XPND vs. HDV

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

XPND (First Trust Expanded Technology ETF) and HDV (iShares Core High Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XPND is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by First Trust, while HDV is a Dividend fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Yield Focus Index. XPND is actively managed, while HDV is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XPND returned 13.58%/yr vs 11.37%/yr for HDV. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XPND charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for HDV.

Performance

XPND vs. HDV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Expanded Technology ETF (XPND) and iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XPND achieves a 9.57% return, which is significantly lower than HDV's 16.32% return.

XPND

• 1D: -2.04%
• 1M: -2.03%
• 6M: 8.04%
• YTD: 9.57%
• 1Y: 19.22%
• 3Y*: 22.83%
• 5Y*: 13.58%
• 10Y*: —

HDV

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: 0.89%
• 6M: 14.11%
• YTD: 16.32%
• 1Y: 20.23%
• 3Y*: 15.49%
• 5Y*: 11.37%
• 10Y*: 9.07%

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

XPND vs. HDV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
XPND First Trust Expanded Technology ETF	9.57%	18.82%	29.61%	46.13%	-29.66%	15.05%
HDV iShares Core High Dividend ETF	16.32%	11.90%	14.16%	1.72%	7.05%	5.02%

Correlation

The correlation between XPND and HDV is -0.16, 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 (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.16
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.08
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 15, 2021	0.31

The correlation between XPND and HDV shifts across timeframes, from -0.16 (1 year) to 0.31 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XPND vs. HDV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XPND	HDV
Technology	74.6%	0.2%
Communication Services	17.7%	5.2%
Financial Services	7.7%	4.8%
Basic Materials	-	0.8%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	24.5%
Energy	-	19.6%
Healthcare	-	23.7%
Industrials	-	3.6%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	8.2%

Return for Risk

XPND vs. HDV — Risk / Return Rank

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

XPND

XPND Risk / Return Rank: 29
XPND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
XPND Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
XPND Omega Ratio Rank: 30
XPND Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
XPND Martin Ratio Rank: 28

HDV

HDV Risk / Return Rank: 78
HDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
HDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
HDV Omega Ratio Rank: 71
HDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
HDV Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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. HDV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Expanded Technology ETF (XPND) and iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV). 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.

	XPND	HDV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.92	1.95	-1.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.33	2.90	-1.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.33	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.11	3.92	-2.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.14	10.74	-7.59

XPND vs. HDV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XPND Sharpe Ratio is 0.92, which is lower than the HDV Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XPND and HDV, 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

XPND vs. HDV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XPND drawdown since its inception was -38.00%, roughly equal to the maximum HDV drawdown of -37.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XPND and HDV.

Drawdown Indicators

	XPND	HDV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.00%	-37.04%	-0.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.38%	-5.18%	-12.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.37%	-10.49%	-12.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.00%	-15.42%	-22.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-37.04%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.59%	-0.57%	-6.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.96%	-3.07%	-6.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.13%	1.89%	+4.24%

Volatility

XPND vs. HDV - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Expanded Technology ETF (XPND) has a higher volatility of 10.23% compared to iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) at 4.56%. This indicates that XPND's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HDV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XPND	HDV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.23%	4.56%	+5.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.72%	8.27%	+9.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.91%	10.46%	+10.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.33%	12.89%	+11.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.19%	15.75%	+8.44%

XPND vs. HDV - Expense Ratio Comparison

XPND has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than HDV's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

XPND vs. HDV - Dividend Comparison

XPND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.08%, less than HDV's 2.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HDV iShares Core High Dividend ETF	2.84%	3.22%	3.67%	3.82%	3.56%	3.47%	4.07%	3.27%	3.67%	3.27%	3.28%	3.92%
XPND First Trust Expanded Technology ETF	0.08%	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 HDV in my portfolio?

XPND and HDV have a correlation of -0.16, 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 HDV?

XPND has higher volatility (10.23%) compared to HDV (4.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XPND dropped -38.00% vs HDV's -37.04%.

Which ETF is better, XPND or HDV?

On 5-year performance, XPND leads with 13.58% vs 11.37% for HDV. On fees, HDV is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, HDV has been the lower-risk option at 4.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XPND or HDV?

Over the 5-year period, XPND has performed better with a 13.58% return vs 11.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XPND or HDV?

HDV is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for XPND.

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

HDV has the higher dividend yield at 2.84%, compared with 0.08% for XPND.

What is the main difference between XPND and HDV?

XPND is categorized as Technology Equities, while HDV is Dividend. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for XPND and 0.08% for HDV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HDV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 0.92), 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.