BYLD vs. FTGC
BYLD (iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF) and FTGC (First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - BYLD is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund tracking the Morningstar U.S. Bond Market Yield-Optimized Index, while FTGC is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. BYLD is passively managed, while FTGC is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, BYLD returned 2.96%/yr vs 7.28%/yr for FTGC. At a 0.07 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BYLD charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FTGC.
Performance
BYLD vs. FTGC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BYLD achieves a 1.46% return, which is significantly lower than FTGC's 20.23% return. Over the past 10 years, BYLD has underperformed FTGC with an annualized return of 2.96%, while FTGC has yielded a comparatively higher 7.28% annualized return.
BYLD
- 1D
- -0.18%
- 1M
- 0.84%
- YTD
- 1.46%
- 6M
- 1.62%
- 1Y
- 6.36%
- 3Y*
- 6.52%
- 5Y*
- 2.23%
- 10Y*
- 2.96%
FTGC
- 1D
- -0.24%
- 1M
- -6.30%
- YTD
- 20.23%
- 6M
- 20.44%
- 1Y
- 26.86%
- 3Y*
- 14.70%
- 5Y*
- 12.56%
- 10Y*
- 7.28%
BYLD vs. FTGC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BYLD iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF | 1.46% | 8.41% | 4.17% | 8.30% | -10.33% | -1.25% | 4.25% | 12.79% | -1.50% | 4.75% |
FTGC First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund | 20.23% | 14.61% | 9.96% | -5.36% | 17.36% | 27.95% | 2.17% | 6.40% | -12.75% | 2.73% |
Correlation
The correlation between BYLD and FTGC is -0.26, 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 | -0.26 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.05 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.01 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.06 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 24, 2014 | 0.07 |
The correlation between BYLD and FTGC shifts across timeframes, from -0.26 (1 year) to 0.07 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BYLD vs. FTGC — Risk / Return Rank
BYLD
FTGC
BYLD vs. FTGC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF (BYLD) and First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC). 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.
| BYLD | FTGC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.06 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.14 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.31 | 1.31 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.35 | 2.74 | -0.39 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.51 | 9.43 | +0.08 |
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Drawdowns
BYLD vs. FTGC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BYLD drawdown since its inception was -14.75%, smaller than the maximum FTGC drawdown of -59.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BYLD and FTGC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BYLD | FTGC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -14.75% | -59.47% | +44.72% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.71% | -9.84% | +7.13% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -3.94% | -10.39% | +6.45% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -14.65% | -22.64% | +7.99% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -14.75% | -35.91% | +21.16% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.18% | -9.84% | +9.66% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.50% | -27.34% | +24.84% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.67% | 2.98% | -2.31% |
Volatility
BYLD vs. FTGC - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF (BYLD) is 1.13%, while First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) has a volatility of 2.99%. This indicates that BYLD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTGC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BYLD | FTGC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.13% | 2.99% | -1.86% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.06% | 13.17% | -10.11% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.85% | 15.69% | -11.84% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.21% | 15.86% | -10.65% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.43% | 14.71% | -9.28% |
BYLD vs. FTGC - Expense Ratio Comparison
BYLD has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than FTGC's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
BYLD vs. FTGC - Dividend Comparison
BYLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.35%, less than FTGC's 15.95% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BYLD iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF | 5.35% | 5.32% | 5.31% | 4.45% | 3.39% | 2.18% | 3.41% | 3.67% | 4.22% | 3.22% | 3.14% | 3.37% |
FTGC First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund | 15.95% | 17.74% | 3.05% | 3.34% | 10.35% | 7.21% | 0.00% | 0.81% | 0.80% | 1.21% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BYLD and FTGC have a correlation of -0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FTGC has higher volatility (2.99%) compared to BYLD (1.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BYLD dropped -14.75% vs FTGC's -59.47%.
On 10-year performance, FTGC leads with 7.28% vs 2.96% for BYLD. On fees, BYLD is cheaper at 0.17% per year. On volatility, BYLD has been the lower-risk option at 1.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, FTGC has performed better with a 7.28% return vs 2.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BYLD is cheaper with a 0.17% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FTGC.
FTGC has the higher dividend yield at 15.95%, compared with 5.35% for BYLD.
BYLD is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while FTGC is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.17% for BYLD and 0.95% for FTGC.
FTGC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.72 vs 1.66), 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.
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