RFDI vs. NFTY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RFDI (First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF) and NFTY (First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RFDI is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by First Trust, while NFTY is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the NIFTY 50 Equal Weight Index. RFDI is actively managed, while NFTY is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RFDI returned 8.56%/yr vs 8.13%/yr for NFTY. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. RFDI charges 0.83%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for NFTY.

Performance

RFDI vs. NFTY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF (RFDI) and First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF (NFTY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RFDI achieves a 7.65% return, which is significantly higher than NFTY's -9.70% return. Over the past 10 years, RFDI has outperformed NFTY with an annualized return of 8.56%, while NFTY has yielded a comparatively lower 8.13% annualized return.

RFDI

• 1D: -0.69%
• 1M: 1.91%
• YTD: 7.65%
• 6M: 10.55%
• 1Y: 23.94%
• 3Y*: 19.21%
• 5Y*: 8.07%
• 10Y*: 8.56%

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%

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

RFDI vs. NFTY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RFDI First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF	7.65%	35.95%	5.56%	18.14%	-23.57%	17.36%	9.16%	20.47%	-18.26%	24.08%
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%

Correlation

The correlation between RFDI and NFTY is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.44
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 15, 2016	0.41

RFDI vs. NFTY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RFDI	NFTY
Financial Services	27.2%	21.2%
Energy	11.5%	8.5%
Industrials	11.3%	8.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	16.3%
Healthcare	8.8%	9.7%
Technology	7.9%	9.2%
Consumer Defensive	7.0%	8.3%
Communication Services	4.8%	2.0%
Utilities	4.7%	4.0%
Basic Materials	4.6%	12.5%
Real Estate	1.9%	-

Return for Risk

RFDI vs. NFTY — Risk / Return Rank

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

RFDI

RFDI Risk / Return Rank: 49
RFDI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
RFDI Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
RFDI Omega Ratio Rank: 48
RFDI Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
RFDI Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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

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.

RFDI vs. NFTY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	RFDI	NFTY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	-0.58	+2.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.35	-0.78	+3.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	0.91	+0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.36	-0.53	+2.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.55	-1.39	+9.94
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RFDI vs. NFTY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFDI Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is higher than the NFTY Sharpe Ratio of -0.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFDI and NFTY, 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

	RFDI	NFTY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.67	-0.58	+2.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	0.27	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.39	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.28	+0.21

Drawdowns

RFDI vs. NFTY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFDI drawdown since its inception was -39.40%, smaller than the maximum NFTY drawdown of -47.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFDI and NFTY.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFDI	NFTY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.40%	-47.67%	+8.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.20%	-16.14%	+5.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.44%	-21.55%	+8.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.87%	-21.55%	-14.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.40%	-47.67%	+8.27%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.51%	-17.45%	+14.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.24%	-9.58%	+0.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.81%	6.12%	-3.31%

Volatility

RFDI vs. NFTY - Volatility Comparison

First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF (RFDI) and First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF (NFTY) have volatilities of 4.65% and 4.58%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RFDI	NFTY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.65%	4.58%	+0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.90%	12.57%	-0.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.39%	14.72%	-0.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.76%	17.39%	-0.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.36%	20.72%	-3.36%

RFDI vs. NFTY - Expense Ratio Comparison

RFDI has a 0.83% expense ratio, which is higher than NFTY's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

RFDI vs. NFTY - Dividend Comparison

RFDI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.28%, more than NFTY's 1.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
RFDI First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF	3.28%	3.45%	5.21%	2.43%	5.00%	3.22%	1.34%	2.72%	2.59%	1.63%	1.85%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RFDI and NFTY in my portfolio?

RFDI and NFTY have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RFDI or NFTY?

RFDI has higher volatility (4.65%) compared to NFTY (4.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFDI dropped -39.40% vs NFTY's -47.67%.

Which ETF is better, RFDI or NFTY?

On 10-year performance, RFDI leads with 8.56% vs 8.13% for NFTY. On fees, NFTY is cheaper at 0.80% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RFDI or NFTY?

Over the 10-year period, RFDI has performed better with a 8.56% return vs 8.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RFDI or NFTY?

NFTY is cheaper with a 0.80% expense ratio, compared with 0.83% for RFDI.

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

RFDI has the higher dividend yield at 3.28%, compared with 1.96% for NFTY.

What is the main difference between RFDI and NFTY?

RFDI is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while NFTY is Asia Pacific Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.83% for RFDI and 0.80% for NFTY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFDI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.67 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.