FVD ETF — First Trust Value Line Dividend Index Fund

First Trust Value Line Dividend Index Fund (FVD)

FVD is an ETF that tracks the First Trust Value Line Dividend Index. As of August 19, 2026, its distribution rate is 2.30%, its trailing-12-month yield is 2.21%, its expense ratio is 0.62%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 97/100 (Safe). Fund total return is 705.5% over the past 23 years, 362.0 points behind SPY at 1067.5%.

At the current 2.30% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $230 per year, or $19.17 per month on an equivalent basis. Actual quarterly payments vary.

First Trust Value Line Dividend Index Fund is an ETF that tracks an index of securities ranked highest for safety by Value Line's proprietary system and expected to deliver above-average dividend yields. The fund distributes quarterly with a modest current distribution rate and carries an expense ratio of 0.62%. It appeals to dividend-focused investors seeking exposure to financially stable, dividend-paying equities.

FVD performance versus SPY

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Fund total return is 705.5% over the past 23 years, 362.0 points behind SPY at 1067.5%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 7.2%.

FVD key facts

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Distribution Safety Score™

97 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

2.23%

Issuer

First Trust

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

08/19/2003

Expense ratio

0.62%

Distribution rate

2.30%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

2.21%

Last close

$50.61

AUM

$8,335,541,168

Average volume

407561.0

Last dividend

$0.2910

Ex-dividend date

06/25/2026

Payment date

06/30/2026

Beta

0.48

P/E ratio

18.4367

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (2.30%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (2.21%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. We show a 30-day SEC yield when the fund publishes one. Schwab and other issuers may report a TTM distribution yield or SEC yield on a different date — all can be valid; they are not interchangeable. Fund total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is what the fund did, not your personal gain/loss. Figures below use Dividend Vision data as of August 19, 2026.

Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology · SEC yield

Sources and review

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Primary sources: First Trust fund page; Index: First Trust Value Line Dividend Index; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

FVD risks and drawbacks

FVD's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are quarterly, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 7.2%.

Who may consider FVD — and who may not

FVD may suit someone looking for a high Distribution Safety Score, moderate current income with a quality tilt. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (FVD pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

Compare FVD

FVD vs similar funds:

• FVD vs SCHD

Frequently asked questions

More funds from First Trust.