First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG) belongs to the Energy Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with FCG. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to FCG
FCG charges 0.60% annually. There are 33 ETFs in the Energy Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.08%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF | 0.08% | 36.33B | Dec 1998 | FCG vs XLE | |
| Fidelity MSCI Energy Index ETF | 0.08% | 1.75B | Oct 2013 | FCG vs FENY | |
| Vanguard Energy ETF | 0.09% | 11.80B | Sep 2004 | FCG vs VDE | |
| Portfolio Building Block Integrated Oil & Gas and ... | 0.13% | 408.55M | Nov 2025 | FCG vs PBOG | |
| Global X PureCap MSCI Energy ETF | 0.15% | — | Jul 2025 | FCG vs GXPE |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to FCG
FCG has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 23. There are 46 ETFs in the Energy Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 91.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Energy Income Partners Strategy ETF | 91 | 540.66M | Nov 2022 | FCG vs EIPX | |
| VanEck Oil Refiners ETF | 91 | 164.75M | Aug 2015 | FCG vs CRAK | |
| Amplify Samsung U.S. Natural Gas Infrastructure ET... | 90 | 7.18M | May 2025 | FCG vs USNG | |
| Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF | 88 | 65.49M | Oct 2005 | FCG vs PXJ | |
| Bastion Energy ETF | 87 | — | Jun 2025 | FCG vs BESF |
Top Performing FCG Alternatives (YTD)
FCG is at 18.86% YTD. There are 41 ETFs in the Energy Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 42.99%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF | 42.99% | 65.49M | Oct 2005 | FCG vs PXJ | |
| WEBs Energy XLE Defined Volatility ETF | 42.13% | — | Jul 2025 | FCG vs DVXE | |
| VistaShares Electrification Supercycle ETF | 41.57% | 64.26M | Oct 2025 | FCG vs POW | |
| VanEck Oil Refiners ETF | 40.46% | 164.75M | Aug 2015 | FCG vs CRAK | |
| SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Equipment & Services ETF | 40.28% | 382.22M | Jun 2006 | FCG vs XES |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to FCG
FCG has 27.24% 1-year volatility. There are 48 ETFs in the Energy Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 10.98%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macquarie Global Listed Infrastructure ETF | 10.98% | 6.30M | Nov 2023 | FCG vs BILD | |
| FT Energy Income Partners Strategy ETF | 11.43% | 540.66M | Nov 2022 | FCG vs EIPX | |
| Bny Mellon Global Infrastructure Income ETF | 11.74% | 1.14B | Nov 2022 | FCG vs BKGI | |
| Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF | 12.79% | 152.76M | Apr 2024 | FCG vs MDST | |
| NEOS MLP & Energy Infrastructure High Income ETF | 13.31% | 746.33M | Dec 2025 | FCG vs MLPI |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to FCG
FCG has a 1-year max drawdown of -19.67%. There are 43 ETFs in the Energy Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -5.17%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Energy Income Partners Strategy ETF | -5.17% | 540.66M | Nov 2022 | FCG vs EIPX | |
| Macquarie Global Listed Infrastructure ETF | -6.05% | 6.30M | Nov 2023 | FCG vs BILD | |
| Bny Mellon Global Infrastructure Income ETF | -6.16% | 1.14B | Nov 2022 | FCG vs BKGI | |
| Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF | -6.74% | 152.76M | Apr 2024 | FCG vs MDST | |
| Amplify Samsung U.S. Natural Gas Infrastructure ET... | -6.82% | 7.18M | May 2025 | FCG vs USNG |
Other ETFs from First Trust
The 10 most viewed First Trust ETFs shown here include CIBR, GRID, AIRR and span 14 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $14B.
Often Compared With FCG
Investors most often compare FCG with UNG, UNL, IEO. These 20 comparison targets span 9 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare FCG with Any Fund or Stock
Compare FCG with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair FCG with funds that move differently
First Trust Natural Gas ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to FCG.
Explore FCG Diversifiers