FGD vs. ACTV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FGD (First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund) and ACTV (LeaderShares Activist Leaders ETF) are both Global Equities funds. FGD is passively managed, while ACTV is actively managed. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FGD charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for ACTV.

Performance

FGD vs. ACTV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) and LeaderShares Activist Leaders ETF (ACTV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

FGD

• 1D: -1.27%
• 1M: 1.09%
• YTD: 11.09%
• 6M: 12.57%
• 1Y: 33.36%
• 3Y*: 22.45%
• 5Y*: 10.37%
• 10Y*: 9.79%

ACTV

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FGD vs. ACTV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
FGD First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund	11.09%	44.42%	5.71%	8.20%	-7.25%	20.83%	21.94%
ACTV LeaderShares Activist Leaders ETF	0.00%	3.13%	-1.70%	15.22%	-19.33%	25.52%	27.02%

Correlation

The correlation between FGD and ACTV is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 28, 2020	0.68

Over the past year, the correlation between FGD and ACTV has dropped to 0.37 - well below their long-term average of 0.68, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FGD vs. ACTV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FGD	ACTV
Financial Services	33.6%	98.5%
Industrials	14.3%	6.6%
Energy	10.0%	2.1%
Communication Services	9.3%	12.3%
Consumer Defensive	9.2%	6.8%
Consumer Cyclical	8.8%	12.0%
Basic Materials	6.4%	1.2%
Utilities	4.9%	3.0%
Real Estate	2.4%	9.3%
Technology	1.2%	30.1%
Healthcare	-	7.1%

Return for Risk

FGD vs. ACTV — Risk / Return Rank

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

FGD

FGD Risk / Return Rank: 74
FGD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
FGD Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
FGD Omega Ratio Rank: 79
FGD Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
FGD Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

FGD vs. ACTV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) and LeaderShares Activist Leaders ETF (ACTV). 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.

	FGD	ACTV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.67	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.59	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.41	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.03	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FGD	ACTV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.67	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	—	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	FGD	ACTV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.05%	—	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.82%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.50%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.68%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.84%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.05%	—	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.57%	—	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.78%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	FGD	ACTV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.20%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.73%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.56%	—	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.92%	—	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.23%	—	—

FGD vs. ACTV - Expense Ratio Comparison

FGD has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than ACTV's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

FGD vs. ACTV - Dividend Comparison

FGD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.09%, more than ACTV's 1.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACTV LeaderShares Activist Leaders ETF	1.28%	1.28%	0.80%	1.18%	0.28%	7.63%	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FGD First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund	5.09%	5.62%	5.87%	6.44%	5.74%	5.35%	6.17%	5.19%	5.88%	4.01%	4.36%	5.07%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FGD and ACTV in my portfolio?

FGD and ACTV have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, FGD or ACTV?

On fees, FGD is cheaper at 0.59% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, FGD or ACTV?

FGD is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ACTV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FGD or ACTV?

FGD has the higher dividend yield at 5.09%, compared with 1.28% for ACTV.

What is the main difference between FGD and ACTV?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Redwood. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for FGD and 0.75% for ACTV.