ITAN vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ITAN (Sparkline Intangible Value ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. ITAN is actively managed, while FDL is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, ITAN returned 23.37%/yr vs 18.97%/yr for FDL. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ITAN charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

ITAN vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sparkline Intangible Value ETF (ITAN) 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, ITAN achieves a 14.61% return, which is significantly higher than FDL's 13.33% return.

ITAN

• 1D: -1.15%
• 1M: 7.43%
• YTD: 14.61%
• 6M: 16.38%
• 1Y: 38.08%
• 3Y*: 23.37%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

ITAN vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
ITAN Sparkline Intangible Value ETF	14.61%	20.46%	17.76%	34.58%	-24.33%	6.97%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	13.33%	14.79%	17.98%	2.94%	6.66%	11.13%

Correlation

The correlation between ITAN and FDL is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 30, 2021	0.61

Over the past year, the correlation between ITAN and FDL has dropped to 0.40 - well below their long-term average of 0.61, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

ITAN vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ITAN	FDL
Technology	30.5%	1.1%
Communication Services	16.4%	10.6%
Healthcare	14.8%	16.8%
Industrials	13.8%	3.8%
Consumer Cyclical	13.6%	3.8%
Financial Services	4.6%	15.1%
Consumer Defensive	3.3%	14.7%
Basic Materials	1.6%	0.3%
Energy	0.9%	27.3%
Real Estate	0.4%	-
Utilities	-	6.5%

Return for Risk

ITAN vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

ITAN

ITAN Risk / Return Rank: 80
ITAN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
ITAN Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
ITAN Omega Ratio Rank: 75
ITAN Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
ITAN Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

ITAN vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sparkline Intangible Value ETF (ITAN) 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.

	ITAN	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.67	2.11	+0.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.62	3.25	+0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.37	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.24	5.56	-1.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.36	13.56	+2.81
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ITAN vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ITAN Sharpe Ratio is 2.67, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ITAN 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

	ITAN	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.67	2.11	+0.56
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.88	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.66	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.45	+0.20

Drawdowns

ITAN vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ITAN drawdown since its inception was -30.41%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ITAN and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	ITAN	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.41%	-65.93%	+35.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.03%	-4.27%	-4.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.47%	-12.24%	-8.23%
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	-1.56%	-2.18%	+0.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.62%	-9.66%	+2.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.33%	1.75%	+0.58%

Volatility

ITAN vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

Sparkline Intangible Value ETF (ITAN) has a higher volatility of 4.02% compared to First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) at 2.85%. This indicates that ITAN'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

	ITAN	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.02%	2.85%	+1.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.42%	7.87%	+2.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.36%	11.28%	+3.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.05%	14.31%	+4.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.05%	17.11%	+1.94%

ITAN vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

ITAN has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

ITAN vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

ITAN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, 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%
ITAN Sparkline Intangible Value ETF	1.00%	0.94%	1.14%	1.01%	0.57%	0.45%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ITAN and FDL in my portfolio?

ITAN and FDL have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ITAN or FDL?

ITAN has higher volatility (4.02%) compared to FDL (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ITAN dropped -30.41% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, ITAN or FDL?

On 3-year performance, ITAN leads with 23.37% vs 18.97% for FDL. 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, ITAN or FDL?

Over the 3-year period, ITAN has performed better with a 23.37% return vs 18.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ITAN or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for ITAN.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.68%, compared with 1.00% for ITAN.

What is the main difference between ITAN and FDL?

They also come from different issuers: Sparkline Capital and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for ITAN and 0.45% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ITAN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 vs 2.11), 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.