Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: DIVG is ratedTier 1 (Cornerstone)while FDL is ratedTier 3 (Specialty).DIVG is structurally lower risk than FDL.
| Metric | DIVG | FDL |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 9.45% | 11.23% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 6.23% | 6.63% |
| Max Drawdown | -18.29% | 0.00% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
DIVG (Invesco Dividend Growth) is a conservative dividend growth fund managed by Invesco. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $9.1M in assets under management, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Focuses on quality dividend-paying companies with strong balance sheets and consistent payout histories.
FDL (First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund) is a sector-specific income fund managed by First Trust. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $6.1B in assets under management, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Concentrates on sector-specific opportunities, typically REITs, MLPs, or BDCs with higher baseline yields.
In the head-to-head battle of DIVG vs FDL, the choice depends on your specific goal. FDL wins for Immediate Income with a 4.60% yield. However, FDL is the better choice for Long-Term Growth due to superior total return performance.
Which fund is safer for retirement income? We analyze the yield sustainability and structural risk.
The Bottom Line Question: If you invest $100,000 today, how much cash will you actually receive each month? Here's the exact math:
DIVG
Annual Yield: 3.22%
$268/mo
($3,217/year)
Frequency: monthly
FDL
Annual Yield: 4.60%
$383/mo
($4,598/year)
Frequency: quarterly
Income Gap: FDL generates $1,381/year more than DIVG on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $27,612 in additional cash flow (before reinvestment).
Context Matters: Higher income doesn't always mean better investment. Review the "Yield Trap" and "Total Return" sections above—you want income that's sustainable, not just headline-grabbing.
Historical data reveals how these funds behave during market stress. FDL has delivered a superior Total Return of 11.23% over the past year.
Every investor has a unique risk profile. Use our Portfolio Intelligence tool to see the impact of adding these ETFs to your holdings.