IWD vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IWD (iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds - IWD tracks the Russell 1000 Value Index while FDL tracks the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IWD returned 11.23%/yr vs 11.24%/yr for FDL. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IWD charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

IWD vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (IWD) 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, IWD achieves a 14.20% return, which is significantly higher than FDL's 13.33% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IWD having a 11.23% annualized return and FDL not far ahead at 11.24%.

IWD

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 4.22%
• YTD: 14.20%
• 6M: 14.76%
• 1Y: 28.16%
• 3Y*: 18.40%
• 5Y*: 10.17%
• 10Y*: 11.23%

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)

IWD vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IWD iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF	14.20%	15.68%	14.17%	11.34%	-7.75%	24.95%	2.73%	26.12%	-8.45%	13.45%
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 IWD and FDL is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 16, 2006	0.84

Over the past year, the correlation between IWD and FDL has dropped to 0.57 - well below their long-term average of 0.84, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

IWD vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IWD	FDL
Financial Services	18.5%	15.1%
Technology	17.9%	1.1%
Industrials	12.7%	3.8%
Healthcare	10.5%	16.8%
Communication Services	8.2%	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	7.0%	3.8%
Consumer Defensive	6.7%	14.7%
Energy	6.5%	27.3%
Utilities	4.1%	6.5%
Real Estate	3.9%	-
Basic Materials	3.7%	0.3%

Return for Risk

IWD vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

IWD

IWD Risk / Return Rank: 80
IWD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
IWD Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
IWD Omega Ratio Rank: 78
IWD Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
IWD Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

IWD vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (IWD) 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.

	IWD	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.63	2.11	+0.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.71	3.25	+0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.37	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.17	5.56	-1.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.46	13.56	+3.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IWD vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWD Sharpe Ratio is 2.63, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWD 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

	IWD	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.63	2.11	+0.52
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.88	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65	0.66	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.45	-0.03

Drawdowns

IWD vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWD drawdown since its inception was -60.10%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWD and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	IWD	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.10%	-65.93%	+5.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.79%	-4.27%	-2.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.71%	-12.24%	-3.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.04%	-16.46%	-2.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.51%	-41.40%	+2.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.01%	-2.18%	+2.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.65%	-9.66%	+1.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.62%	1.75%	-0.13%

Volatility

IWD vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (IWD) and First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) have volatilities of 2.90% and 2.85%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IWD	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.90%	2.85%	+0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.06%	7.87%	+0.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.77%	11.28%	-0.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.81%	14.31%	+0.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.29%	17.11%	+0.18%

IWD vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWD has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

IWD vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

IWD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.50%, 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%
IWD iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF	1.50%	1.69%	1.87%	2.02%	2.15%	1.62%	2.05%	2.45%	2.71%	2.09%	2.25%	2.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IWD and FDL in my portfolio?

IWD and FDL have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IWD or FDL?

IWD has higher volatility (2.90%) compared to FDL (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWD dropped -60.10% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, IWD or FDL?

On 10-year performance, FDL leads with 11.24% vs 11.23% for IWD. On fees, IWD is cheaper at 0.18% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IWD or FDL?

Over the 10-year period, FDL has performed better with a 11.24% return vs 11.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IWD or FDL?

IWD is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for FDL.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.68%, compared with 1.50% for IWD.

What is the main difference between IWD and FDL?

IWD tracks Russell 1000 Value Index, while FDL tracks Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for IWD and 0.45% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 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.