TUSA vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TUSA (First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - TUSA is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Total US Market Index, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, TUSA returned 10.75%/yr vs 11.24%/yr for FDL. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TUSA charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

TUSA vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF (TUSA) 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, TUSA achieves a 6.54% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 13.33% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with TUSA having a 10.75% annualized return and FDL not far ahead at 11.24%.

TUSA

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: -2.16%
• YTD: 6.54%
• 6M: 6.72%
• 1Y: 18.40%
• 3Y*: 16.04%
• 5Y*: 6.32%
• 10Y*: 10.75%

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)

TUSA vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TUSA First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF	6.54%	13.64%	11.12%	11.75%	-13.54%	24.79%	14.16%	24.29%	-10.35%	20.07%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	13.33%	14.79%	17.98%	2.94%	6.66%	26.10%	-4.30%	24.41%	-5.99%	12.02%

Correlation

The correlation between TUSA and FDL is 0.77, 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	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 16, 2006	0.57

Over the past year, TUSA and FDL have become more correlated (0.77) than their long-term average of 0.57, meaning their price movements have been converging.

TUSA vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TUSA	FDL
Financial Services	31.9%	15.1%
Industrials	19.8%	3.8%
Consumer Cyclical	16.0%	3.8%
Basic Materials	14.1%	0.3%
Utilities	7.5%	6.5%
Technology	6.1%	1.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.1%	14.7%
Real Estate	2.1%	-
Healthcare	2.0%	16.8%
Communication Services	2.0%	10.6%
Energy	1.9%	27.3%

Return for Risk

TUSA vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

TUSA

TUSA Risk / Return Rank: 45
TUSA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
TUSA Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
TUSA Omega Ratio Rank: 39
TUSA Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
TUSA Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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.

TUSA vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF (TUSA) 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.

	TUSA	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.44	2.11	-0.67
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.19	3.25	-1.07
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.37	-0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.81	5.56	-2.75
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.56	13.56	-5.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TUSA vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TUSA Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is lower than the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TUSA 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

	TUSA	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.44	2.11	-0.67
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36	0.88	-0.52
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.66	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.45	-0.13

Drawdowns

TUSA vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TUSA drawdown since its inception was -56.53%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TUSA and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	TUSA	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.53%	-65.93%	+9.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.57%	-4.27%	-2.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.04%	-12.24%	-5.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.35%	-16.46%	-6.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.47%	-41.40%	-1.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.46%	-2.18%	-2.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.87%	-9.66%	-0.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.44%	1.75%	+0.69%

Volatility

TUSA vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF (TUSA) has a higher volatility of 3.48% compared to First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) at 2.85%. This indicates that TUSA'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

	TUSA	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.48%	2.85%	+0.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.87%	7.87%	+1.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.92%	11.28%	+1.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.65%	14.31%	+3.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.14%	17.11%	+3.03%

TUSA vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

TUSA has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

TUSA vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

TUSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.66%, 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%
TUSA First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF	1.66%	1.59%	2.05%	2.15%	2.31%	0.72%	0.99%	1.13%	1.14%	0.79%	1.24%	0.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TUSA and FDL in my portfolio?

TUSA and FDL have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TUSA or FDL?

TUSA has higher volatility (3.48%) compared to FDL (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TUSA dropped -56.53% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, TUSA or FDL?

On 10-year performance, FDL leads with 11.24% vs 10.75% for TUSA. 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.

Which ETF has performed better, TUSA or FDL?

Over the 10-year period, FDL has performed better with a 11.24% return vs 10.75%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TUSA or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for TUSA.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.68%, compared with 1.66% for TUSA.

What is the main difference between TUSA and FDL?

TUSA is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. TUSA tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Total US Market Index, while FDL tracks Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for TUSA and 0.45% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.44), 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.