STRL vs. FDL

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

STRL (Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.) is a stock, while FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) is Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Over the past 10 years, STRL returned 56.25%/yr vs 11.08%/yr for FDL. Their 0.33 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship.

Performance

STRL vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL) 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, STRL achieves a 75.04% return, which is significantly higher than FDL's 18.60% return. Over the past 10 years, STRL has outperformed FDL with an annualized return of 56.25%, while FDL has yielded a comparatively lower 11.08% annualized return.

STRL

• 1D: -1.03%
• 1M: -25.25%
• 6M: 48.83%
• YTD: 75.04%
• 1Y: 80.74%
• 3Y*: 106.36%
• 5Y*: 89.10%
• 10Y*: 56.25%
• ALL TIME*: 19.56%

FDL

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: 4.47%
• 6M: 5.75%
• YTD: 18.60%
• 1Y: 26.71%
• 3Y*: 19.02%
• 5Y*: 13.96%
• 10Y*: 11.08%
• ALL TIME*: 8.95%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	$48.97M	$49.30M	$42.41M
STRL Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.	$653.25M	$536.64M	$615.57M

STRL vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
STRL Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.	75.04%	81.79%	91.57%	168.08%	24.71%	41.32%	32.17%	29.29%	-33.11%	92.43%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	18.60%	14.79%	17.98%	2.94%	6.66%	26.10%	-4.30%	24.41%	-5.99%	12.02%

Correlation

The correlation between STRL and FDL is -0.11, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.11
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.08
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.22
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 15, 2006	0.33

The correlation between STRL and FDL shifts across timeframes, from -0.11 (1 year) to 0.33 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

STRL vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

STRL

STRL Risk / Return Rank: 75
STRL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
STRL Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
STRL Omega Ratio Rank: 75
STRL Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
STRL Martin Ratio Rank: 78

FDL

FDL Risk / Return Rank: 89
FDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
FDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
FDL Omega Ratio Rank: 83
FDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
FDL Martin Ratio Rank: 88

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

STRL vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL) 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.

	STRL	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.91	2.26	-1.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.86	3.41	-1.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.39	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.61	6.28	-4.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.02	14.78	-9.77

STRL vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STRL Sharpe Ratio is 0.91, which is lower than the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STRL 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.

Drawdowns

STRL vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STRL drawdown since its inception was -92.51%, which is greater than FDL's maximum drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STRL and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	STRL	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-92.51%	-65.93%	-26.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-50.26%	-4.27%	-45.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-50.26%	-12.24%	-38.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.26%	-16.46%	-33.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-59.60%	-41.40%	-18.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-46.06%	-1.60%	-44.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-46.20%	-9.59%	-36.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.15%	1.81%	+14.34%

Volatility

STRL vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL) has a higher volatility of 32.19% compared to First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) at 4.48%. This indicates that STRL'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

	STRL	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	32.19%	4.48%	+27.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	72.42%	8.63%	+63.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	89.56%	11.88%	+77.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	59.17%	14.43%	+44.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	54.78%	17.16%	+37.62%

Dividends

STRL vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

STRL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FDL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.58%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	3.58%	4.04%	4.96%	4.58%	3.58%	4.59%	4.48%	3.75%	3.97%	3.18%	2.93%	3.65%
STRL Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.	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 STRL and FDL in my portfolio?

STRL and FDL have a correlation of -0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STRL or FDL?

STRL has higher volatility (32.19%) compared to FDL (4.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STRL dropped -92.51% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 0.91), 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.