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- Upturn Summary
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Upturn AI Summary
First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund(FDL)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for FDL
11/06/2026: FDL (2-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
FDL is a smart-beta ETF that provides targeted exposure to high-quality U.S. companies with sustainable dividend payments, selected via the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. Its primary strength lies in its disciplined methodology, which effectively screens for dividend reliability and avoids risky 'yield traps.' The fund serves as an excellent core holding for dividend-focused income investors looking for defensive exposure, though it may underperform in periods dominated by high-growth, non-dividend-paying stocks. Potential investors should monitor the fund’s sector concentrations in Utilities and Financials, as these are highly sensitive to interest rate and economic cycles. FDL remains a solid choice for those prioritizing income and quality over aggressive capital appreciation.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
ETF holdings, costs, diversification, valuation, risks, and market conditions provide supporting context about the fund.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Weak fit | FDL focuses on yield and value, generally offering lower capital appreciation potential than growth-oriented ETFs. |
| Momentum investor | Mixed fit | FDL is not a momentum-based product, but it can perform well when its value-heavy sectors experience cyclical upturns. |
| Value investor | Strong fit | The fund's underlying methodology explicitly targets undervalued, high-quality companies with reliable dividend histories. |
| Dividend/Income investor | Strong fit | FDL is specifically designed to provide a sustainable and attractive income stream for dividend-focused portfolios. |
| Low-risk investor | Medium | While dividend stocks are generally more defensive, FDL still carries equity market risk and sector concentration volatility. |
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
The ideal investor for FDL is an income-oriented individual seeking reliable cash flows and defensive equity exposure.
Suitability
FDL is best suited for long-term investors looking for consistent dividend income rather than short-term speculators.
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility | Medium | The fund's sector concentration can lead to price fluctuations during shifting economic cycles. |
| Market risk | Medium / high | As an equity-based fund, it remains vulnerable to broad market downturns. |
| Concentration | Medium / high | Heavy weighting in sectors like Utilities and Financials increases exposure to sector-specific regulatory or economic events. |
| Tracking/expense | Low | FDL manages a low tracking error relative to its benchmark, though its expense ratio is higher than some passive competitors. |
| Liquidity | Low | High trading volume ensures that liquidity risks remain minimal for most investors. |
| Business/sector quality | Low | The Morningstar screening process actively mitigates the risk of low-quality company inclusion. |
Risk Analysis
Volatility
FDL typically exhibits lower volatility than the S&P 500 due to its defensive sector tilt, though it remains subject to market risk.
Market Risk
The fund is sensitive to macroeconomic factors impacting U.S. large-cap equities and specific interest rate environments.
What the ETF Owns
| Exposure Type | Exposure | Weight (%) | Retail Investor Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sector | Utilities | 22 | Utilities provide stable, recurring income and defensive characteristics suitable for dividend-focused portfolios. |
| Sector | Financials | 20 | Financial sector holdings offer exposure to banks and insurance companies that often provide robust dividend distributions. |
| Sector | Energy | 18 | Energy sector investments provide inflation hedging and high dividend yields often tied to commodity price cycles. |
| Sector | Consumer Staples | 15 | Consumer staples offer lower volatility and consistent dividend growth regardless of economic cycles. |
| Sector | Other Sectors / Cash | 25 | Diversification across additional sectors balances the portfolio and manages concentration risk. |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit 19.75% | Avg. Invested days 52 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  3.0 | ETF Returns Performance  3.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 11/06/2026 |
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