FTDS vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTDS (First Trust Dividend Strength ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FTDS is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dividend Strength 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, FTDS returned 10.75%/yr vs 11.24%/yr for FDL. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FTDS charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

FTDS vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dividend Strength ETF (FTDS) 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, FTDS achieves a 6.54% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 13.33% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FTDS having a 10.75% annualized return and FDL not far ahead at 11.24%.

FTDS

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: -2.16%
• YTD: 6.54%
• 6M: 6.72%
• 1Y: 18.40%
• 3Y*: 16.04%
• 5Y*: 6.32%
• 10Y*: 10.75%

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)

FTDS vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTDS First Trust Dividend Strength ETF	6.54%	13.64%	11.12%	11.75%	-13.54%	24.79%	14.16%	24.29%	-10.35%	20.07%
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 FTDS and FDL is 0.77, 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	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 16, 2006	0.57

Over the past year, FTDS and FDL have become more correlated (0.77) than their long-term average of 0.57, meaning their price movements have been converging.

FTDS vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTDS	FDL
Financial Services	27.9%	15.1%
Energy	20.2%	27.3%
Industrials	19.8%	3.8%
Healthcare	9.4%	16.8%
Technology	9.4%	1.1%
Basic Materials	8.0%	0.3%
Consumer Cyclical	3.4%	3.8%
Consumer Defensive	1.9%	14.7%
Communication Services	-	10.6%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	6.5%

Return for Risk

FTDS vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTDS

FTDS Risk / Return Rank: 45
FTDS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
FTDS Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
FTDS Omega Ratio Rank: 39
FTDS Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
FTDS Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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.

FTDS vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dividend Strength ETF (FTDS) 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.

	FTDS	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.44	2.11	-0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.19	3.25	-1.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.37	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.81	5.56	-2.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.56	13.56	-5.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTDS vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTDS Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is lower than the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTDS 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

	FTDS	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.44	2.11	-0.67
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36	0.88	-0.52
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.66	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.45	-0.13

Drawdowns

FTDS vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTDS drawdown since its inception was -56.53%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTDS and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTDS	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.53%	-65.93%	+9.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.57%	-4.27%	-2.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.04%	-12.24%	-5.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.35%	-16.46%	-6.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.47%	-41.40%	-1.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.46%	-2.18%	-2.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.87%	-9.66%	-0.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.44%	1.75%	+0.69%

Volatility

FTDS vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Dividend Strength ETF (FTDS) has a higher volatility of 3.48% compared to First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) at 2.85%. This indicates that FTDS'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

	FTDS	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.48%	2.85%	+0.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.87%	7.87%	+1.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.92%	11.28%	+1.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.65%	14.31%	+3.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.14%	17.11%	+3.03%

FTDS vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTDS has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTDS vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

FTDS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.66%, 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%
FTDS First Trust Dividend Strength ETF	1.66%	1.59%	2.05%	2.15%	2.31%	0.72%	0.99%	1.13%	1.14%	0.79%	1.24%	0.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTDS and FDL in my portfolio?

FTDS and FDL have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTDS or FDL?

FTDS has higher volatility (3.48%) compared to FDL (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTDS dropped -56.53% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, FTDS or FDL?

On 10-year performance, FDL leads with 11.24% vs 10.75% for FTDS. 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, FTDS or FDL?

Over the 10-year period, FDL has performed better with a 11.24% return vs 10.75%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTDS or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for FTDS.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.68%, compared with 1.66% for FTDS.

What is the main difference between FTDS and FDL?

FTDS is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. FTDS tracks Dividend Strength Index, while FDL tracks Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for FTDS and 0.45% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.44), 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.