WTV vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

WTV (WisdomTree US Value ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds - WTV tracks the WisdomTree U.S. LargeCap Value Index while FDL tracks the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, WTV returned 13.36%/yr vs 12.69%/yr for FDL. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. WTV charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

WTV vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree US Value ETF (WTV) 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, WTV achieves a 11.47% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 14.21% return.

WTV

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: 4.50%
• YTD: 11.47%
• 6M: 12.37%
• 1Y: 25.21%
• 3Y*: 22.93%
• 5Y*: 13.36%
• 10Y*: —

FDL

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: 0.32%
• YTD: 14.21%
• 6M: 15.52%
• 1Y: 25.50%
• 3Y*: 19.57%
• 5Y*: 12.69%
• 10Y*: 11.28%

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

WTV vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WTV WisdomTree US Value ETF	11.47%	13.51%	23.99%	22.35%	-8.06%	30.59%	6.15%	29.69%	-8.29%	1.14%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	14.21%	14.79%	17.98%	2.94%	6.66%	26.10%	-4.30%	24.41%	-5.99%	0.23%

Correlation

The correlation between WTV and FDL is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 18, 2017	0.78

The correlation between WTV and FDL shifts across timeframes, from 0.62 (1 year) to 0.78 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

WTV vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	WTV	FDL
Financial Services	19.5%	15.1%
Technology	15.3%	1.1%
Consumer Cyclical	10.7%	3.8%
Consumer Defensive	10.7%	14.7%
Industrials	10.5%	3.8%
Healthcare	7.3%	16.8%
Communication Services	6.9%	10.6%
Energy	6.8%	27.3%
Real Estate	5.3%	-
Utilities	4.8%	6.5%
Basic Materials	2.2%	0.3%

Return for Risk

WTV vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

WTV

WTV Risk / Return Rank: 67
WTV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
WTV Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
WTV Omega Ratio Rank: 64
WTV Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
WTV Martin Ratio Rank: 64

FDL

FDL Risk / Return Rank: 77
FDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
FDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
FDL Omega Ratio Rank: 67
FDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
FDL Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

WTV vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree US Value ETF (WTV) 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.

	WTV	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	2.27	-0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.14	3.49	-0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.40	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.54	5.99	-2.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.55	14.59	-3.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WTV vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WTV Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WTV 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

	WTV	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.15	2.27	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.89	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.66	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.68	0.45	+0.22

Drawdowns

WTV vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WTV drawdown since its inception was -42.18%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WTV and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	WTV	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.18%	-65.93%	+23.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.15%	-4.27%	-2.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.49%	-12.24%	-6.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.30%	-16.46%	-2.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.40%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.11%	-1.41%	+1.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.05%	-9.66%	+4.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.19%	1.75%	+0.44%

Volatility

WTV vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

WisdomTree US Value ETF (WTV) and First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) have volatilities of 3.01% and 2.95%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WTV	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.01%	2.95%	+0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.92%	7.85%	+0.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.82%	11.30%	+0.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.09%	14.31%	+2.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.20%	17.11%	+3.09%

WTV vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

WTV vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

WTV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.64%, less than FDL's 3.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	3.65%	4.04%	4.96%	4.58%	3.58%	4.59%	4.48%	3.75%	3.97%	3.18%	2.93%	3.65%
WTV WisdomTree US Value ETF	1.64%	1.59%	1.54%	1.62%	2.08%	1.55%	1.63%	1.44%	1.94%	0.41%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WTV and FDL in my portfolio?

WTV and FDL have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WTV or FDL?

WTV has higher volatility (3.01%) compared to FDL (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WTV dropped -42.18% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, WTV or FDL?

On 5-year performance, WTV leads with 13.36% vs 12.69% for FDL. On fees, WTV is cheaper at 0.12% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, WTV or FDL?

Over the 5-year period, WTV has performed better with a 13.36% return vs 12.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, WTV or FDL?

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

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.65%, compared with 1.64% for WTV.

What is the main difference between WTV and FDL?

WTV tracks WisdomTree U.S. LargeCap Value Index, while FDL tracks Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for WTV and 0.45% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 2.15), 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.