AGQI vs. USOY

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

AGQI (First Trust Active Global Quality Income ETF) and USOY (Defiance Oil Enhanced Options Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AGQI is a Global Equities fund actively managed by First Trust, while USOY is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Defiance. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, AGQI returned 21.20% vs 28.90% for USOY. At a correlation of -0.06, they often move in opposite directions. AGQI charges 0.85%/yr vs 1.22%/yr for USOY.

Performance

AGQI vs. USOY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Active Global Quality Income ETF (AGQI) and Defiance Oil Enhanced Options Income ETF (USOY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AGQI achieves a 9.94% return, which is significantly lower than USOY's 32.73% return.

AGQI

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 9.94%
• 6M: 9.87%
• 1Y: 21.20%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

USOY

• 1D: 2.72%
• 1M: -16.67%
• YTD: 32.73%
• 6M: 31.77%
• 1Y: 28.90%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AGQI vs. USOY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AGQI First Trust Active Global Quality Income ETF	9.94%	26.67%	-3.60%
USOY Defiance Oil Enhanced Options Income ETF	32.73%	-7.93%	6.13%

Correlation

The correlation between AGQI and USOY is -0.19, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 10, 2024	-0.06

The correlation between AGQI and USOY shifts across timeframes, from -0.19 (1 year) to -0.06 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AGQI vs. USOY — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AGQI

AGQI Risk / Return Rank: 57
AGQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
AGQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
AGQI Omega Ratio Rank: 60
AGQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
AGQI Martin Ratio Rank: 54

USOY

USOY Risk / Return Rank: 29
USOY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
USOY Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
USOY Omega Ratio Rank: 30
USOY Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
USOY Martin Ratio Rank: 32

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AGQI vs. USOY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Active Global Quality Income ETF (AGQI) and Defiance Oil Enhanced Options Income ETF (USOY). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AGQI	USOY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.77	0.93	+0.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.40	1.34	+1.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.19	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.33	1.19	+1.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.27	4.29	+3.97

AGQI vs. USOY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AGQI Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is higher than the USOY Sharpe Ratio of 0.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AGQI and USOY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AGQI vs. USOY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AGQI drawdown since its inception was -14.07%, smaller than the maximum USOY drawdown of -24.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AGQI and USOY.

Drawdown Indicators

	AGQI	USOY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.07%	-24.40%	+10.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.15%	-24.40%	+15.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.72%	-22.34%	+20.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.15%	-6.70%	+4.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.57%	6.75%	-4.18%

Volatility

AGQI vs. USOY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Active Global Quality Income ETF (AGQI) is 4.11%, while Defiance Oil Enhanced Options Income ETF (USOY) has a volatility of 11.41%. This indicates that AGQI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than USOY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AGQI	USOY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.11%	11.41%	-7.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.01%	28.84%	-18.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.01%	31.19%	-19.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.66%	26.68%	-14.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.66%	26.68%	-14.02%

AGQI vs. USOY - Expense Ratio Comparison

AGQI has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than USOY's 1.22% expense ratio.

Dividends

AGQI vs. USOY - Dividend Comparison

AGQI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.63%, less than USOY's 70.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
AGQI First Trust Active Global Quality Income ETF	2.63%	2.54%	2.14%	0.14%
USOY Defiance Oil Enhanced Options Income ETF	70.91%	104.32%	48.60%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AGQI and USOY in my portfolio?

AGQI and USOY have a correlation of -0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AGQI or USOY?

USOY has higher volatility (11.41%) compared to AGQI (4.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AGQI dropped -14.07% vs USOY's -24.40%.

Which ETF is better, AGQI or USOY?

On 1-year performance, USOY leads with 28.90% vs 21.20% for AGQI. On fees, AGQI is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, AGQI has been the lower-risk option at 4.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AGQI or USOY?

Over the 1-year period, USOY has performed better with a 28.90% return vs 21.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AGQI or USOY?

AGQI is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 1.22% for USOY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AGQI or USOY?

USOY has the higher dividend yield at 70.91%, compared with 2.63% for AGQI.

What is the main difference between AGQI and USOY?

AGQI is categorized as Global Equities, while USOY is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for AGQI and 1.22% for USOY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AGQI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 0.93), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.