FEM vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FEM (First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX EM Index, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FEM returned 9.68%/yr vs 11.28%/yr for FDL. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FEM charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

FEM vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FEM achieves a 20.27% return, which is significantly higher than FDL's 14.21% return. Over the past 10 years, FEM has underperformed FDL with an annualized return of 9.68%, while FDL has yielded a comparatively higher 11.28% annualized return.

FEM

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: -1.96%
• YTD: 20.27%
• 6M: 22.14%
• 1Y: 41.40%
• 3Y*: 20.55%
• 5Y*: 7.31%
• 10Y*: 9.68%

FDL

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: 0.32%
• YTD: 14.21%
• 6M: 15.52%
• 1Y: 25.50%
• 3Y*: 19.57%
• 5Y*: 12.69%
• 10Y*: 11.28%

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

FEM vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FEM First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund	20.27%	28.36%	3.01%	10.84%	-14.24%	7.40%	-1.68%	20.55%	-15.51%	41.05%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	14.21%	14.79%	17.98%	2.94%	6.66%	26.10%	-4.30%	24.41%	-5.99%	12.02%

Correlation

The correlation between FEM and FDL is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.32
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 20, 2011	0.52

Over the past year, the correlation between FEM and FDL has dropped to 0.16 - well below their long-term average of 0.52, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FEM vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FEM	FDL
Technology	24.5%	1.1%
Industrials	20.9%	3.8%
Energy	14.1%	27.3%
Basic Materials	8.6%	0.3%
Financial Services	7.0%	15.1%
Utilities	6.2%	6.5%
Consumer Cyclical	5.7%	3.8%
Communication Services	4.6%	10.6%
Healthcare	3.1%	16.8%
Consumer Defensive	2.8%	14.7%
Real Estate	2.5%	-

Return for Risk

FEM vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

FEM

FEM Risk / Return Rank: 76
FEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
FEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
FEM Omega Ratio Rank: 72
FEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
FEM Martin Ratio Rank: 84

FDL

FDL Risk / Return Rank: 77
FDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
FDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
FDL Omega Ratio Rank: 67
FDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
FDL Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

FEM vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund (FEM) and First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL). 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.

	FEM	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.39	2.27	+0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.05	3.49	-0.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.40	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.47	5.99	-1.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.89	14.59	+2.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FEM vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.39, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FEM and FDL, 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

	FEM	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.39	2.27	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40	0.89	-0.49
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46	0.66	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.19	0.45	-0.26

Drawdowns

FEM vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FEM drawdown since its inception was -46.23%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FEM and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	FEM	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.23%	-65.93%	+19.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.31%	-4.27%	-5.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.79%	-12.24%	-6.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.72%	-16.46%	-15.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.23%	-41.40%	-4.83%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.59%	-1.41%	-1.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.04%	-9.66%	-5.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.46%	1.75%	+0.71%

Volatility

FEM vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund (FEM) has a higher volatility of 6.05% compared to First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) at 2.95%. This indicates that FEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FDL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FEM	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.05%	2.95%	+3.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.47%	7.85%	+6.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.39%	11.30%	+6.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.39%	14.31%	+4.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.96%	17.11%	+3.85%

FEM vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

FEM has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

FEM vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

FEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.58%, less than FDL's 3.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	3.65%	4.04%	4.96%	4.58%	3.58%	4.59%	4.48%	3.75%	3.97%	3.18%	2.93%	3.65%
FEM First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund	2.58%	3.13%	3.66%	4.96%	6.15%	4.15%	2.68%	3.31%	3.52%	2.45%	2.25%	3.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FEM and FDL in my portfolio?

FEM and FDL have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FEM or FDL?

FEM has higher volatility (6.05%) compared to FDL (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FEM dropped -46.23% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, FEM or FDL?

On 10-year performance, FDL leads with 11.28% vs 9.68% for FEM. On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, FDL has been the lower-risk option at 2.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FEM or FDL?

Over the 10-year period, FDL has performed better with a 11.28% return vs 9.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FEM or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FEM.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.65%, compared with 2.58% for FEM.

What is the main difference between FEM and FDL?

FEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. FEM tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX EM Index, while FDL tracks Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for FEM and 0.45% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 2.27), 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.