RDVY vs. CGDG

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

RDVY (First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) and CGDG (Capital Group Dividend Growers ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RDVY is a Dividend fund tracking the Nasdaq US Rising Dividend Achievers Index, while CGDG is a Global Equities fund actively managed by Capital Group. RDVY is passively managed, while CGDG is actively managed. Over the past year, RDVY returned 28.72% vs 13.75% for CGDG. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.47% expense ratio.

Performance

RDVY vs. CGDG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) and Capital Group Dividend Growers ETF (CGDG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RDVY achieves a 13.93% return, which is significantly higher than CGDG's 5.07% return.

RDVY

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 4.92%
• YTD: 13.93%
• 6M: 11.90%
• 1Y: 28.72%
• 3Y*: 21.86%
• 5Y*: 12.43%
• 10Y*: 16.57%

CGDG

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.53%
• YTD: 5.07%
• 6M: 4.44%
• 1Y: 13.75%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

RDVY vs. CGDG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	13.93%	18.90%	16.41%	13.64%
CGDG Capital Group Dividend Growers ETF	5.07%	22.74%	11.52%	10.17%

Correlation

The correlation between RDVY and CGDG is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 28, 2023	0.79

The correlation between RDVY and CGDG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

RDVY vs. CGDG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RDVY	CGDG
Financial Services	33.5%	20.0%
Technology	26.9%	14.0%
Industrials	13.6%	11.9%
Consumer Cyclical	10.9%	7.9%
Communication Services	5.5%	2.0%
Healthcare	3.9%	10.7%
Consumer Defensive	3.4%	9.9%
Energy	2.4%	6.7%
Utilities	1.4%	7.8%
Basic Materials	-	5.0%
Real Estate	-	3.3%

Return for Risk

RDVY vs. CGDG — Risk / Return Rank

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

RDVY

RDVY Risk / Return Rank: 71
RDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
RDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
RDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 65
RDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
RDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 78

CGDG

CGDG Risk / Return Rank: 40
CGDG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
CGDG Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
CGDG Omega Ratio Rank: 37
CGDG Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
CGDG Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

RDVY vs. CGDG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) and Capital Group Dividend Growers ETF (CGDG). 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.

	RDVY	CGDG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.00	1.28	+0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.85	1.83	+1.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.23	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.19	1.79	+1.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.43	6.86	+6.56

RDVY vs. CGDG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RDVY Sharpe Ratio is 2.00, which is higher than the CGDG Sharpe Ratio of 1.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RDVY and CGDG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

RDVY vs. CGDG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RDVY drawdown since its inception was -40.60%, which is greater than CGDG's maximum drawdown of -10.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RDVY and CGDG.

Drawdown Indicators

	RDVY	CGDG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.60%	-10.52%	-30.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.04%	-7.72%	-1.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.11%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.32%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.60%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.94%	-1.43%	+0.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.98%	-1.31%	-3.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.14%	2.01%	+0.13%

Volatility

RDVY vs. CGDG - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) has a higher volatility of 5.06% compared to Capital Group Dividend Growers ETF (CGDG) at 2.95%. This indicates that RDVY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CGDG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RDVY	CGDG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.06%	2.95%	+2.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.57%	8.49%	+3.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.47%	10.81%	+3.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.96%	12.14%	+6.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.10%	12.14%	+8.96%

RDVY vs. CGDG - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both RDVY and CGDG have an expense ratio of 0.47%.

Dividends

RDVY vs. CGDG - Dividend Comparison

RDVY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%, less than CGDG's 1.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CGDG Capital Group Dividend Growers ETF	1.88%	1.95%	2.15%	0.39%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	0.89%	1.11%	1.64%	2.09%	2.21%	1.04%	1.53%	1.55%	1.68%	1.25%	2.07%	2.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RDVY and CGDG in my portfolio?

RDVY and CGDG have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RDVY or CGDG?

RDVY has higher volatility (5.06%) compared to CGDG (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RDVY dropped -40.60% vs CGDG's -10.52%.

Which ETF is better, RDVY or CGDG?

On 1-year performance, RDVY leads with 28.72% vs 13.75% for CGDG. Both ETFs have the same 0.47% expense ratio. On volatility, CGDG has been the lower-risk option at 2.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RDVY or CGDG?

Over the 1-year period, RDVY has performed better with a 28.72% return vs 13.75%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RDVY or CGDG?

RDVY and CGDG have the same expense ratio: 0.47% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RDVY or CGDG?

CGDG has the higher dividend yield at 1.88%, compared with 0.89% for RDVY.

What is the main difference between RDVY and CGDG?

RDVY is categorized as Dividend, while CGDG is Global Equities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Capital Group.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RDVY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs 1.28), 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.