FLN vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FLN (First Trust Latin America AlphaDEX Fund) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FLN is a Latin America Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Latin America 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, FLN returned 9.85%/yr vs 11.24%/yr for FDL. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FLN charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

FLN vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Latin America AlphaDEX Fund (FLN) 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, FLN achieves a 11.67% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 13.33% return. Over the past 10 years, FLN has underperformed FDL with an annualized return of 9.85%, while FDL has yielded a comparatively higher 11.24% annualized return.

FLN

• 1D: -2.00%
• 1M: -5.45%
• YTD: 11.67%
• 6M: 11.54%
• 1Y: 36.27%
• 3Y*: 16.20%
• 5Y*: 8.98%
• 10Y*: 9.85%

FDL

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: -0.26%
• YTD: 13.33%
• 6M: 14.76%
• 1Y: 23.67%
• 3Y*: 18.97%
• 5Y*: 12.51%
• 10Y*: 11.24%

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

FLN vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FLN First Trust Latin America AlphaDEX Fund	11.67%	55.05%	-23.10%	29.68%	2.73%	-6.94%	-12.27%	27.22%	-8.31%	21.54%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	13.33%	14.79%	17.98%	2.94%	6.66%	26.10%	-4.30%	24.41%	-5.99%	12.02%

Correlation

The correlation between FLN 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	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 21, 2011	0.38

Over the past year, the correlation between FLN and FDL has dropped to 0.16 - well below their long-term average of 0.38, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FLN vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FLN	FDL
Financial Services	23.4%	15.1%
Utilities	16.9%	6.5%
Industrials	12.4%	3.8%
Basic Materials	12.0%	0.3%
Energy	10.2%	27.3%
Consumer Defensive	7.2%	14.7%
Communication Services	7.1%	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	5.4%	3.8%
Real Estate	4.7%	-
Technology	2.1%	1.1%
Healthcare	0.6%	16.8%

Return for Risk

FLN vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

FLN

FLN Risk / Return Rank: 52
FLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
FLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
FLN Omega Ratio Rank: 47
FLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
FLN Martin Ratio Rank: 53

FDL

FDL Risk / Return Rank: 70
FDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
FDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
FDL Omega Ratio Rank: 59
FDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
FDL Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

FLN vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Latin America AlphaDEX Fund (FLN) 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.

	FLN	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	2.11	-0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	3.25	-0.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.37	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.19	5.56	-2.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.06	13.56	-4.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FLN vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLN Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLN 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

	FLN	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74	2.11	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40	0.88	-0.48
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36	0.66	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.08	0.45	-0.37

Drawdowns

FLN vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLN drawdown since its inception was -57.95%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLN and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLN	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.95%	-65.93%	+7.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.42%	-4.27%	-7.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.23%	-12.24%	-12.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.95%	-16.46%	-9.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-57.75%	-41.40%	-16.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.99%	-2.18%	-7.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.90%	-9.66%	-9.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.01%	1.75%	+2.26%

Volatility

FLN vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Latin America AlphaDEX Fund (FLN) has a higher volatility of 6.41% compared to First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) at 2.85%. This indicates that FLN'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

	FLN	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.41%	2.85%	+3.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.20%	7.87%	+10.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.96%	11.28%	+9.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.59%	14.31%	+8.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.64%	17.11%	+10.53%

FLN vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

FLN vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

FLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.59%, less than FDL's 3.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	3.68%	4.04%	4.96%	4.58%	3.58%	4.59%	4.48%	3.75%	3.97%	3.18%	2.93%	3.65%
FLN First Trust Latin America AlphaDEX Fund	3.59%	3.40%	6.26%	4.17%	5.57%	4.70%	1.64%	1.91%	3.08%	10.28%	1.06%	2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FLN and FDL in my portfolio?

FLN 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, FLN or FDL?

FLN has higher volatility (6.41%) compared to FDL (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLN dropped -57.95% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, FLN or FDL?

On 10-year performance, FDL leads with 11.24% vs 9.85% for FLN. On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, FDL has been the lower-risk option at 2.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLN or FDL?

Over the 10-year period, FDL has performed better with a 11.24% return vs 9.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLN or FDL?

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

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.68%, compared with 3.59% for FLN.

What is the main difference between FLN and FDL?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.74), 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.