FTA vs. HDV

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FTA (First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund) and HDV (iShares Core High Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTA is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Value Index, while HDV is a Dividend fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Yield Focus Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTA returned 11.60%/yr vs 9.66%/yr for HDV. Their correlation of 0.81 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FTA charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for HDV.

Performance

FTA vs. HDV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) and iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTA achieves a 18.18% return, which is significantly lower than HDV's 20.03% return. Over the past 10 years, FTA has outperformed HDV with an annualized return of 11.60%, while HDV has yielded a comparatively lower 9.66% annualized return.

FTA

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 2.70%
• 6M: 12.86%
• YTD: 18.18%
• 1Y: 31.73%
• 3Y*: 15.29%
• 5Y*: 11.21%
• 10Y*: 11.60%
• ALL TIME*: 8.58%

HDV

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 2.79%
• 6M: 10.43%
• YTD: 20.03%
• 1Y: 25.63%
• 3Y*: 15.43%
• 5Y*: 12.05%
• 10Y*: 9.66%
• ALL TIME*: 10.83%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	$3.06M	$3.30M	$2.95M
HDV iShares Core High Dividend ETF	$196.84M	$160.55M	$106.56M

FTA vs. HDV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	18.18%	14.94%	10.13%	10.08%	-3.73%	29.32%	-0.38%	24.73%	-13.63%	18.47%
HDV iShares Core High Dividend ETF	20.03%	11.90%	14.16%	1.72%	7.05%	19.45%	-6.48%	20.22%	-3.01%	13.40%

Correlation

The correlation between FTA and HDV is 0.67, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2011	0.81

The correlation between FTA and HDV shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (1 year) to 0.81 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FTA vs. HDV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTA	HDV
Financial Services	23.2%	4.7%
Utilities	11.1%	8.2%
Healthcare	10.2%	23.9%
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	9.3%
Energy	9.2%	19.8%
Industrials	8.8%	2.8%
Technology	7.3%	0.9%
Real Estate	6.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	6.5%	24.3%
Communication Services	4.6%	5.2%
Basic Materials	3.2%	0.8%

Return for Risk

FTA vs. HDV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FTA

FTA Risk / Return Rank: 94
FTA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
FTA Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
FTA Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FTA Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
FTA Martin Ratio Rank: 95

HDV

HDV Risk / Return Rank: 92
HDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
HDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
HDV Omega Ratio Rank: 90
HDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
HDV Martin Ratio Rank: 89

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FTA vs. HDV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) and iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	FTA	HDV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.63	2.39	+0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.90	3.58	+0.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.42	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.93	4.98	+0.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.26	13.63	+6.63

FTA vs. HDV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTA Sharpe Ratio is 2.63, which is comparable to the HDV Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTA and HDV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FTA vs. HDV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTA drawdown since its inception was -62.45%, which is greater than HDV's maximum drawdown of -37.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTA and HDV.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTA	HDV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.45%	-37.04%	-25.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.13%	-5.18%	+0.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.73%	-10.49%	-8.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.80%	-15.42%	-4.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.97%	-37.04%	-7.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.56%	-1.41%	-0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.97%	-3.06%	-5.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.50%	1.89%	-0.39%

Volatility

FTA vs. HDV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) is 3.93%, while iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) has a volatility of 4.98%. This indicates that FTA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HDV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTA	HDV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.93%	4.98%	-1.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.04%	8.72%	-0.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.61%	10.85%	+0.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.23%	12.95%	+3.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.85%	15.78%	+4.07%

FTA vs. HDV - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTA has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than HDV's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTA vs. HDV - Dividend Comparison

FTA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.61%, less than HDV's 3.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	1.61%	1.89%	2.02%	2.10%	2.15%	1.54%	2.03%	1.88%	2.28%	1.53%	1.56%	2.05%
HDV iShares Core High Dividend ETF	3.07%	3.22%	3.67%	3.82%	3.56%	3.47%	4.07%	3.27%	3.67%	3.27%	3.28%	3.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTA and HDV in my portfolio?

FTA and HDV have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTA or HDV?

HDV has higher volatility (4.98%) compared to FTA (3.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTA dropped -62.45% vs HDV's -37.04%.

Which ETF is better, FTA or HDV?

On 10-year performance, FTA leads with 11.60% vs 9.66% for HDV. On fees, HDV is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, FTA has been the lower-risk option at 3.93%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTA or HDV?

Over the 10-year period, FTA has performed better with a 11.60% return vs 9.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTA or HDV?

HDV is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTA or HDV?

HDV has the higher dividend yield at 3.07%, compared with 1.61% for FTA.

What is the main difference between FTA and HDV?

FTA is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while HDV is Dividend. FTA tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Value Index, while HDV tracks Morningstar Dividend Yield Focus Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTA and 0.08% for HDV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 2.39), 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.