MDLV vs. FDL

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Morgan Dempsey Large Cap Value ETF (MDLV) and First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL).

MDLV and FDL are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. MDLV is an actively managed fund by Morgan Dempsey. It was launched on Apr 25, 2023. FDL is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. It was launched on Mar 9, 2006.

Performance

MDLV vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Morgan Dempsey Large Cap Value ETF (MDLV) and First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

MDLV vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
MDLV Morgan Dempsey Large Cap Value ETF	6.85%	13.30%	10.16%	0.68%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	14.21%	14.79%	17.98%	5.61%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MDLV achieves a 6.85% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 14.21% return.

MDLV

• 1D: -0.33%
• 1M: -2.85%
• YTD: 6.85%
• 6M: 9.30%
• 1Y: 14.14%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FDL

• 1D: -1.10%
• 1M: -1.21%
• YTD: 14.21%
• 6M: 16.89%
• 1Y: 21.28%
• 3Y*: 17.56%
• 5Y*: 13.87%
• 10Y*: 11.48%

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

MDLV vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

MDLV has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

MDLV

Morgan Dempsey Large Cap Value ETF

FDL

First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund

Return for Risk

MDLV vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

MDLV

MDLV Risk / Return Rank: 58
MDLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
MDLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
MDLV Omega Ratio Rank: 61
MDLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
MDLV Martin Ratio Rank: 57

FDL

FDL Risk / Return Rank: 72
FDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
FDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
FDL Omega Ratio Rank: 73
FDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
FDL Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

MDLV vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Morgan Dempsey Large Cap Value ETF (MDLV) 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.

	MDLV	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.19	1.43	-0.24
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.63	2.00	-0.38
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.28	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.46	1.77	-0.31
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.39	7.07	-0.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MDLV vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MDLV Sharpe Ratio is 1.19, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MDLV and FDL, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MDLV	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.19	1.43	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.97	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.67	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.01	0.46	+0.55

Correlation

The correlation between MDLV and FDL is 0.88, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

MDLV vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

MDLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.89%, less than FDL's 3.65% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MDLV Morgan Dempsey Large Cap Value ETF	2.89%	3.00%	2.78%	2.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	3.65%	4.04%	4.96%	4.58%	3.58%	4.59%	4.48%	3.75%	3.97%	3.18%	2.93%	3.65%

Drawdowns

MDLV vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MDLV drawdown since its inception was -10.71%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MDLV and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	MDLV	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.71%	-65.93%	+55.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.55%	-11.58%	+2.03%
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	-2.85%	-1.21%	-1.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.34%	-9.72%	+7.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.22%	2.90%	-0.68%

Volatility

MDLV vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Morgan Dempsey Large Cap Value ETF (MDLV) is 2.47%, while First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) has a volatility of 2.71%. This indicates that MDLV 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

	MDLV	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.47%	2.71%	-0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.50%	8.23%	-1.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.89%	14.94%	-3.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.55%	14.32%	-3.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.55%	17.09%	-6.54%