LEGR vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LEGR (First Trust Indxx Innovative Transaction & Process ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - LEGR is a Blockchain fund tracking the Indxx Blockchain Index, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, LEGR returned 11.82%/yr vs 12.51%/yr for FDL. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LEGR charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

LEGR vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Indxx Innovative Transaction & Process ETF (LEGR) 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, LEGR achieves a 12.39% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 13.33% return.

LEGR

• 1D: -1.50%
• 1M: 7.23%
• YTD: 12.39%
• 6M: 15.64%
• 1Y: 30.64%
• 3Y*: 23.83%
• 5Y*: 11.82%
• 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)

LEGR vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
LEGR First Trust Indxx Innovative Transaction & Process ETF	12.39%	30.83%	16.25%	22.79%	-19.01%	17.91%	18.73%	27.99%	-14.11%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	13.33%	14.79%	17.98%	2.94%	6.66%	26.10%	-4.30%	24.41%	-7.98%

Correlation

The correlation between LEGR and FDL is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.42
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 26, 2018	0.59

Over the past year, the correlation between LEGR and FDL has dropped to 0.22 - well below their long-term average of 0.59, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

LEGR vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LEGR	FDL
Financial Services	42.5%	15.1%
Technology	27.3%	1.1%
Communication Services	8.9%	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	8.5%	3.8%
Industrials	5.6%	3.8%
Utilities	2.1%	6.5%
Basic Materials	1.6%	0.3%
Consumer Defensive	1.4%	14.7%
Healthcare	1.3%	16.8%
Energy	0.8%	27.3%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

LEGR vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

LEGR

LEGR Risk / Return Rank: 64
LEGR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
LEGR Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
LEGR Omega Ratio Rank: 65
LEGR Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
LEGR Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

LEGR vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Indxx Innovative Transaction & Process ETF (LEGR) 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.

	LEGR	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	2.11	+0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.10	3.25	-0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.37	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.96	5.56	-2.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.21	13.56	-2.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LEGR vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LEGR Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LEGR 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

	LEGR	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.26	2.11	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70	0.88	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.66	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.45	+0.15

Drawdowns

LEGR vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LEGR drawdown since its inception was -36.12%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LEGR and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	LEGR	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.12%	-65.93%	+29.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.40%	-4.27%	-6.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.25%	-12.24%	-2.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.45%	-16.46%	-14.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.40%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.50%	-2.18%	+0.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.61%	-9.66%	+3.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.74%	1.75%	+0.99%

Volatility

LEGR vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Indxx Innovative Transaction & Process ETF (LEGR) has a higher volatility of 4.93% compared to First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) at 2.85%. This indicates that LEGR'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

	LEGR	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.93%	2.85%	+2.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.22%	7.87%	+3.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.62%	11.28%	+2.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.96%	14.31%	+2.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.31%	17.11%	+3.20%

LEGR vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

LEGR has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

LEGR vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

LEGR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.67%, 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%
LEGR First Trust Indxx Innovative Transaction & Process ETF	1.67%	1.84%	2.40%	2.56%	2.64%	1.80%	0.95%	2.04%	1.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LEGR and FDL in my portfolio?

LEGR and FDL have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LEGR or FDL?

LEGR has higher volatility (4.93%) compared to FDL (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LEGR dropped -36.12% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, LEGR or FDL?

On 5-year performance, FDL leads with 12.51% vs 11.82% for LEGR. 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, LEGR or FDL?

Over the 5-year period, FDL has performed better with a 12.51% return vs 11.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LEGR or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for LEGR.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.68%, compared with 1.67% for LEGR.

What is the main difference between LEGR and FDL?

LEGR is categorized as Blockchain, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. LEGR tracks Indxx Blockchain Index, while FDL tracks Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for LEGR and 0.45% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LEGR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 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.