RDVY vs. DVY

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

RDVY (First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) and DVY (iShares Select Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RDVY is a Dividend fund tracking the Nasdaq US Rising Dividend Achievers Index, while DVY is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RDVY returned 16.25%/yr vs 10.33%/yr for DVY. Their 0.79 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. RDVY charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for DVY.

Performance

RDVY vs. DVY - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RDVY achieves a 17.25% return, which is significantly higher than DVY's 16.01% return. Over the past 10 years, RDVY has outperformed DVY with an annualized return of 16.25%, while DVY has yielded a comparatively lower 10.33% annualized return.

RDVY

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: 1.19%
• 6M: 12.71%
• YTD: 17.25%
• 1Y: 30.74%
• 3Y*: 19.76%
• 5Y*: 12.89%
• 10Y*: 16.25%
• ALL TIME*: 13.76%

DVY

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: 1.34%
• 6M: 8.82%
• YTD: 16.01%
• 1Y: 24.73%
• 3Y*: 15.50%
• 5Y*: 10.78%
• 10Y*: 10.33%
• ALL TIME*: 9.03%

*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)
DVY iShares Select Dividend ETF	$92.12M	$74.14M	$70.08M
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	$77.65M	$79.19M	$83.63M

RDVY vs. DVY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	17.25%	18.90%	16.41%	20.38%	-13.27%	31.14%	13.47%	37.71%	-9.92%	22.75%
DVY iShares Select Dividend ETF	16.01%	11.60%	16.24%	1.12%	1.80%	31.70%	-4.91%	22.62%	-6.36%	14.82%

Correlation

The correlation between RDVY and DVY is 0.50, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 7, 2014	0.79

Over the past year, the correlation between RDVY and DVY has dropped to 0.50 - well below their long-term average of 0.79, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

RDVY vs. DVY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RDVY	DVY
Financial Services	38.9%	26.1%
Technology	19.4%	3.7%
Industrials	12.5%	2.1%
Consumer Cyclical	11.1%	10.1%
Healthcare	5.6%	5.2%
Communication Services	4.2%	5.2%
Consumer Defensive	2.8%	13.5%
Energy	2.8%	8.2%
Utilities	1.4%	24.2%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

RDVY vs. DVY — Risk / Return Rank

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

RDVY

RDVY Risk / Return Rank: 85
RDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
RDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
RDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 82
RDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
RDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 89

DVY

DVY Risk / Return Rank: 87
DVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
DVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
DVY Omega Ratio Rank: 84
DVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
DVY Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

RDVY vs. DVY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) and iShares Select Dividend ETF (DVY). 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	DVY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.00	2.11	-0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.87	3.12	-0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.36	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.25	3.45	-0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.63	12.38	+1.25

RDVY vs. DVY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RDVY Sharpe Ratio is 2.00, which is comparable to the DVY Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RDVY and DVY, 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. DVY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RDVY drawdown since its inception was -40.60%, smaller than the maximum DVY drawdown of -62.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RDVY and DVY.

Drawdown Indicators

	RDVY	DVY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.60%	-62.59%	+21.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.04%	-6.89%	-2.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.11%	-16.00%	-3.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.32%	-17.54%	-7.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.60%	-41.59%	+0.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.55%	+2.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.95%	-8.74%	+3.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.15%	1.92%	+0.23%

Volatility

RDVY vs. DVY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) is 3.53%, while iShares Select Dividend ETF (DVY) has a volatility of 4.03%. This indicates that RDVY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DVY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RDVY	DVY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.53%	4.03%	-0.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.46%	7.94%	+3.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.65%	11.27%	+3.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.92%	15.12%	+3.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.03%	18.02%	+3.01%

RDVY vs. DVY - Expense Ratio Comparison

RDVY has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than DVY's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

RDVY vs. DVY - Dividend Comparison

RDVY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.83%, less than DVY's 3.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DVY iShares Select Dividend ETF	3.26%	3.65%	3.65%	3.82%	3.43%	3.12%	3.66%	3.41%	3.58%	3.00%	3.04%	3.45%
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	0.83%	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 DVY in my portfolio?

RDVY and DVY have a correlation of 0.50, 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 DVY?

DVY has higher volatility (4.03%) compared to RDVY (3.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RDVY dropped -40.60% vs DVY's -62.59%.

Which ETF is better, RDVY or DVY?

On 10-year performance, RDVY leads with 16.25% vs 10.33% for DVY. On fees, DVY is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, RDVY has been the lower-risk option at 3.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RDVY or DVY?

Over the 10-year period, RDVY has performed better with a 16.25% return vs 10.33%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RDVY or DVY?

DVY is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for RDVY.

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

DVY has the higher dividend yield at 3.26%, compared with 0.83% for RDVY.

What is the main difference between RDVY and DVY?

RDVY is categorized as Dividend, while DVY is Large Cap Value Equities. RDVY tracks Nasdaq US Rising Dividend Achievers Index, while DVY tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Dividend Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for RDVY and 0.39% for DVY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DVY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 2.00), 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.