FDN vs. IUSG

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FDN (First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index) and IUSG (iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - FDN tracks the Dow Jones Internet Index while IUSG tracks the Russell 3000 Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FDN returned 14.33%/yr vs 17.82%/yr for IUSG. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FDN charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for IUSG.

Performance

FDN vs. IUSG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index (FDN) and iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF (IUSG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDN achieves a 4.35% return, which is significantly lower than IUSG's 14.00% return. Over the past 10 years, FDN has underperformed IUSG with an annualized return of 14.33%, while IUSG has yielded a comparatively higher 17.82% annualized return.

FDN

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 4.90%
• YTD: 4.35%
• 6M: 3.44%
• 1Y: 9.38%
• 3Y*: 20.62%
• 5Y*: 4.28%
• 10Y*: 14.33%

IUSG

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 6.40%
• YTD: 14.00%
• 6M: 13.31%
• 1Y: 33.47%
• 3Y*: 27.62%
• 5Y*: 15.67%
• 10Y*: 17.82%

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

FDN vs. IUSG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FDN First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index	4.35%	10.70%	30.35%	51.48%	-45.54%	6.55%	52.55%	19.25%	6.17%	37.64%
IUSG iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF	14.00%	21.23%	34.70%	29.28%	-28.81%	31.26%	32.65%	30.62%	-0.79%	27.02%

Correlation

The correlation between FDN and IUSG is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2006	0.85

The correlation between FDN and IUSG shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (1 year) to 0.85 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FDN vs. IUSG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FDN	IUSG
Technology	37.7%	48.0%
Communication Services	29.7%	17.1%
Consumer Cyclical	27.7%	9.3%
Financial Services	2.4%	8.8%
Industrials	1.4%	7.5%
Healthcare	1.1%	6.2%
Basic Materials	-	0.5%
Consumer Defensive	-	1.0%
Energy	-	0.2%
Real Estate	-	0.9%
Utilities	-	0.5%

Return for Risk

FDN vs. IUSG — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDN

FDN Risk / Return Rank: 16
FDN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
FDN Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
FDN Omega Ratio Rank: 17
FDN Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
FDN Martin Ratio Rank: 15

IUSG

IUSG Risk / Return Rank: 61
IUSG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
IUSG Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
IUSG Omega Ratio Rank: 62
IUSG Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
IUSG Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

FDN vs. IUSG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index (FDN) and iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF (IUSG). 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.

	FDN	IUSG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.50	2.14	-1.64
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.78	2.90	-2.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.37	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.44	2.57	-2.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.13	10.95	-9.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FDN vs. IUSG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDN Sharpe Ratio is 0.50, which is lower than the IUSG Sharpe Ratio of 2.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDN and IUSG, 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

	FDN	IUSG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50	2.14	-1.64
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16	0.75	-0.60
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.88	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.38	+0.17

Drawdowns

FDN vs. IUSG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDN drawdown since its inception was -61.55%, roughly equal to the maximum IUSG drawdown of -63.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDN and IUSG.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDN	IUSG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.55%	-63.41%	+1.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.31%	-13.07%	-8.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.98%	-22.28%	-2.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-53.97%	-32.21%	-21.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-53.97%	-32.35%	-21.62%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.06%	-1.05%	-2.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.82%	-21.44%	+9.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.35%	3.06%	+5.29%

Volatility

FDN vs. IUSG - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index (FDN) has a higher volatility of 5.14% compared to iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF (IUSG) at 4.22%. This indicates that FDN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IUSG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FDN	IUSG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.14%	4.22%	+0.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.42%	12.23%	+2.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.03%	15.71%	+3.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.24%	20.86%	+6.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.60%	20.40%	+5.20%

FDN vs. IUSG - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDN has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than IUSG's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDN vs. IUSG - Dividend Comparison

FDN has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IUSG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.47%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDN First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IUSG iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF	0.47%	0.53%	0.59%	1.12%	1.07%	0.59%	0.93%	1.64%	1.32%	1.28%	1.48%	1.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FDN and IUSG in my portfolio?

FDN and IUSG have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FDN or IUSG?

FDN has higher volatility (5.14%) compared to IUSG (4.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDN dropped -61.55% vs IUSG's -63.41%.

Which ETF is better, FDN or IUSG?

On 10-year performance, IUSG leads with 17.82% vs 14.33% for FDN. On fees, IUSG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, IUSG has been the lower-risk option at 4.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FDN or IUSG?

Over the 10-year period, IUSG has performed better with a 17.82% return vs 14.33%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FDN or IUSG?

IUSG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.52% for FDN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FDN or IUSG?

IUSG has the higher dividend yield at 0.47%, compared with 0.00% for FDN.

What is the main difference between FDN and IUSG?

FDN tracks Dow Jones Internet Index, while IUSG tracks Russell 3000 Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.52% for FDN and 0.04% for IUSG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IUSG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 0.50), 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.