NUDG vs. FDL

Last updated Jul 8, 2026

NUDG (Nuveen Dividend Growth Fund ETF Class) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - NUDG is a Dividend fund actively managed by Nuveen, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. NUDG is actively managed, while FDL is passively managed. At a correlation of -0.06, they often move in opposite directions. NUDG charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for FDL.

Performance

NUDG vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Dividend Growth Fund ETF Class (NUDG) and First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

NUDG

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: 2.07%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FDL

• 1D: 1.29%
• 1M: 0.51%
• 6M: 13.51%
• YTD: 15.00%
• 1Y: 21.91%
• 3Y*: 19.06%
• 5Y*: 13.71%
• 10Y*: 10.89%

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

NUDG vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
NUDG Nuveen Dividend Growth Fund ETF Class	0.41%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	1.21%

Correlation

The correlation between NUDG and FDL is -0.06, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 3, 2026	-0.06

Return for Risk

NUDG vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUDG

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

FDL

FDL Risk / Return Rank: 76
FDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
FDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
FDL Omega Ratio Rank: 65
FDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
FDL Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

NUDG vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Dividend Growth Fund ETF Class (NUDG) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	NUDG	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.89	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.87	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.33	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	5.15	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	11.67	—

Drawdowns

NUDG vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUDG drawdown since its inception was -2.59%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUDG and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUDG	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.59%	-65.93%	+63.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-4.27%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-12.24%	—
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	-0.18%	-1.09%	+0.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.32%	-9.62%	+8.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.88%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	NUDG	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.45%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	8.55%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.79%	11.68%	-0.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.79%	14.36%	-3.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.79%	17.11%	-6.32%

NUDG vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUDG has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

NUDG vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

NUDG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.26%, less than FDL's 3.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	3.69%	4.04%	4.96%	4.58%	3.58%	4.59%	4.48%	3.75%	3.97%	3.18%	2.93%	3.65%
NUDG Nuveen Dividend Growth Fund ETF Class	0.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NUDG and FDL in my portfolio?

NUDG and FDL have a correlation of -0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, NUDG or FDL?

On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.43% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUDG or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.43% expense ratio, compared with 0.61% for NUDG.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.69%, compared with 0.26% for NUDG.

What is the main difference between NUDG and FDL?

NUDG is categorized as Dividend, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.61% for NUDG and 0.43% for FDL.