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FDN vs. RFDA
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FDN vs. RFDA

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FDN (First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index) and RFDA (RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. FDN is passively managed, while RFDA is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, FDN returned 13.85%/yr vs 13.39%/yr for RFDA. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.52% expense ratio.

Performance

FDN vs. RFDA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index (FDN) and RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDN achieves a -3.99% return, which is significantly lower than RFDA's 10.77% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FDN having a 13.85% annualized return and RFDA not far behind at 13.39%.

FDN

1D
-0.49%
1M
-5.63%
YTD
-3.99%
6M
-4.90%
1Y
0.72%
3Y*
17.44%
5Y*
1.19%
10Y*
13.85%

RFDA

1D
0.22%
1M
0.36%
YTD
10.77%
6M
9.90%
1Y
26.59%
3Y*
18.80%
5Y*
12.89%
10Y*
13.39%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FDN vs. RFDA - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FDN
First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index		-3.99%10.70%30.35%51.48%-45.54%6.55%52.55%19.25%6.17%37.64%
RFDA
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF		10.77%16.42%20.12%16.98%-8.58%25.94%11.26%27.15%-9.27%19.86%

Correlation

The correlation between FDN and RFDA is 0.55, 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

0.55

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

0.67

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

0.69

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

0.69

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 7, 2016

0.69

The correlation between FDN and RFDA shifts across timeframes, from 0.55 (1 year) to 0.69 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FDN vs. RFDA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FDN
RFDA

Technology

43.1%
21.1%

Communication Services

27.0%
8.3%

Consumer Cyclical

25.5%
7.4%

Financial Services

2.0%
14.4%

Industrials

1.3%
8.6%

Healthcare

1.2%
9.7%

Basic Materials

-

1.9%

Consumer Defensive

-

7.0%

Energy

-

11.7%

Real Estate

-

4.9%

Utilities

-

4.8%

Technology

FDN
43.1%
RFDA
21.1%

Communication Services

FDN
27.0%
RFDA
8.3%

Consumer Cyclical

FDN
25.5%
RFDA
7.4%

Financial Services

FDN
2.0%
RFDA
14.4%

Industrials

FDN
1.3%
RFDA
8.6%

Healthcare

FDN
1.2%
RFDA
9.7%

Basic Materials

FDN

-

RFDA
1.9%

Consumer Defensive

FDN

-

RFDA
7.0%

Energy

FDN

-

RFDA
11.7%

Real Estate

FDN

-

RFDA
4.9%

Utilities

FDN

-

RFDA
4.8%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index

RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF

Often compared with FDN:
FDN vs. QQQFDN vs. FDNIFDN vs. VGTFDN vs. WEBLFDN vs. SKYYFDN vs. XLKFDN vs. KWEB
Often compared with RFDA:
RFDA vs. DGRORFDA vs. DIVBRFDA vs. AGGRFDA vs. BWXRFDA vs. HYGRFDA vs. SCHDRFDA vs. IAU

Return for Risk

FDN vs. RFDA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FDN
FDN Risk / Return Rank: 99
Overall Rank
FDN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FDN Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
Sortino Ratio Rank
FDN Omega Ratio Rank: 99
Omega Ratio Rank
FDN Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
Calmar Ratio Rank
FDN Martin Ratio Rank: 99
Martin Ratio Rank
RFDA
RFDA Risk / Return Rank: 8181
Overall Rank
RFDA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7878
Sharpe Ratio Rank
RFDA Sortino Ratio Rank: 7676
Sortino Ratio Rank
RFDA Omega Ratio Rank: 7878
Omega Ratio Rank
RFDA Calmar Ratio Rank: 8989
Calmar Ratio Rank
RFDA Martin Ratio Rank: 8787
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.

FDN vs. RFDA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index (FDN) and RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA). 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.

FDNRFDADifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.04
2.28

-2.24

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
0.18
3.14

-2.96

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.02

1.42

-0.40

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.03

4.90

-4.87

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

0.09

17.52

-17.44

FDN vs. RFDA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDN Sharpe Ratio is 0.04, which is lower than the RFDA Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDN and RFDA, 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

FDN vs. RFDA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDN drawdown since its inception was -61.55%, which is greater than RFDA's maximum drawdown of -34.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDN and RFDA.

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Drawdown Indicators

FDNRFDADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-61.55%

-34.60%

-26.95%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-21.31%

-5.45%

-15.86%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-24.98%

-19.35%

-5.63%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-53.97%

-19.35%

-34.62%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-53.97%

-34.60%

-19.37%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-10.81%

-1.67%

-9.14%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-11.81%

-3.73%

-8.08%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

8.54%

1.52%

+7.02%

Volatility

FDN vs. RFDA - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index (FDN) has a higher volatility of 7.48% compared to RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA) at 3.29%. This indicates that FDN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RFDA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

FDNRFDADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.48%

3.29%

+4.19%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

15.51%

8.77%

+6.74%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

19.77%

11.72%

+8.05%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

27.36%

15.75%

+11.61%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

25.63%

16.87%

+8.76%

FDN vs. RFDA - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both FDN and RFDA have an expense ratio of 0.52%.

Dividends

FDN vs. RFDA - Dividend Comparison

FDN has not paid dividends to shareholders, while RFDA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.80%.

PositionTTM2025202420232022202120202019201820172016
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%
RFDA
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF		1.80%1.89%2.23%2.68%3.57%1.44%1.62%1.87%2.44%1.90%0.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

FDN and RFDA have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

FDN has higher volatility (7.48%) compared to RFDA (3.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDN dropped -61.55% vs RFDA's -34.60%.

On 10-year performance, FDN leads with 13.85% vs 13.39% for RFDA. Both ETFs have the same 0.52% expense ratio. On volatility, RFDA has been the lower-risk option at 3.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, FDN has performed better with a 13.85% return vs 13.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

FDN and RFDA have the same expense ratio: 0.52% per year.

RFDA has the higher dividend yield at 1.80%, compared with 0.00% for FDN.

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and SS&C.

RFDA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 0.04), 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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