HISF vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

HISF (First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - HISF is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by First Trust, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. HISF is actively managed, while FDL is passively managed. Over the past year, HISF returned 5.97% vs 24.43% for FDL. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HISF charges 0.87%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

HISF vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF) 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, HISF achieves a 0.24% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 13.62% return.

HISF

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.18%
• YTD: 0.24%
• 6M: 0.50%
• 1Y: 5.97%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FDL

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: -0.81%
• YTD: 13.62%
• 6M: 16.42%
• 1Y: 24.43%
• 3Y*: 19.07%
• 5Y*: 12.64%
• 10Y*: 11.27%

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

HISF vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
HISF First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF	0.24%	8.39%	3.30%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	13.62%	14.79%	16.49%

Correlation

The correlation between HISF and FDL is 0.08, 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 (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 29, 2024	0.20

The correlation between HISF and FDL shifts across timeframes, from 0.08 (1 year) to 0.20 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

HISF vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

HISF

HISF Risk / Return Rank: 49
HISF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
HISF Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
HISF Omega Ratio Rank: 54
HISF Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
HISF Martin Ratio Rank: 44

FDL

FDL Risk / Return Rank: 73
FDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
FDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
FDL Omega Ratio Rank: 62
FDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
FDL Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

HISF vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF) 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.

	HISF	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	2.18	-0.37
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.66	3.35	-0.68
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.38	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.00	5.74	-3.74
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.30	14.05	-6.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HISF vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HISF Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HISF 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

	HISF	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.81	2.18	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.89	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.66	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.34	0.45	+0.88

Drawdowns

HISF vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HISF drawdown since its inception was -3.86%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HISF and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	HISF	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.86%	-65.93%	+62.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.90%	-4.27%	+1.37%
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	-0.99%	-1.92%	+0.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.89%	-9.66%	+8.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.79%	1.75%	-0.96%

Volatility

HISF vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF) is 1.23%, while First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) has a volatility of 2.95%. This indicates that HISF 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

	HISF	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.23%	2.95%	-1.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.62%	7.87%	-5.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.32%	11.27%	-7.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.95%	14.31%	-10.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.95%	17.11%	-13.16%

HISF vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

HISF has a 0.87% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

HISF vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

HISF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.99%, more than FDL's 3.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	3.67%	4.04%	4.96%	4.58%	3.58%	4.59%	4.48%	3.75%	3.97%	3.18%	2.93%	3.65%
HISF First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF	4.99%	4.69%	3.92%	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 HISF and FDL in my portfolio?

HISF and FDL have a correlation of 0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HISF or FDL?

FDL has higher volatility (2.95%) compared to HISF (1.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HISF dropped -3.86% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, HISF or FDL?

On 1-year performance, FDL leads with 24.43% vs 5.97% for HISF. On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, HISF has been the lower-risk option at 1.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HISF or FDL?

Over the 1-year period, FDL has performed better with a 24.43% return vs 5.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HISF or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.87% for HISF.

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

HISF has the higher dividend yield at 4.99%, compared with 3.67% for FDL.

What is the main difference between HISF and FDL?

HISF is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.87% for HISF and 0.45% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 1.81), 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.