SIXA vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SIXA (6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - SIXA is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Exchange Traded Concepts, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. SIXA is actively managed, while FDL is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SIXA returned 12.50%/yr vs 12.51%/yr for FDL. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SIXA charges 0.86%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

SIXA vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF (SIXA) 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, SIXA achieves a 11.89% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 13.33% return.

SIXA

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 2.40%
• YTD: 11.89%
• 6M: 12.48%
• 1Y: 18.71%
• 3Y*: 20.65%
• 5Y*: 12.50%
• 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)

SIXA vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
SIXA 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF	11.89%	15.52%	22.70%	11.98%	-5.72%	23.87%	18.45%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	13.33%	14.79%	17.98%	2.94%	6.66%	26.10%	25.46%

Correlation

The correlation between SIXA and FDL is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 12, 2020	0.79

The correlation between SIXA and FDL shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (1 year) to 0.80 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SIXA vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SIXA	FDL
Consumer Defensive	23.8%	14.7%
Technology	19.7%	1.1%
Communication Services	13.4%	10.6%
Healthcare	12.7%	16.8%
Financial Services	9.6%	15.1%
Industrials	7.8%	3.8%
Consumer Cyclical	6.7%	3.8%
Utilities	5.0%	6.5%
Energy	3.1%	27.3%
Real Estate	1.4%	-
Basic Materials	-	0.3%

Return for Risk

SIXA vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

SIXA

SIXA Risk / Return Rank: 65
SIXA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
SIXA Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
SIXA Omega Ratio Rank: 60
SIXA Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SIXA Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

SIXA vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF (SIXA) 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.

	SIXA	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.10	2.11	-0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.14	3.25	-0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.37	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.36	5.56	-2.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.75	13.56	-0.81
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SIXA vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SIXA Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SIXA 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

	SIXA	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.10	2.11	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98	0.88	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.66	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.20	0.45	+0.75

Drawdowns

SIXA vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SIXA drawdown since its inception was -18.38%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SIXA and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	SIXA	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.38%	-65.93%	+47.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.59%	-4.27%	-1.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.22%	-12.24%	+1.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.38%	-16.46%	-1.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.40%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.84%	-2.18%	+1.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.00%	-9.66%	+6.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.47%	1.75%	-0.28%

Volatility

SIXA vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF (SIXA) is 2.56%, while First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) has a volatility of 2.85%. This indicates that SIXA 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.

Volatility by Period

	SIXA	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.56%	2.85%	-0.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.76%	7.87%	-1.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.94%	11.28%	-2.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.80%	14.31%	-1.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.36%	17.11%	-3.75%

SIXA vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

SIXA has a 0.86% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

SIXA vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

SIXA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.01%, 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%
SIXA 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF	2.01%	2.31%	1.62%	2.12%	2.23%	1.63%	1.13%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SIXA and FDL in my portfolio?

SIXA and FDL have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SIXA or FDL?

FDL has higher volatility (2.85%) compared to SIXA (2.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SIXA dropped -18.38% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, SIXA or FDL?

On 5-year performance, FDL leads with 12.51% vs 12.50% for SIXA. On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, SIXA has been the lower-risk option at 2.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SIXA or FDL?

Over the 5-year period, FDL has performed better with a 12.51% return vs 12.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SIXA or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for SIXA.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.68%, compared with 2.01% for SIXA.

What is the main difference between SIXA and FDL?

SIXA is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: Exchange Traded Concepts and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.86% for SIXA and 0.45% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 2.10), 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.