ZINC vs. FDL

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

ZINC (Zacks Income ETF) and FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - ZINC is a Dividend fund actively managed by Zacks, while FDL is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. ZINC is actively managed, while FDL is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ZINC charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for FDL.

Performance

ZINC vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Zacks Income ETF (ZINC) and First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

ZINC

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 1.96%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FDL

• 1D: 0.62%
• 1M: 0.61%
• 6M: 10.09%
• YTD: 14.84%
• 1Y: 22.74%
• 3Y*: 18.57%
• 5Y*: 13.56%
• 10Y*: 10.73%

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

ZINC vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
ZINC Zacks Income ETF	3.90%
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	1.49%

Correlation

The correlation between ZINC and FDL is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 2, 2026	0.81

Return for Risk

ZINC vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZINC

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

FDL

FDL Risk / Return Rank: 82
FDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
FDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
FDL Omega Ratio Rank: 72
FDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
FDL Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

ZINC vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Zacks Income ETF (ZINC) 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.

	ZINC	FDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.98	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	3.00	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.34	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	5.35	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	12.19	—

Drawdowns

ZINC vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZINC drawdown since its inception was -1.94%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZINC and FDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZINC	FDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.94%	-65.93%	+63.99%
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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.07%	-1.22%	+1.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.47%	-9.61%	+9.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.87%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ZINC	FDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.70%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	8.44%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.19%	11.68%	-1.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.19%	14.37%	-4.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.19%	17.12%	-6.93%

ZINC vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZINC has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZINC vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

ZINC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FDL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.69%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund	3.69%	4.04%	4.96%	4.58%	3.58%	4.59%	4.48%	3.75%	3.97%	3.18%	2.93%	3.65%
ZINC Zacks Income ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZINC and FDL in my portfolio?

ZINC and FDL have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ZINC or FDL?

On fees, FDL is cheaper at 0.43% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZINC or FDL?

FDL is cheaper with a 0.43% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ZINC.

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

FDL has the higher dividend yield at 3.69%, compared with 0.00% for ZINC.

What is the main difference between ZINC and FDL?

ZINC is categorized as Dividend, while FDL is Large Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: Zacks and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for ZINC and 0.43% for FDL.