FTCE vs. FDL

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

FTCE (First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FTCE is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders Index, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, FTCE returned 24.40% vs 28.15% for FDL. Their 0.38 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. FTCE charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for FDL.

Performance

FTCE vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF (FTCE) 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, FTCE achieves a 9.47% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 18.62% return.

FTCE

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: -0.33%
• 6M: 6.88%
• YTD: 9.47%
• 1Y: 24.40%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 19.25%

FDL

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 3.67%
• 6M: 9.83%
• YTD: 18.62%
• 1Y: 28.15%
• 3Y*: 19.02%
• 5Y*: 14.10%
• 10Y*: 11.08%
• ALL TIME*: 8.96%

*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)
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	$51.38M	$49.50M	$43.21M
FTCE First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF	$145.13K	$168.42K	$261.53K

FTCE vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FTCE First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF	9.47%	26.14%	-0.02%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	18.62%	14.79%	-1.67%

Correlation

The correlation between FTCE and FDL is 0.19, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 3, 2024	0.38

The correlation between FTCE and FDL shifts across timeframes, from 0.19 (1 year) to 0.38 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FTCE vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTCE	FDL
Technology	36.3%	4.3%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	4.4%
Financial Services	11.6%	13.7%
Healthcare	9.8%	11.7%
Industrials	8.9%	3.6%
Communication Services	7.4%	11.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	24.3%
Energy	3.4%	11.1%
Utilities	2.2%	15.4%
Real Estate	2.0%	-
Basic Materials	1.9%	0.4%

Return for Risk

FTCE vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTCE

FTCE Risk / Return Rank: 65
FTCE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
FTCE Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
FTCE Omega Ratio Rank: 68
FTCE Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
FTCE Martin Ratio Rank: 57

FDL

FDL Risk / Return Rank: 92
FDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
FDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
FDL Omega Ratio Rank: 89
FDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
FDL Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

FTCE vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF (FTCE) 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.

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.

	FTCE	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.78	2.38	-0.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.48	3.58	-1.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.42	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.41	6.62	-4.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.53	15.62	-8.09

FTCE vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTCE Sharpe Ratio is 1.78, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTCE 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.

Drawdowns

FTCE vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTCE drawdown since its inception was -18.11%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTCE and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTCE	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.11%	-65.93%	+47.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.16%	-4.27%	-5.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-12.24%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-16.46%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.40%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.56%	-1.58%	-2.98%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.69%	-9.59%	+6.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.25%	1.81%	+1.44%

Volatility

FTCE vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF (FTCE) is 3.32%, while First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) has a volatility of 4.65%. This indicates that FTCE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FDL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTCE	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.32%	4.65%	-1.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.07%	8.75%	+2.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.77%	11.89%	+1.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.57%	14.44%	+2.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.57%	17.16%	-0.59%

FTCE vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTCE has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTCE vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

FTCE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.66%, less than FDL's 3.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	3.58%	4.04%	4.96%	4.58%	3.58%	4.59%	4.48%	3.75%	3.97%	3.18%	2.93%	3.65%
FTCE First Trust New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders ETF	0.66%	0.96%	0.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTCE and FDL in my portfolio?

FTCE and FDL have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTCE or FDL?

FDL has higher volatility (4.65%) compared to FTCE (3.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTCE dropped -18.11% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, FTCE or FDL?

On 1-year performance, FDL leads with 28.15% vs 24.40% for FTCE. On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.43% per year. On volatility, FTCE has been the lower-risk option at 3.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTCE or FDL?

Over the 1-year period, FDL has performed better with a 28.15% return vs 24.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTCE or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.43% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTCE.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.58%, compared with 0.66% for FTCE.

What is the main difference between FTCE and FDL?

FTCE is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. FTCE tracks Bloomberg New Constructs Core Earnings Leaders Index, while FDL tracks Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTCE and 0.43% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.78), 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.