RSSE vs. FDL
RSSE (FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - September) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - RSSE is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. RSSE is actively managed, while FDL is passively managed. Over the past year, RSSE returned 14.40% vs 28.21% for FDL. Their 0.62 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. RSSE charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for FDL.
Performance
RSSE vs. FDL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, RSSE achieves a 10.21% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 19.24% return.
RSSE
- 1D
- 0.34%
- 1M
- 1.40%
- 6M
- 7.93%
- YTD
- 10.21%
- 1Y
- 14.40%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 9.51%
FDL
- 1D
- 0.52%
- 1M
- 4.21%
- 6M
- 8.54%
- YTD
- 19.24%
- 1Y
- 28.21%
- 3Y*
- 19.23%
- 5Y*
- 14.12%
- 10Y*
- 11.14%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.98%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50.65M | $49.05M | $43.27M | |
| $87.23K | $92.56K | $78.59K |
RSSE vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
RSSE FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - September | 10.21% | 7.83% | -0.35% |
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund | 19.24% | 14.79% | -1.03% |
Correlation
The correlation between RSSE and FDL is 0.48, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.48 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2024 | 0.62 |
The correlation between RSSE and FDL shifts across timeframes, from 0.48 (1 year) to 0.62 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
RSSE vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank
RSSE
FDL
RSSE vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - September (RSSE) 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.
| RSSE | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.47 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.67 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.36 | 1.42 | -0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.30 | 6.63 | -3.33 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.59 | 15.64 | -3.05 |
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Drawdowns
RSSE vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum RSSE drawdown since its inception was -11.37%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RSSE and FDL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| RSSE | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -11.37% | -65.93% | +54.56% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.38% | -4.27% | -0.11% |
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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -1.07% | +1.07% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.46% | -9.59% | +8.13% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.15% | 1.81% | -0.66% |
Volatility
RSSE vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - September (RSSE) is 1.42%, while First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) has a volatility of 4.55%. This indicates that RSSE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FDL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| RSSE | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.42% | 4.55% | -3.13% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.01% | 8.76% | -3.75% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.57% | 11.87% | -4.30% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 9.92% | 14.43% | -4.51% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 9.92% | 17.16% | -7.24% |
RSSE vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison
RSSE has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.43% expense ratio.
Dividends
RSSE vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison
RSSE has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FDL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.56%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund | 3.56% | 4.04% | 4.96% | 4.58% | 3.58% | 4.59% | 4.48% | 3.75% | 3.97% | 3.18% | 2.93% | 3.65% |
RSSE FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - September | 0.00% | 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
RSSE and FDL 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.
FDL has higher volatility (4.55%) compared to RSSE (1.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RSSE dropped -11.37% vs FDL's -65.93%.
On 1-year performance, FDL leads with 28.21% vs 14.40% for RSSE. On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.43% per year. On volatility, RSSE has been the lower-risk option at 1.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, FDL has performed better with a 28.21% return vs 14.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FDL is cheaper with a 0.43% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for RSSE.
FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.56%, compared with 0.00% for RSSE.
RSSE is categorized as Defined Outcome, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for RSSE and 0.43% for FDL.
FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 1.92), 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.
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