NUKX vs. FDL

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

NUKX (Nicholas Nuclear Income ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - NUKX is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Nicholas Wealth, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. NUKX is actively managed, while FDL is passively managed. Their -0.22 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. NUKX charges 1.07%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for FDL.

Performance

NUKX vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

NUKX

• 1D: -0.97%
• 1M: -7.63%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

FDL

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 3.27%
• 6M: 9.50%
• YTD: 18.16%
• 1Y: 27.65%
• 3Y*: 18.28%
• 5Y*: 13.98%
• 10Y*: 11.09%
• ALL TIME*: 8.94%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	$52.24M	$50.06M	$42.95M
NUKX Nicholas Nuclear Income ETF	$132.47K	$169.16K	$262.73K

NUKX vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
NUKX Nicholas Nuclear Income ETF	-22.51%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	2.21%

Correlation

The correlation between NUKX and FDL is -0.22, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2026	-0.22

NUKX vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NUKX	FDL
Utilities	44.0%	15.4%
Energy	15.6%	11.1%
Financial Services	11.9%	13.7%
Industrials	6.9%	3.6%
Consumer Cyclical	4.2%	4.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.1%	24.3%
Basic Materials	-	0.4%
Communication Services	-	11.2%
Healthcare	-	11.7%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	4.3%

Return for Risk

NUKX vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

NUKX

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

FDL

FDL Risk / Return Rank: 92
FDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
FDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
FDL Omega Ratio Rank: 88
FDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
FDL Martin Ratio Rank: 91

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

NUKX vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nicholas Nuclear Income ETF (NUKX) 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.

	NUKX	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	2.26	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	3.41	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.39	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	6.29	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	14.86	—

Drawdowns

NUKX vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUKX drawdown since its inception was -31.95%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUKX and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUKX	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.95%	-65.93%	+33.98%
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	-28.73%	-1.96%	-26.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.27%	-9.59%	-3.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.81%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	NUKX	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.96%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	8.97%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	49.22%	11.95%	+37.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	49.22%	14.44%	+34.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	49.22%	17.16%	+32.06%

NUKX vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUKX has a 1.07% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

NUKX vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

NUKX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.83%, more than FDL's 3.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	3.59%	4.04%	4.96%	4.58%	3.58%	4.59%	4.48%	3.75%	3.97%	3.18%	2.93%	3.65%
NUKX Nicholas Nuclear Income ETF	6.83%	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 NUKX and FDL in my portfolio?

NUKX 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 ETF is better, NUKX 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, NUKX or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.43% expense ratio, compared with 1.07% for NUKX.

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

NUKX has the higher dividend yield at 6.83%, compared with 3.59% for FDL.

What is the main difference between NUKX and FDL?

NUKX is categorized as Derivative Income, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: Nicholas Wealth and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 1.07% for NUKX and 0.43% for FDL.