FRDTX vs. NFJ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FRDTX (Franklin Rising Dividends Fund Class C) and NFJ (Virtus Dividend, Interest and Premium Strategy Fund) are both mutual funds - FRDTX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Franklin Templeton, while NFJ is a Dividend fund managed by Virtus. Over the past 10 years, FRDTX returned 11.92%/yr vs 10.45%/yr for NFJ. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FRDTX charges 1.59%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for NFJ.

Performance

FRDTX vs. NFJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Rising Dividends Fund Class C (FRDTX) and Virtus Dividend, Interest and Premium Strategy Fund (NFJ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FRDTX achieves a 5.03% return, which is significantly lower than NFJ's 19.71% return. Over the past 10 years, FRDTX has outperformed NFJ with an annualized return of 11.92%, while NFJ has yielded a comparatively lower 10.45% annualized return.

FRDTX

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 2.19%
• YTD: 5.03%
• 6M: 5.05%
• 1Y: 14.73%
• 3Y*: 14.90%
• 5Y*: 9.79%
• 10Y*: 11.92%

NFJ

• 1D: 1.41%
• 1M: 5.68%
• YTD: 19.71%
• 6M: 22.14%
• 1Y: 37.20%
• 3Y*: 18.71%
• 5Y*: 9.33%
• 10Y*: 10.45%

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

FRDTX vs. NFJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FRDTX Franklin Rising Dividends Fund Class C	5.03%	11.13%	21.73%	11.27%	-11.36%	25.67%	15.42%	28.87%	-5.99%	19.19%
NFJ Virtus Dividend, Interest and Premium Strategy Fund	19.71%	12.40%	9.96%	21.30%	-23.90%	26.75%	12.42%	30.88%	-11.97%	12.74%

Correlation

The correlation between FRDTX and NFJ is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 2, 2005	0.68

The correlation between FRDTX and NFJ shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (1 year) to 0.75 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FRDTX vs. NFJ — Risk / Return Rank

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

FRDTX

FRDTX Risk / Return Rank: 29
FRDTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
FRDTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
FRDTX Omega Ratio Rank: 24
FRDTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
FRDTX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

NFJ

NFJ Risk / Return Rank: 84
NFJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
NFJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
NFJ Omega Ratio Rank: 78
NFJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
NFJ Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

FRDTX vs. NFJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Rising Dividends Fund Class C (FRDTX) and Virtus Dividend, Interest and Premium Strategy Fund (NFJ). 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.

	FRDTX	NFJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.47	2.88	-1.41
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.14	4.09	-1.95
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.51	-0.25
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.11	4.41	-2.30
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.21	15.09	-6.88
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FRDTX vs. NFJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FRDTX Sharpe Ratio is 1.47, which is lower than the NFJ Sharpe Ratio of 2.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FRDTX and NFJ, 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

	FRDTX	NFJ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.47	2.88	-1.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.55	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66	0.56	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.31	+0.26

Drawdowns

FRDTX vs. NFJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FRDTX drawdown since its inception was -52.13%, smaller than the maximum NFJ drawdown of -57.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FRDTX and NFJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	FRDTX	NFJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.13%	-57.92%	+5.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.20%	-8.57%	+1.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.54%	-17.04%	-1.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.53%	-30.57%	+9.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.93%	-40.96%	+6.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.03%	0.00%	-0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.55%	-10.80%	+4.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.85%	2.50%	-0.65%

Volatility

FRDTX vs. NFJ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Franklin Rising Dividends Fund Class C (FRDTX) is 2.26%, while Virtus Dividend, Interest and Premium Strategy Fund (NFJ) has a volatility of 3.89%. This indicates that FRDTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NFJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FRDTX	NFJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.26%	3.89%	-1.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.70%	10.02%	-2.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.16%	12.99%	-2.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.46%	17.13%	+0.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.13%	18.65%	-0.52%

FRDTX vs. NFJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

FRDTX has a 1.59% expense ratio, which is higher than NFJ's 0.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

FRDTX vs. NFJ - Dividend Comparison

FRDTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.25%, more than NFJ's 8.10% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FRDTX Franklin Rising Dividends Fund Class C	9.25%	9.73%	19.21%	3.91%	4.27%	3.95%	0.17%	2.35%	4.44%	2.59%	2.61%	4.58%
NFJ Virtus Dividend, Interest and Premium Strategy Fund	8.10%	9.46%	9.26%	7.78%	8.83%	5.60%	6.69%	6.92%	8.43%	8.62%	9.52%	13.32%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FRDTX and NFJ in my portfolio?

FRDTX and NFJ have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FRDTX or NFJ?

NFJ has higher volatility (3.89%) compared to FRDTX (2.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FRDTX dropped -52.13% vs NFJ's -57.92%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NFJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.88 vs 1.47), 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.