UDI vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

UDI (USCF ESG Dividend Income Fund) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. UDI is actively managed, while FDL is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, UDI returned 16.92%/yr vs 18.63%/yr for FDL. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. UDI charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for FDL.

Performance

UDI vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in USCF ESG Dividend Income Fund (UDI) 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 UDI having a 11.29% return and FDL slightly higher at 11.33%.

UDI

• 1D: 0.99%
• 1M: 0.69%
• YTD: 11.29%
• 6M: 10.89%
• 1Y: 23.88%
• 3Y*: 16.92%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FDL

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: -3.91%
• YTD: 11.33%
• 6M: 11.38%
• 1Y: 21.02%
• 3Y*: 18.63%
• 5Y*: 12.95%
• 10Y*: 10.99%

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

UDI vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
UDI USCF ESG Dividend Income Fund	11.29%	14.23%	17.07%	6.35%	3.14%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	11.33%	14.79%	17.98%	2.94%	-3.53%

Correlation

The correlation between UDI and FDL is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 8, 2022	0.84

The correlation between UDI and FDL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

UDI vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UDI	FDL
Financial Services	28.3%	15.2%
Healthcare	16.6%	17.6%
Energy	11.4%	25.7%
Real Estate	10.2%	-
Utilities	8.1%	6.5%
Technology	7.9%	1.4%
Communication Services	5.0%	10.6%
Basic Materials	4.1%	0.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.0%	14.4%
Industrials	2.5%	3.9%
Consumer Cyclical	2.1%	4.7%

Return for Risk

UDI vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

UDI

UDI Risk / Return Rank: 78
UDI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
UDI Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
UDI Omega Ratio Rank: 71
UDI Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
UDI Martin Ratio Rank: 82

FDL

FDL Risk / Return Rank: 65
FDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
FDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
FDL Omega Ratio Rank: 53
FDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
FDL Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

UDI vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for USCF ESG Dividend Income Fund (UDI) 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.

	UDI	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.34	1.84	+0.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.33	2.80	+0.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.32	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.24	4.94	-0.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.04	11.71	+4.33

UDI vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UDI Sharpe Ratio is 2.34, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 1.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UDI 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

UDI vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UDI drawdown since its inception was -14.17%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UDI and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	UDI	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.17%	-65.93%	+51.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.66%	-4.27%	-1.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.17%	-12.24%	-1.93%
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	-1.65%	-4.24%	+2.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.07%	-9.64%	+6.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.49%	1.80%	-0.31%

Volatility

UDI vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for USCF ESG Dividend Income Fund (UDI) is 3.33%, while First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) has a volatility of 3.52%. This indicates that UDI 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

	UDI	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.33%	3.52%	-0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.17%	8.03%	-0.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.29%	11.51%	-1.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.02%	14.30%	-0.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.02%	17.13%	-3.11%

UDI vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

UDI has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

UDI vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

UDI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.45%, less than FDL's 3.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	3.74%	4.04%	4.96%	4.58%	3.58%	4.59%	4.48%	3.75%	3.97%	3.18%	2.93%	3.65%
UDI USCF ESG Dividend Income Fund	2.45%	2.42%	5.33%	2.61%	1.79%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UDI and FDL in my portfolio?

UDI and FDL have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UDI or FDL?

FDL has higher volatility (3.52%) compared to UDI (3.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UDI dropped -14.17% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, UDI or FDL?

On 3-year performance, FDL leads with 18.63% vs 16.92% for UDI. On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.43% per year. On volatility, UDI has been the lower-risk option at 3.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UDI or FDL?

Over the 3-year period, FDL has performed better with a 18.63% return vs 16.92%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UDI or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.43% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for UDI.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.74%, compared with 2.45% for UDI.

What is the main difference between UDI and FDL?

They also come from different issuers: USCF Advisers and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for UDI and 0.43% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UDI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 1.84), 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.