SURE vs. FDL

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

SURE (AdvisorShares Insider Advantage ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. SURE is actively managed, while FDL is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SURE returned 11.24%/yr vs 10.98%/yr for FDL. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SURE charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for FDL.

Performance

SURE vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AdvisorShares Insider Advantage ETF (SURE) and First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with SURE having a 17.28% return and FDL slightly higher at 17.61%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SURE having a 11.24% annualized return and FDL not far behind at 10.98%.

SURE

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: 2.98%
• 6M: 12.39%
• YTD: 17.28%
• 1Y: 28.62%
• 3Y*: 16.51%
• 5Y*: 11.12%
• 10Y*: 11.24%

FDL

• 1D: 2.42%
• 1M: 2.96%
• 6M: 12.71%
• YTD: 17.61%
• 1Y: 25.62%
• 3Y*: 19.90%
• 5Y*: 14.10%
• 10Y*: 10.98%

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

SURE vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SURE AdvisorShares Insider Advantage ETF	17.28%	10.58%	12.17%	23.30%	-11.24%	23.87%	8.76%	28.89%	-17.03%	13.16%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	17.61%	14.79%	17.98%	2.94%	6.66%	26.10%	-4.30%	24.41%	-5.99%	12.02%

Correlation

The correlation between SURE 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 (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.59
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 5, 2011	0.70

Over the past year, the correlation between SURE and FDL has dropped to 0.38 - well below their long-term average of 0.70, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

SURE vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SURE	FDL
Technology	24.6%	1.4%
Consumer Cyclical	19.3%	4.7%
Financial Services	15.3%	15.2%
Industrials	13.4%	3.9%
Communication Services	9.5%	10.6%
Energy	5.8%	25.7%
Healthcare	5.5%	17.6%
Basic Materials	2.0%	0.3%
Consumer Defensive	0.9%	14.4%
Utilities	0.9%	6.5%
Real Estate	0.8%	-

Return for Risk

SURE vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

SURE

SURE Risk / Return Rank: 86
SURE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
SURE Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
SURE Omega Ratio Rank: 80
SURE Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
SURE Martin Ratio Rank: 88

FDL

FDL Risk / Return Rank: 87
FDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
FDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
FDL Omega Ratio Rank: 81
FDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
FDL Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

SURE vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AdvisorShares Insider Advantage ETF (SURE) 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.

	SURE	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.18	2.18	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.18	3.33	-0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.38	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.05	6.02	-1.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.08	13.73	+1.35

SURE vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SURE Sharpe Ratio is 2.18, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SURE 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

SURE vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SURE drawdown since its inception was -35.68%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SURE and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	SURE	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.68%	-65.93%	+30.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.10%	-4.27%	-2.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.54%	-12.24%	-9.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.75%	-16.46%	-7.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.68%	-41.40%	+5.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.81%	-9.61%	+4.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.90%	1.87%	+0.03%

Volatility

SURE vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AdvisorShares Insider Advantage ETF (SURE) is 3.20%, while First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) has a volatility of 4.91%. This indicates that SURE 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

	SURE	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.20%	4.91%	-1.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.62%	8.74%	+0.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.16%	11.79%	+1.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.11%	14.41%	+2.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.49%	17.13%	+0.36%

SURE vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

SURE has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

SURE vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

SURE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.86%, less than FDL's 3.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	3.61%	4.04%	4.96%	4.58%	3.58%	4.59%	4.48%	3.75%	3.97%	3.18%	2.93%	3.65%
SURE AdvisorShares Insider Advantage ETF	0.86%	1.01%	0.68%	1.11%	1.72%	1.08%	1.28%	1.09%	1.26%	0.65%	1.14%	0.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SURE and FDL in my portfolio?

SURE 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, SURE or FDL?

FDL has higher volatility (4.91%) compared to SURE (3.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SURE dropped -35.68% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, SURE or FDL?

On 10-year performance, SURE leads with 11.24% vs 10.98% for FDL. On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.43% per year. On volatility, SURE has been the lower-risk option at 3.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SURE or FDL?

Over the 10-year period, SURE has performed better with a 11.24% return vs 10.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SURE or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.43% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for SURE.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.61%, compared with 0.86% for SURE.

What is the main difference between SURE and FDL?

They also come from different issuers: AdvisorShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for SURE and 0.43% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SURE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 2.18), 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.