FDN vs. POLIX

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

FDN (First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index) and POLIX (Polen Growth Fund) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, FDN returned 13.82%/yr vs 11.78%/yr for POLIX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FDN charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for POLIX.

Performance

FDN vs. POLIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index (FDN) and Polen Growth Fund (POLIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDN achieves a 2.09% return, which is significantly higher than POLIX's -10.21% return. Over the past 10 years, FDN has outperformed POLIX with an annualized return of 13.82%, while POLIX has yielded a comparatively lower 11.78% annualized return.

FDN

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: 3.95%
• 6M: 2.15%
• YTD: 2.09%
• 1Y: 4.07%
• 3Y*: 17.22%
• 5Y*: 2.45%
• 10Y*: 13.82%

POLIX

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.78%
• 6M: -11.57%
• YTD: -10.21%
• 1Y: -8.22%
• 3Y*: 7.98%
• 5Y*: 0.48%
• 10Y*: 11.78%

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

FDN vs. POLIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FDN First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index	2.09%	10.70%	30.35%	51.48%	-45.54%	6.55%	52.55%	19.25%	6.17%	37.64%
POLIX Polen Growth Fund	-10.21%	3.87%	22.57%	39.17%	-38.36%	23.51%	33.25%	37.34%	7.74%	26.47%

Correlation

The correlation between FDN and POLIX is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 16, 2010	0.85

The correlation between FDN and POLIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FDN vs. POLIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDN

FDN Risk / Return Rank: 12
FDN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
FDN Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
FDN Omega Ratio Rank: 12
FDN Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
FDN Martin Ratio Rank: 12

POLIX

POLIX Risk / Return Rank: 1
POLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
POLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
POLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
POLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
POLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 1

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. POLIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index (FDN) and Polen Growth Fund (POLIX). 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.

	FDN	POLIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.21	-0.55	+0.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.41	-0.64	+1.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	0.92	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.19	-0.40	+0.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.47	-0.88	+1.35

FDN vs. POLIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDN Sharpe Ratio is 0.21, which is higher than the POLIX Sharpe Ratio of -0.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDN and POLIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FDN vs. POLIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDN drawdown since its inception was -61.55%, which is greater than POLIX's maximum drawdown of -42.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDN and POLIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDN	POLIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.55%	-42.84%	-18.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.31%	-23.94%	+2.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.98%	-23.94%	-1.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-53.97%	-42.84%	-11.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-53.97%	-42.84%	-11.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.16%	-14.09%	+8.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.80%	-7.13%	-4.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.73%	10.65%	-1.92%

Volatility

FDN vs. POLIX - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index (FDN) has a higher volatility of 6.43% compared to Polen Growth Fund (POLIX) at 5.11%. This indicates that FDN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than POLIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FDN	POLIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.43%	5.11%	+1.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.84%	14.03%	+1.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.88%	17.40%	+2.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.40%	23.06%	+4.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.61%	21.89%	+3.72%

FDN vs. POLIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDN has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is lower than POLIX's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDN vs. POLIX - Dividend Comparison

FDN has not paid dividends to shareholders, while POLIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 40.49%.

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%
POLIX Polen Growth Fund	40.49%	36.35%	10.47%	0.00%	10.54%	3.97%	1.25%	0.12%	2.77%	1.66%	0.01%	4.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FDN and POLIX in my portfolio?

FDN and POLIX have a correlation of 0.82, 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 POLIX?

FDN has higher volatility (6.43%) compared to POLIX (5.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDN dropped -61.55% vs POLIX's -42.84%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.21 vs -0.55), 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.