98%19.07%
RFEU
First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF		1.50%30.78%-1.78%16.19%-24.17%22.83%6.25%23.21%-17.57%26.58%

Correlation

The correlation between FDD and RFEU is 0.52, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

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

0.52

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

0.67

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

0.72

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

0.73

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 14, 2016

0.73

Over the past year, the correlation between FDD and RFEU has dropped to 0.52 - well below their long-term average of 0.73, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FDD vs. RFEU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FDD
RFEU

Financial Services

52.0%
18.9%

Industrials

13.3%
15.4%

Consumer Cyclical

12.3%
10.6%

Energy

10.4%
8.7%

Utilities

6.0%
6.4%

Consumer Defensive

3.6%
9.3%

Real Estate

3.3%

-

Basic Materials

3.1%
1.2%

Communication Services

2.1%
3.8%

Healthcare

-

13.3%

Technology

-

12.5%

Financial Services

FDD
52.0%
RFEU
18.9%

Industrials

FDD
13.3%
RFEU
15.4%

Consumer Cyclical

FDD
12.3%
RFEU
10.6%

Energy

FDD
10.4%
RFEU
8.7%

Utilities

FDD
6.0%
RFEU
6.4%

Consumer Defensive

FDD
3.6%
RFEU
9.3%

Real Estate

FDD
3.3%
RFEU

-

Basic Materials

FDD
3.1%
RFEU
1.2%

Communication Services

FDD
2.1%
RFEU
3.8%

Healthcare

FDD

-

RFEU
13.3%

Technology

FDD

-

RFEU
12.5%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund

First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF

Often compared with FDD:
FDD vs. EUFNFDD vs. FLAXFDD vs. VTIFDD vs. IQDFFDD vs. DVYFDD vs. IEURFDD vs. DFE
Often compared with RFEU:
RFEU vs. SPMORFEU vs. ONEQRFEU vs. HEDJRFEU vs. VTAPXRFEU vs. VEUR.LRFEU vs. IEVRFEU vs. EZU

Return for Risk

FDD vs. RFEU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FDD
FDD Risk / Return Rank: 6767
Overall Rank
FDD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6868
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FDD Sortino Ratio Rank: 6666
Sortino Ratio Rank
FDD Omega Ratio Rank: 6161
Omega Ratio Rank
FDD Calmar Ratio Rank: 7373
Calmar Ratio Rank
FDD Martin Ratio Rank: 6767
Martin Ratio Rank
RFEU
RFEU Risk / Return Rank: 6767
Overall Rank
RFEU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6060
Sharpe Ratio Rank
RFEU Sortino Ratio Rank: 6464
Sortino Ratio Rank
RFEU Omega Ratio Rank: 7979
Omega Ratio Rank
RFEU Calmar Ratio Rank: 6666
Calmar Ratio Rank
RFEU Martin Ratio Rank: 6767
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. RFEU - 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 RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF (RFEU). 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.

FDDRFEUDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.12
1.94

+0.18

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.92
2.86

+0.06

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.36

1.45

-0.09

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.61

3.16

+0.45

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.95

11.94

+0.01

FDD vs. RFEU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDD Sharpe Ratio is 2.12, which is comparable to the RFEU Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDD and RFEU, 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. RFEU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDD drawdown since its inception was -74.77%, which is greater than RFEU's maximum drawdown of -39.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDD and RFEU.

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Drawdown Indicators

FDDRFEUDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-74.77%

-39.74%

-35.03%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.39%

-5.15%

-4.24%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.06%

-13.48%

+0.42%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-34.84%

-35.92%

+1.08%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-41.43%

-39.74%

-1.69%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.61%

-0.11%

-1.50%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-35.37%

-9.58%

-25.79%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.83%

1.35%

+1.48%

Volatility

FDD vs. RFEU - Volatility Comparison

First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (FDD) has a higher volatility of 5.22% compared to First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF (RFEU) at 0.00%. This indicates that FDD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RFEU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

FDDRFEUDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.22%

0.00%

+5.22%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.00%

3.58%

+9.42%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.98%

8.40%

+7.58%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.46%

16.76%

+1.70%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

20.12%

17.76%

+2.36%

FDD vs. RFEU - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDD has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is lower than RFEU's 0.83% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDD vs. RFEU - Dividend Comparison

FDD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.52%, more than RFEU's 2.83% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FDD
First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund		3.52%3.99%7.65%6.85%6.07%3.44%4.01%4.69%5.05%2.78%4.88%4.35%
RFEU
First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF		2.83%2.87%5.45%3.37%4.98%1.82%2.32%3.08%2.84%1.35%3.16%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

FDD and RFEU have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

FDD has higher volatility (5.22%) compared to RFEU (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDD dropped -74.77% vs RFEU's -39.74%.

On 10-year performance, FDD leads with 10.97% vs 8.10% for RFEU. On fees, FDD is cheaper at 0.58% per year. On volatility, RFEU has been the lower-risk option at 0.00%. 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 10.97% return vs 8.10%. 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 0.83% for RFEU.

FDD has the higher dividend yield at 3.52%, compared with 2.83% for RFEU.

Their fees differ too: 0.58% for FDD and 0.83% for RFEU.

FDD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 1.94), 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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