XPND vs. FDL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XPND (First Trust Expanded Technology ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - XPND is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by First Trust, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. XPND is actively managed, while FDL is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, XPND returned 28.18%/yr vs 18.97%/yr for FDL. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XPND charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FDL.

Performance

XPND vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Expanded Technology ETF (XPND) 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, XPND achieves a 16.32% return, which is significantly higher than FDL's 13.33% return.

XPND

• 1D: -0.83%
• 1M: 12.34%
• YTD: 16.32%
• 6M: 15.44%
• 1Y: 32.11%
• 3Y*: 28.18%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

XPND vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
XPND First Trust Expanded Technology ETF	16.32%	18.82%	29.61%	46.13%	-29.66%	15.05%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	13.33%	14.79%	17.98%	2.94%	6.66%	7.57%

Correlation

The correlation between XPND and FDL is -0.00, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2021	0.34

The correlation between XPND and FDL shifts across timeframes, from -0.00 (1 year) to 0.34 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XPND vs. FDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XPND	FDL
Technology	76.5%	1.1%
Communication Services	15.7%	10.6%
Financial Services	5.9%	15.1%
Basic Materials	-	0.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	3.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	14.7%
Energy	-	27.3%
Healthcare	-	16.8%
Industrials	-	3.8%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	6.5%

Return for Risk

XPND vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

XPND

XPND Risk / Return Rank: 45
XPND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
XPND Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
XPND Omega Ratio Rank: 50
XPND Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
XPND Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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.

XPND vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Expanded Technology ETF (XPND) 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.

	XPND	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	2.11	-0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.42	3.25	-0.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.37	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.86	5.56	-3.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.46	13.56	-8.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XPND vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XPND Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is comparable to the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XPND 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

	XPND	FDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.81	2.11	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.88	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.66	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.45	+0.23

Drawdowns

XPND vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XPND drawdown since its inception was -38.00%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XPND and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	XPND	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.00%	-65.93%	+27.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.38%	-4.27%	-13.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.37%	-12.24%	-11.13%
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	-0.83%	-2.18%	+1.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.07%	-9.66%	-0.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.90%	1.75%	+4.15%

Volatility

XPND vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Expanded Technology ETF (XPND) has a higher volatility of 4.57% compared to First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) at 2.85%. This indicates that XPND'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

	XPND	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.57%	2.85%	+1.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.02%	7.87%	+6.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.86%	11.28%	+6.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.88%	14.31%	+9.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.88%	17.11%	+6.77%

XPND vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

XPND has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

XPND vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

XPND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.09%, 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%
XPND First Trust Expanded Technology ETF	0.09%	0.08%	0.12%	0.18%	0.34%	0.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XPND and FDL in my portfolio?

XPND and FDL have a correlation of -0.00, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XPND or FDL?

XPND has higher volatility (4.57%) compared to FDL (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XPND dropped -38.00% vs FDL's -65.93%.

Which ETF is better, XPND or FDL?

On 3-year performance, XPND leads with 28.18% vs 18.97% for FDL. 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, XPND or FDL?

Over the 3-year period, XPND has performed better with a 28.18% return vs 18.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XPND or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for XPND.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.68%, compared with 0.09% for XPND.

What is the main difference between XPND and FDL?

XPND is categorized as Technology Equities, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for XPND and 0.45% for FDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.81), 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.