TMAR vs. FDL
TMAR (FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - TMAR is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) Price Return, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, TMAR returned 28.83% vs 23.67% for FDL. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TMAR charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.
Performance
TMAR vs. FDL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, TMAR achieves a 14.45% return, which is significantly higher than FDL's 13.33% return.
TMAR
- 1D
- -0.72%
- 1M
- 2.73%
- YTD
- 14.45%
- 6M
- 15.92%
- 1Y
- 28.83%
- 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%
TMAR vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
TMAR FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March | 14.45% | 14.71% |
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund | 13.33% | 6.28% |
Correlation
The correlation between TMAR and FDL is 0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.08 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 25, 2025 | 0.17 |
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Return for Risk
TMAR vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank
TMAR
FDL
TMAR vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March (TMAR) 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.
| TMAR | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.95 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.38 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.77 | 1.37 | +0.40 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 7.95 | 5.56 | +2.39 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 38.42 | 13.56 | +24.87 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| TMAR | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.06 | 2.11 | +0.95 |
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 | 2.25 | 0.45 | +1.80 |
Drawdowns
TMAR vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum TMAR drawdown since its inception was -9.93%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TMAR and FDL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| TMAR | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -9.93% | -65.93% | +56.00% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.64% | -4.27% | +0.63% |
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 | -0.72% | -2.18% | +1.46% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.66% | -9.66% | +9.00% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.75% | 1.75% | -1.00% |
Volatility
TMAR vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison
FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March (TMAR) has a higher volatility of 4.53% compared to First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) at 2.85%. This indicates that TMAR'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.
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Volatility by Period
| TMAR | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.53% | 2.85% | +1.68% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.17% | 7.87% | +0.30% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 9.47% | 11.28% | -1.81% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 11.42% | 14.31% | -2.89% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.42% | 17.11% | -5.69% |
TMAR vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison
TMAR has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.
Dividends
TMAR vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison
TMAR 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% |
TMAR FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March | 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
TMAR and FDL have a correlation of 0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
TMAR has higher volatility (4.53%) compared to FDL (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TMAR dropped -9.93% vs FDL's -65.93%.
On 1-year performance, TMAR leads with 28.83% vs 23.67% for FDL. On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, FDL has been the lower-risk option at 2.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, TMAR has performed better with a 28.83% return vs 23.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FDL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for TMAR.
FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.68%, compared with 0.00% for TMAR.
TMAR is categorized as Defined Outcome, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. TMAR tracks iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) Price Return, while FDL tracks Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for TMAR and 0.45% for FDL.
TMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.06 vs 2.11), 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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