FPX vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FPX (First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FPX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the IPOX-100 U.S. 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, FPX returned 14.65%/yr vs 11.24%/yr for FDL. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FPX charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

FPX vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF (FPX) 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, FPX achieves a 18.28% return, which is significantly higher than FDL's 13.33% return. Over the past 10 years, FPX has outperformed FDL with an annualized return of 14.65%, while FDL has yielded a comparatively lower 11.24% annualized return.

FPX

• 1D: -0.55%
• 1M: 4.63%
• YTD: 18.28%
• 6M: 18.02%
• 1Y: 39.24%
• 3Y*: 32.32%
• 5Y*: 10.31%
• 10Y*: 14.65%

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)

FPX vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FPX First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF	18.28%	37.62%	24.75%	22.26%	-35.11%	3.69%	47.89%	30.37%	-8.35%	27.03%
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 FPX and FDL is 0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 25, 2006	0.54

Over the past year, the correlation between FPX and FDL has dropped to 0.04 - well below their long-term average of 0.54, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FPX vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FPX	FDL
Technology	29.8%	1.1%
Industrials	20.0%	3.8%
Healthcare	16.1%	16.8%
Communication Services	7.0%	10.6%
Utilities	6.5%	6.5%
Energy	4.4%	27.3%
Real Estate	4.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	3.5%	3.8%
Basic Materials	3.3%	0.3%
Financial Services	3.0%	15.1%
Consumer Defensive	2.3%	14.7%

Return for Risk

FPX vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

FPX

FPX Risk / Return Rank: 52
FPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
FPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
FPX Omega Ratio Rank: 43
FPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
FPX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

FPX vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF (FPX) 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.

	FPX	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.71	2.11	-0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.24	3.25	-1.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.37	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.21	5.56	-2.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.40	13.56	-3.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FPX vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.71, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FPX 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

	FPX	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.71	2.11	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39	0.88	-0.49
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	0.66	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.45	+0.12

Drawdowns

FPX vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FPX drawdown since its inception was -56.29%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FPX and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	FPX	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.29%	-65.93%	+9.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.28%	-4.27%	-8.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.88%	-12.24%	-18.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.14%	-16.46%	-26.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.14%	-41.40%	-1.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.83%	-2.18%	+1.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.34%	-9.66%	-1.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.78%	1.75%	+2.03%

Volatility

FPX vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF (FPX) has a higher volatility of 6.22% compared to First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) at 2.85%. This indicates that FPX'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

	FPX	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.22%	2.85%	+3.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.11%	7.87%	+9.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.10%	11.28%	+11.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.49%	14.31%	+12.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.28%	17.11%	+7.17%

FPX vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

FPX has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

FPX vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

FPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.49%, 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%
FPX First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF	0.49%	0.53%	0.09%	0.27%	1.08%	0.14%	0.28%	0.67%	0.88%	0.68%	0.77%	0.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FPX and FDL in my portfolio?

FPX and FDL have a correlation of 0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FPX or FDL?

FPX has higher volatility (6.22%) compared to FDL (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FPX dropped -56.29% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, FPX or FDL?

On 10-year performance, FPX leads with 14.65% vs 11.24% for FDL. 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, FPX or FDL?

Over the 10-year period, FPX has performed better with a 14.65% return vs 11.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FPX or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.57% for FPX.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.68%, compared with 0.49% for FPX.

What is the main difference between FPX and FDL?

FPX is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. FPX tracks IPOX-100 U.S. Index, while FDL tracks Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for FPX and 0.45% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.71), 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.