VUSG vs. FDL
VUSG (Vanguard Wellington U.S. Growth Active ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - VUSG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. VUSG is actively managed, while FDL is passively managed. At a correlation of -0.24, they often move in opposite directions. VUSG charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for FDL.
Performance
VUSG vs. FDL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VUSG achieves a 1.35% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 12.82% return.
VUSG
- 1D
- -1.11%
- 1M
- -4.61%
- YTD
- 1.35%
- 6M
- 0.02%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FDL
- 1D
- 0.46%
- 1M
- -1.40%
- YTD
- 12.82%
- 6M
- 12.61%
- 1Y
- 23.52%
- 3Y*
- 18.84%
- 5Y*
- 13.04%
- 10Y*
- 11.24%
VUSG vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
VUSG Vanguard Wellington U.S. Growth Active ETF | 1.35% | 2.62% |
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund | 12.82% | 3.89% |
Correlation
The correlation between VUSG and FDL is -0.24, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2025 | -0.24 |
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Return for Risk
VUSG vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank
VUSG
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
FDL
VUSG vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Wellington U.S. Growth Active ETF (VUSG) 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.
| VUSG | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.36 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 5.53 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 12.87 | — |
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Drawdowns
VUSG vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VUSG drawdown since its inception was -15.14%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUSG and FDL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VUSG | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -15.14% | -65.93% | +50.79% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -4.27% | — |
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 | -7.86% | -2.96% | -4.90% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.69% | -9.63% | +5.94% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 1.83% | — |
Volatility
VUSG vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| VUSG | FDL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 3.39% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 8.09% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.02% | 11.55% | +8.47% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.02% | 14.31% | +5.71% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.02% | 17.10% | +2.92% |
VUSG vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison
VUSG has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than FDL's 0.43% expense ratio.
Dividends
VUSG vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison
VUSG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.02%, less than FDL's 4.69% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund | 4.69% | 4.04% | 4.96% | 4.58% | 3.58% | 4.59% | 4.48% | 3.75% | 3.97% | 3.18% | 2.93% | 3.65% |
VUSG Vanguard Wellington U.S. Growth Active ETF | 0.02% | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VUSG and FDL have a correlation of -0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, VUSG is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
VUSG is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.43% for FDL.
FDL has the higher dividend yield at 4.69%, compared with 0.02% for VUSG.
VUSG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for VUSG and 0.43% for FDL.
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