BAR vs. IGLD

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BAR (GraniteShares Gold Trust) and IGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) are both Gold funds. BAR is passively managed, while IGLD is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, BAR returned 18.08%/yr vs 12.76%/yr for IGLD. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BAR charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for IGLD.

Performance

BAR vs. IGLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in GraniteShares Gold Trust (BAR) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BAR achieves a -4.82% return, which is significantly higher than IGLD's -5.55% return.

BAR

• 1D: -1.94%
• 1M: -8.92%
• YTD: -4.82%
• 6M: -8.73%
• 1Y: 21.40%
• 3Y*: 28.63%
• 5Y*: 18.08%
• 10Y*: —

IGLD

• 1D: -1.96%
• 1M: -8.08%
• YTD: -5.55%
• 6M: -8.37%
• 1Y: 14.83%
• 3Y*: 20.33%
• 5Y*: 12.76%
• 10Y*: —

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

BAR vs. IGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BAR GraniteShares Gold Trust	-4.82%	64.12%	26.97%	12.96%	-0.55%	5.40%
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	-5.55%	47.46%	19.36%	9.24%	-2.34%	4.30%

Correlation

The correlation between BAR and IGLD is 0.95 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2021	0.93

The correlation between BAR and IGLD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BAR vs. IGLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

BAR

BAR Risk / Return Rank: 22
BAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
BAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
BAR Omega Ratio Rank: 25
BAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
BAR Martin Ratio Rank: 21

IGLD

IGLD Risk / Return Rank: 18
IGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
IGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
IGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 20
IGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
IGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

BAR vs. IGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GraniteShares Gold Trust (BAR) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD). 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.

	BAR	IGLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.78	0.61	+0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.14	0.94	+0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.14	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.88	0.68	+0.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.37	1.94	+0.43

BAR vs. IGLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BAR Sharpe Ratio is 0.78, which is comparable to the IGLD Sharpe Ratio of 0.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BAR and IGLD, 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

BAR vs. IGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BAR drawdown since its inception was -24.38%, which is greater than IGLD's maximum drawdown of -21.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BAR and IGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	BAR	IGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.38%	-21.90%	-2.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.38%	-21.90%	-2.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.38%	-21.90%	-2.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.38%	-21.90%	-2.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-23.93%	-21.20%	-2.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.53%	-5.37%	-1.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.07%	7.68%	+1.39%

Volatility

BAR vs. IGLD - Volatility Comparison

GraniteShares Gold Trust (BAR) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) have volatilities of 8.11% and 8.14%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BAR	IGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.11%	8.14%	-0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.24%	22.34%	+1.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.39%	24.40%	+2.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.14%	15.48%	+2.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.54%	15.30%	+1.24%

BAR vs. IGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

BAR has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than IGLD's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

BAR vs. IGLD - Dividend Comparison

BAR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 19.29%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BAR GraniteShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	19.29%	9.91%	20.81%	7.85%	4.45%	2.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BAR and IGLD in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, BAR and IGLD move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, BAR or IGLD?

IGLD has higher volatility (8.14%) compared to BAR (8.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BAR dropped -24.38% vs IGLD's -21.90%.

Which ETF is better, BAR or IGLD?

On 5-year performance, BAR leads with 18.08% vs 12.76% for IGLD. On fees, BAR is cheaper at 0.17% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BAR or IGLD?

Over the 5-year period, BAR has performed better with a 18.08% return vs 12.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BAR or IGLD?

BAR is cheaper with a 0.17% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for IGLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BAR or IGLD?

IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 19.29%, compared with 0.00% for BAR.

What is the main difference between BAR and IGLD?

They also come from different issuers: GraniteShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.17% for BAR and 0.85% for IGLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.78 vs 0.61), 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.