VLU vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VLU (SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds - VLU tracks the S&P 1500 Low Valuation Tilt Index while FDL tracks the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VLU returned 13.99%/yr vs 11.24%/yr for FDL. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VLU charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

VLU vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF (VLU) 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 VLU having a 12.99% return and FDL slightly higher at 13.33%. Over the past 10 years, VLU has outperformed FDL with an annualized return of 13.99%, while FDL has yielded a comparatively lower 11.24% annualized return.

VLU

• 1D: -0.49%
• 1M: 3.04%
• YTD: 12.99%
• 6M: 13.61%
• 1Y: 29.22%
• 3Y*: 20.61%
• 5Y*: 11.91%
• 10Y*: 13.99%

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)

VLU vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VLU SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF	12.99%	16.70%	17.24%	17.18%	-8.24%	30.95%	9.91%	26.20%	-7.89%	18.16%
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 VLU and FDL is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 26, 2012	0.63

The correlation between VLU and FDL shifts across timeframes, from 0.58 (1 year) to 0.80 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VLU vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VLU	FDL
Financial Services	18.8%	15.1%
Technology	17.8%	1.1%
Healthcare	11.7%	16.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.4%	3.8%
Communication Services	8.8%	10.6%
Industrials	8.2%	3.8%
Consumer Defensive	7.4%	14.7%
Energy	7.2%	27.3%
Utilities	3.6%	6.5%
Real Estate	3.4%	-
Basic Materials	2.6%	0.3%

Return for Risk

VLU vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

VLU

VLU Risk / Return Rank: 83
VLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
VLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
VLU Omega Ratio Rank: 81
VLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
VLU Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

VLU vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF (VLU) 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.

	VLU	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.70	2.11	+0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.78	3.25	+0.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.37	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.63	5.56	-0.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.56	13.56	+5.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VLU vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VLU Sharpe Ratio is 2.70, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VLU 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

	VLU	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.70	2.11	+0.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.88	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78	0.66	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.82	0.45	+0.36

Drawdowns

VLU vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VLU drawdown since its inception was -37.39%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VLU and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	VLU	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.39%	-65.93%	+28.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.34%	-4.27%	-2.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.22%	-12.24%	-3.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.55%	-16.46%	-3.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.39%	-41.40%	+4.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.49%	-2.18%	+1.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.74%	-9.66%	+5.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.58%	1.75%	-0.17%

Volatility

VLU vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF (VLU) is 2.25%, while First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) has a volatility of 2.85%. This indicates that VLU 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

	VLU	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.25%	2.85%	-0.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.70%	7.87%	-0.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.90%	11.28%	-0.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.40%	14.31%	+1.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.09%	17.11%	+0.98%

VLU vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

VLU has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

VLU vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

VLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.62%, 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%
VLU SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF	1.62%	1.82%	2.00%	2.02%	2.16%	1.86%	1.98%	2.19%	2.57%	1.96%	2.14%	6.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VLU and FDL in my portfolio?

VLU and FDL have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VLU or FDL?

FDL has higher volatility (2.85%) compared to VLU (2.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VLU dropped -37.39% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, VLU or FDL?

On 10-year performance, VLU leads with 13.99% vs 11.24% for FDL. On fees, VLU is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, VLU has been the lower-risk option at 2.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VLU or FDL?

Over the 10-year period, VLU has performed better with a 13.99% return vs 11.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VLU or FDL?

VLU is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for FDL.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.68%, compared with 1.62% for VLU.

What is the main difference between VLU and FDL?

VLU tracks S&P 1500 Low Valuation Tilt Index, while FDL tracks Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for VLU and 0.45% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VLU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.70 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.