DLFE vs. IGLD

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

DLFE (FT Vest U.S. Equity Dual Directional Buffer ETF - February) and IGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DLFE is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), while IGLD is a Gold fund actively managed by First Trust. DLFE is passively managed, while IGLD is actively managed. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

DLFE vs. IGLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Dual Directional Buffer ETF - February (DLFE) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

DLFE

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 1.43%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IGLD

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: -2.70%
• 6M: -8.97%
• YTD: -5.84%
• 1Y: 15.16%
• 3Y*: 20.01%
• 5Y*: 12.31%
• 10Y*: —

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

DLFE vs. IGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
DLFE FT Vest U.S. Equity Dual Directional Buffer ETF - February	5.28%
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	-18.18%

Correlation

The correlation between DLFE and IGLD is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 23, 2026	0.45

Return for Risk

DLFE vs. IGLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

DLFE

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

IGLD

IGLD Risk / Return Rank: 21
IGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
IGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
IGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 24
IGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
IGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

DLFE vs. IGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Dual Directional Buffer ETF - February (DLFE) 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.

	DLFE	IGLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	0.63	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	0.97	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.14	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	0.66	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	1.73	—

Drawdowns

DLFE vs. IGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DLFE drawdown since its inception was -5.03%, smaller than the maximum IGLD drawdown of -23.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DLFE and IGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	DLFE	IGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.03%	-23.84%	+18.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-23.84%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-23.84%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-23.84%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-21.44%	+21.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.84%	-5.52%	+4.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	9.06%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	DLFE	IGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	8.52%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	22.31%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.45%	24.75%	-17.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.45%	15.61%	-8.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.45%	15.38%	-7.93%

DLFE vs. IGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both DLFE and IGLD have an expense ratio of 0.85%.

Dividends

DLFE vs. IGLD - Dividend Comparison

DLFE has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 21.17%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DLFE FT Vest U.S. Equity Dual Directional Buffer ETF - February	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	21.17%	9.91%	20.81%	7.85%	4.45%	2.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DLFE and IGLD in my portfolio?

DLFE and IGLD have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, DLFE or IGLD?

Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, DLFE or IGLD?

DLFE and IGLD have the same expense ratio: 0.85% per year.

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

IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 21.17%, compared with 0.00% for DLFE.

What is the main difference between DLFE and IGLD?

DLFE is categorized as Defined Outcome, while IGLD is Gold.