SFEB vs. FDL
SFEB (FT Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - February) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - SFEB 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. SFEB is actively managed, while FDL is passively managed. Over the past year, SFEB returned 23.07% vs 22.39% for FDL. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SFEB charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for FDL.
Performance
SFEB vs. FDL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SFEB achieves a 10.55% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 12.67% return.
SFEB
- 1D
- -0.52%
- 1M
- 1.52%
- YTD
- 10.55%
- 6M
- 9.53%
- 1Y
- 23.07%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FDL
- 1D
- 1.20%
- 1M
- -2.75%
- YTD
- 12.67%
- 6M
- 13.02%
- 1Y
- 22.39%
- 3Y*
- 19.10%
- 5Y*
- 13.08%
- 10Y*
- 11.12%
SFEB vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
SFEB FT Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - February | 10.55% | 9.24% | 9.37% |
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund | 12.67% | 14.79% | 16.11% |
Correlation
The correlation between SFEB and FDL is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 20, 2024 | 0.47 |
The correlation between SFEB and FDL shifts across timeframes, from 0.32 (1 year) to 0.47 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
SFEB vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank
SFEB
FDL
SFEB vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - February (SFEB) 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.
| SFEB | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.48 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.54 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.44 | 1.34 | +0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.44 | 5.26 | -0.82 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 18.15 | 12.40 | +5.75 |
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Drawdowns
SFEB vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SFEB drawdown since its inception was -16.67%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SFEB and FDL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SFEB | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -16.67% | -65.93% | +49.26% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.22% | -4.27% | -0.95% |
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 | -0.52% | -3.09% | +2.57% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.46% | -9.64% | +7.18% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.27% | 1.81% | -0.54% |
Volatility
SFEB vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - February (SFEB) is 2.60%, while First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) has a volatility of 3.72%. This indicates that SFEB 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
| SFEB | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.60% | 3.72% | -1.12% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.75% | 8.09% | -1.34% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 9.56% | 11.54% | -1.98% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.02% | 14.31% | -2.29% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 12.02% | 17.11% | -5.09% |
SFEB vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison
SFEB has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.43% expense ratio.
Dividends
SFEB vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison
SFEB has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FDL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.70%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund | 3.70% | 4.04% | 4.96% | 4.58% | 3.58% | 4.59% | 4.48% | 3.75% | 3.97% | 3.18% | 2.93% | 3.65% |
SFEB FT Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - February | 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
SFEB and FDL have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FDL has higher volatility (3.72%) compared to SFEB (2.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SFEB dropped -16.67% vs FDL's -65.93%.
On 1-year performance, SFEB leads with 23.07% vs 22.39% for FDL. On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.43% per year. On volatility, SFEB has been the lower-risk option at 2.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, SFEB has performed better with a 23.07% return vs 22.39%. 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 0.90% for SFEB.
FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.70%, compared with 0.00% for SFEB.
SFEB is categorized as Defined Outcome, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for SFEB and 0.43% for FDL.
SFEB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 1.95), 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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