RNDV vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RNDV (US Equity Dividend Select ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - RNDV is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Riskalyze US Large Cap Select Dividend Index, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, RNDV returned 9.28%/yr vs 12.51%/yr for FDL. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RNDV charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

RNDV vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RNDV achieves a 16.69% return, which is significantly higher than FDL's 13.33% return.

RNDV

• 1D: -1.01%
• 1M: 8.04%
• YTD: 16.69%
• 6M: 16.73%
• 1Y: 31.60%
• 3Y*: 17.67%
• 5Y*: 9.28%
• 10Y*: —

FDL

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: -0.26%
• YTD: 13.33%
• 6M: 14.76%
• 1Y: 23.67%
• 3Y*: 18.97%
• 5Y*: 12.51%
• 10Y*: 11.24%

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

RNDV vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RNDV US Equity Dividend Select ETF	16.69%	14.27%	11.05%	9.77%	-7.55%	28.99%	5.51%	27.34%	-7.11%	9.90%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	13.33%	14.79%	17.98%	2.94%	6.66%	26.10%	-4.30%	24.41%	-5.99%	7.84%

Correlation

The correlation between RNDV and FDL is 0.61, 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	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2017	0.69

The correlation between RNDV and FDL shifts across timeframes, from 0.61 (1 year) to 0.78 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

RNDV vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RNDV	FDL
Technology	34.0%	1.1%
Healthcare	13.6%	16.8%
Financial Services	10.7%	15.1%
Consumer Cyclical	9.7%	3.8%
Industrials	9.4%	3.8%
Consumer Defensive	5.8%	14.7%
Energy	5.0%	27.3%
Communication Services	4.8%	10.6%
Utilities	2.6%	6.5%
Real Estate	2.4%	-
Basic Materials	1.7%	0.3%

Return for Risk

RNDV vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

RNDV

RNDV Risk / Return Rank: 69
RNDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
RNDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
RNDV Omega Ratio Rank: 69
RNDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
RNDV Martin Ratio Rank: 63

FDL

FDL Risk / Return Rank: 70
FDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
FDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
FDL Omega Ratio Rank: 59
FDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
FDL Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

RNDV vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for US Equity Dividend Select ETF (RNDV) 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.

	RNDV	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.34	2.11	+0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.33	3.25	+0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.37	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.37	5.56	-2.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.35	13.56	-2.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RNDV vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RNDV Sharpe Ratio is 2.34, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RNDV and FDL, 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

	RNDV	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.34	2.11	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.88	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.66	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.61	0.45	+0.16

Drawdowns

RNDV vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RNDV drawdown since its inception was -37.44%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RNDV and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	RNDV	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.44%	-65.93%	+28.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.41%	-4.27%	-5.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.70%	-12.24%	-7.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.71%	-16.46%	-3.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.40%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.01%	-2.18%	+1.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.87%	-9.66%	+4.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.79%	1.75%	+1.04%

Volatility

RNDV vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

US Equity Dividend Select ETF (RNDV) has a higher volatility of 3.82% compared to First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) at 2.85%. This indicates that RNDV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FDL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RNDV	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.82%	2.85%	+0.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.90%	7.87%	+2.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.58%	11.28%	+2.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.12%	14.31%	+1.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.87%	17.11%	+1.76%

RNDV vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

RNDV has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

RNDV vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

RNDV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.33%, less than FDL's 3.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	3.68%	4.04%	4.96%	4.58%	3.58%	4.59%	4.48%	3.75%	3.97%	3.18%	2.93%	3.65%
RNDV US Equity Dividend Select ETF	2.33%	2.70%	2.55%	3.10%	2.52%	1.95%	2.44%	2.85%	4.09%	1.10%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RNDV and FDL in my portfolio?

RNDV and FDL have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RNDV or FDL?

RNDV has higher volatility (3.82%) compared to FDL (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RNDV dropped -37.44% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, RNDV or FDL?

On 5-year performance, FDL leads with 12.51% vs 9.28% for RNDV. On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, FDL has been the lower-risk option at 2.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RNDV or FDL?

Over the 5-year period, FDL has performed better with a 12.51% return vs 9.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RNDV or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for RNDV.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.68%, compared with 2.33% for RNDV.

What is the main difference between RNDV and FDL?

RNDV is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. RNDV tracks Nasdaq Riskalyze US Large Cap Select Dividend Index, while FDL tracks Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for RNDV and 0.45% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RNDV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 2.11), 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.