FDL vs. CSMD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) and CSMD (Congress SMID Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index, while CSMD is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Congress. FDL is passively managed, while CSMD is actively managed. Over the past year, FDL returned 23.67% vs 14.97% for CSMD. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FDL charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for CSMD.

Performance

FDL vs. CSMD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) and Congress SMID Growth ETF (CSMD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDL achieves a 13.33% return, which is significantly higher than CSMD's 10.72% return.

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%

CSMD

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: 7.59%
• YTD: 10.72%
• 6M: 8.83%
• 1Y: 14.97%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FDL vs. CSMD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	13.33%	14.79%	17.98%	7.70%
CSMD Congress SMID Growth ETF	10.72%	5.68%	12.70%	6.44%

Correlation

The correlation between FDL and CSMD is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 23, 2023	0.44

Over the past year, the correlation between FDL and CSMD has dropped to 0.22 - well below their long-term average of 0.44, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FDL vs. CSMD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FDL	CSMD
Energy	27.3%	3.6%
Healthcare	16.8%	14.6%
Financial Services	15.1%	3.7%
Consumer Defensive	14.7%	6.8%
Communication Services	10.6%	-
Utilities	6.5%	-
Industrials	3.8%	31.1%
Consumer Cyclical	3.8%	8.7%
Technology	1.1%	25.3%
Basic Materials	0.3%	2.0%
Real Estate	-	1.6%

Return for Risk

FDL vs. CSMD — 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

CSMD

CSMD Risk / Return Rank: 24
CSMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
CSMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
CSMD Omega Ratio Rank: 23
CSMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
CSMD Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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.

FDL vs. CSMD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) and Congress SMID Growth ETF (CSMD). 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.

	FDL	CSMD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	0.79	+1.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.25	1.24	+2.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.15	+0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.56	1.02	+4.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.56	3.09	+10.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FDL vs. CSMD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDL Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is higher than the CSMD Sharpe Ratio of 0.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDL and CSMD, 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

	FDL	CSMD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.11	0.79	+1.31
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	0.45	0.66	-0.21

Drawdowns

FDL vs. CSMD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDL drawdown since its inception was -65.93%, which is greater than CSMD's maximum drawdown of -22.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDL and CSMD.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDL	CSMD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.93%	-22.54%	-43.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.27%	-14.79%	+10.52%
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	-2.18%	0.00%	-2.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.66%	-4.75%	-4.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.75%	4.85%	-3.10%

Volatility

FDL vs. CSMD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) is 2.85%, while Congress SMID Growth ETF (CSMD) has a volatility of 6.03%. This indicates that FDL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CSMD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FDL	CSMD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.85%	6.03%	-3.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.87%	14.45%	-6.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.28%	18.97%	-7.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.31%	19.77%	-5.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.11%	19.77%	-2.66%

FDL vs. CSMD - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDL has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than CSMD's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDL vs. CSMD - Dividend Comparison

FDL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.68%, while CSMD has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CSMD Congress SMID Growth ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.40%	0.02%	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 FDL and CSMD in my portfolio?

FDL and CSMD have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FDL or CSMD?

CSMD has higher volatility (6.03%) compared to FDL (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDL dropped -65.93% vs CSMD's -22.54%.

Which ETF is better, FDL or CSMD?

On 1-year performance, FDL leads with 23.67% vs 14.97% for CSMD. On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, FDL has been the lower-risk option at 2.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FDL or CSMD?

Over the 1-year period, FDL has performed better with a 23.67% return vs 14.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FDL or CSMD?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for CSMD.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.68%, compared with 0.00% for CSMD.

What is the main difference between FDL and CSMD?

FDL is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while CSMD is Mid Cap Growth Equities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Congress. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for FDL and 0.68% for CSMD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 0.79), 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.