VS
iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF (XDU) and First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders ETF (FDL) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that XDU focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Healthcare, Consumer Non-Cyclicals, and Industrials, while FDL leans towards Energy, Consumer Non-Cyclicals, and Finance. When evaluating costs, XDU features a management fee (MER) of 0.14%, compared to 0.15% for FDL. Performance-wise, XDU has returned 15.7% year-to-date with +$23 M in net flows, whereas FDL is at 15.77% with +$0 M. Use the comparison tool below to benchmark these funds across top 10 holdings, yield, sector weights and historical returns.
NAV Performance and Flows
Key Data
Compare
XDU
FDL
| AuM | $293.11 M | $11.91 M |
| Management Fees | 0.14% | 0.15% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.16% | 0.59% |
| Tracking Difference | - | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of July 17, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XDU | +2.28% | +8.25% | +15.70% | +21.63% | +57.06% |
FDL | +3.94% | +3.04% | +15.77% | +21.25% | +57.66% | |
| Flows | XDU | -$5 M | -$0 M | +$23 M | +$32 M | +$16 M |
FDL | -$0 M | -$0 M | +$0 M | +$0 M | -$3 M |
XDU vs FDL exposure
Countries
XDU
USA
95.70%
FDL
USA
98.00%
Sectors
XDU
Healthcare
18.09%
Consumer Non-Cyclicals
14.25%
Industrials
13.70%
Technology
13.32%
Energy
10.91%
Finance
9.23%
Other
20.50%
FDL
Energy
26.34%
Consumer Non-Cyclicals
16.78%
Finance
14.86%
Healthcare
14.56%
Telecommunications
9.73%
Other
17.73%
As of July 17, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XDU
Exxon Mobil Corp.
4.41%
Johnson & Johnson
4.24%
Cisco Systems, Inc.
3.71%
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.
2.69%
Chevron Corp.
2.63%
Procter & Gamble Co.
2.60%
The Home Depot, Inc.
2.46%
The Coca-Cola Co.
2.39%
Merck & Co., Inc.
2.29%
International Business Machines Corp.
2.18%
FDL
Exxon Mobil Corp.
10.02%
Chevron Corp.
8.43%
Verizon Communications, Inc.
7.20%
Pfizer Inc.
6.09%
Merck & Co., Inc.
5.43%
Altria Group, Inc.
4.77%
PepsiCo, Inc.
4.46%
United Parcel Service, Inc.
3.46%
Bristol Myers Squibb Co.
3.04%
ConocoPhillips
2.68%
Diversification
XDU
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 159 total
29.61%
FDL
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 85 total
55.58%
Characteristics
Compare
XDU
FDL
| Provider | iShares | First Trust |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | MSCI USA High Dividend Yield Index - USD | Morningstar Dividend Leaders Total Return Index - USD |
| Replication Method | ||
| Asset Class | Equity | Equity |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 2.19% | 3.23% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | June 7, 2017 | September 29, 2016 |
Frequently asked questions about XDU and FDL
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XDU or FDL?
As of July 17, 2026, XDU has returned 15.70% year to date, while FDL has returned 15.77%. FDL is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XDU or FDL?
As of July 17, 2026, XDU manages $293.11 M in assets, while FDL manages $11.91 M. XDU is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XDU and FDL managed?
XDU is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the MSCI USA High Dividend Yield Index - USD benchmark. FDL is passively managed by First Trust. It tracks the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Total Return Index - USD benchmark.
What sectors do XDU and FDL emphasize?
XDU is most exposed to Healthcare, Consumer Non-Cyclicals, and Industrials. FDL is most exposed to Energy, Consumer Non-Cyclicals, and Finance.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XDU or FDL?
Year to date, XDU has seen +$23.25 M in net flows, compared with +$0.39 M for FDL. XDU has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XDU and FDL compare?
XDU has an expense ratio of 0.16%, while FDL has an expense ratio of 0.59%.
What are the top holdings of XDU and FDL?
XDU's largest holdings include Exxon Mobil Corp., Johnson & Johnson, and Cisco Systems, Inc.. FDL's top holdings include Exxon Mobil Corp., Chevron Corp., and Verizon Communications, Inc..
Which ETF is more diversified: XDU or FDL?
XDU holds 159 securities, while FDL holds 85. On holdings count, XDU is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XDU and FDL
The ETF Market Canada is brought to you by Cboe in partnership with Trackinsight SA who is providing all the data, analysis and editorial content on this site. Unless explicitly stated as such, any information that you receive is not real-time.
All content on the ETF Market Canada is for your general information use only, Cboe is not responsible for any use of content by you outside this scope. In particular, the content does not constitute any form of advice, recommendation, representation, endorsement or arrangement by Cboe and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making (or refraining from making) any specific investment or other decisions.
All content on the ETF Market Canada is for your general information use only, Cboe is not responsible for any use of content by you outside this scope. In particular, the content does not constitute any form of advice, recommendation, representation, endorsement or arrangement by Cboe and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making (or refraining from making) any specific investment or other decisions.