NFTY vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NFTY (First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - NFTY is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the NIFTY 50 Equal Weight Index, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, NFTY returned 8.13%/yr vs 11.24%/yr for FDL. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NFTY charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

NFTY vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF (NFTY) 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, NFTY achieves a -9.70% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 13.33% return. Over the past 10 years, NFTY has underperformed FDL with an annualized return of 8.13%, while FDL has yielded a comparatively higher 11.24% annualized return.

NFTY

• 1D: -1.34%
• 1M: -1.64%
• YTD: -9.70%
• 6M: -7.99%
• 1Y: -8.48%
• 3Y*: 5.72%
• 5Y*: 4.62%
• 10Y*: 8.13%

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)

NFTY vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NFTY First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF	-9.70%	5.47%	5.18%	24.00%	-3.46%	26.83%	10.04%	0.58%	-1.51%	21.78%
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 NFTY and FDL is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.11
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 29, 2012	0.29

The correlation between NFTY and FDL shifts across timeframes, from 0.11 (1 year) to 0.33 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

NFTY vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NFTY	FDL
Financial Services	21.2%	15.1%
Consumer Cyclical	16.3%	3.8%
Basic Materials	12.5%	0.3%
Healthcare	9.7%	16.8%
Technology	9.2%	1.1%
Energy	8.5%	27.3%
Consumer Defensive	8.3%	14.7%
Industrials	8.3%	3.8%
Utilities	4.0%	6.5%
Communication Services	2.0%	10.6%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

NFTY vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

NFTY

NFTY Risk / Return Rank: 3
NFTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
NFTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
NFTY Omega Ratio Rank: 4
NFTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
NFTY Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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.

NFTY vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF (NFTY) 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.

	NFTY	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.58	2.11	-2.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.78	3.25	-4.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.91	1.37	-0.46
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.53	5.56	-6.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.39	13.56	-14.94
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NFTY vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NFTY Sharpe Ratio is -0.58, which is lower than the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NFTY 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

	NFTY	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.58	2.11	-2.69
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	0.88	-0.61
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39	0.66	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.45	-0.17

Drawdowns

NFTY vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NFTY drawdown since its inception was -47.67%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NFTY and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	NFTY	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.67%	-65.93%	+18.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.14%	-4.27%	-11.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.55%	-12.24%	-9.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.55%	-16.46%	-5.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.67%	-41.40%	-6.27%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.45%	-2.18%	-15.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.58%	-9.66%	+0.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.12%	1.75%	+4.37%

Volatility

NFTY vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF (NFTY) has a higher volatility of 4.58% compared to First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) at 2.85%. This indicates that NFTY'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

	NFTY	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.58%	2.85%	+1.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.57%	7.87%	+4.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.72%	11.28%	+3.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.39%	14.31%	+3.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.72%	17.11%	+3.61%

NFTY vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

NFTY has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

NFTY vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

NFTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.96%, 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%
NFTY First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF	1.96%	1.24%	1.61%	0.13%	5.89%	1.53%	0.61%	0.97%	0.00%	4.10%	3.28%	4.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NFTY and FDL in my portfolio?

NFTY and FDL have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NFTY or FDL?

NFTY has higher volatility (4.58%) compared to FDL (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NFTY dropped -47.67% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, NFTY or FDL?

On 10-year performance, FDL leads with 11.24% vs 8.13% for NFTY. 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, NFTY or FDL?

Over the 10-year period, FDL has performed better with a 11.24% return vs 8.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NFTY or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for NFTY.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.68%, compared with 1.96% for NFTY.

What is the main difference between NFTY and FDL?

NFTY is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. NFTY tracks NIFTY 50 Equal Weight Index, while FDL tracks Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for NFTY and 0.45% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs -0.58), 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.