GAID vs. FDL
GAID (Guinness Atkinson International Dividend Builder ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - GAID is a Dividend fund actively managed by Guinness Atkinson, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. GAID is actively managed, while FDL is passively managed. At a 0.01 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GAID charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for FDL.
Performance
GAID vs. FDL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GAID achieves a -1.34% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 17.61% return.
GAID
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- -2.00%
- 6M
- -2.75%
- YTD
- -1.34%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FDL
- 1D
- 2.42%
- 1M
- 2.96%
- 6M
- 12.71%
- YTD
- 17.61%
- 1Y
- 25.62%
- 3Y*
- 19.90%
- 5Y*
- 14.10%
- 10Y*
- 10.98%
GAID vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
GAID Guinness Atkinson International Dividend Builder ETF | -1.34% | 0.04% |
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund | 17.61% | 0.66% |
Correlation
The correlation between GAID and FDL is 0.01, 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 2025 | 0.01 |
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Return for Risk
GAID vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank
GAID
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
FDL
GAID vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Guinness Atkinson International Dividend Builder ETF (GAID) 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.
| GAID | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.38 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 6.02 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 13.73 | — |
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Drawdowns
GAID vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GAID drawdown since its inception was -13.61%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GAID and FDL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GAID | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -13.61% | -65.93% | +52.32% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -4.27% | — |
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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.22% | 0.00% | -4.22% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.42% | -9.61% | +5.19% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 1.87% | — |
Volatility
GAID vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| GAID | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 4.91% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 8.74% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.51% | 11.79% | +3.72% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.51% | 14.41% | +1.10% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.51% | 17.13% | -1.62% |
GAID vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison
GAID has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.43% expense ratio.
Dividends
GAID vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison
GAID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.65%, less than FDL's 3.61% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund | 3.61% | 4.04% | 4.96% | 4.58% | 3.58% | 4.59% | 4.48% | 3.75% | 3.97% | 3.18% | 2.93% | 3.65% |
GAID Guinness Atkinson International Dividend Builder ETF | 0.65% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GAID and FDL have a correlation of 0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.43% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
FDL is cheaper with a 0.43% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for GAID.
FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.61%, compared with 0.65% for GAID.
GAID is categorized as Dividend, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: Guinness Atkinson and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for GAID and 0.43% for FDL.
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