SNOV vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SNOV (FT Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - November) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - SNOV 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. SNOV is actively managed, while FDL is passively managed. Over the past year, SNOV returned 17.37% vs 23.67% for FDL. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SNOV charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

SNOV vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - November (SNOV) 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, SNOV achieves a 7.65% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 13.33% return.

SNOV

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: 1.60%
• YTD: 7.65%
• 6M: 7.78%
• 1Y: 17.37%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 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)

SNOV vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
SNOV FT Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - November	7.65%	7.01%	9.19%	5.62%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	13.33%	14.79%	17.98%	7.54%

Correlation

The correlation between SNOV and FDL is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 21, 2023	0.50

The correlation between SNOV and FDL shifts across timeframes, from 0.38 (1 year) to 0.50 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SNOV vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SNOV	FDL
Industrials	17.5%	3.8%
Technology	16.9%	1.1%
Healthcare	16.5%	16.8%
Financial Services	15.9%	15.1%
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	3.8%
Real Estate	6.2%	-
Energy	6.2%	27.3%
Basic Materials	4.8%	0.3%
Utilities	2.9%	6.5%
Communication Services	2.5%	10.6%
Consumer Defensive	2.4%	14.7%

Return for Risk

SNOV vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

SNOV

SNOV Risk / Return Rank: 49
SNOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
SNOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
SNOV Omega Ratio Rank: 48
SNOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
SNOV Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

SNOV 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 - November (SNOV) 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.

	SNOV	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.60	2.11	-0.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.34	3.25	-0.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.37	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.20	5.56	-3.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.48	13.56	-4.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SNOV vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SNOV Sharpe Ratio is 1.60, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SNOV 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

	SNOV	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.60	2.11	-0.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.88	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.66	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.07	0.45	+0.62

Drawdowns

SNOV vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SNOV drawdown since its inception was -15.36%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SNOV and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	SNOV	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.36%	-65.93%	+50.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.91%	-4.27%	-3.64%
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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.34%	-2.18%	+1.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.03%	-9.66%	+7.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.84%	1.75%	+0.09%

Volatility

SNOV vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - November (SNOV) is 1.69%, while First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) has a volatility of 2.85%. This indicates that SNOV 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

	SNOV	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.69%	2.85%	-1.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.08%	7.87%	-1.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.90%	11.28%	-0.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.14%	14.31%	-3.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.14%	17.11%	-5.97%

SNOV vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

SNOV has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

SNOV vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

SNOV has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FDL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.68%.

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%
SNOV FT Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - November	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

Can I hold both SNOV and FDL in my portfolio?

SNOV and FDL have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SNOV or FDL?

FDL has higher volatility (2.85%) compared to SNOV (1.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SNOV dropped -15.36% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, SNOV or FDL?

On 1-year performance, FDL leads with 23.67% vs 17.37% for SNOV. On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, SNOV has been the lower-risk option at 1.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SNOV or FDL?

Over the 1-year period, FDL has performed better with a 23.67% return vs 17.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SNOV or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for SNOV.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.68%, compared with 0.00% for SNOV.

What is the main difference between SNOV and FDL?

SNOV is categorized as Defined Outcome, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for SNOV and 0.45% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.60), 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.