EKG vs. UGA

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

EKG (First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF) and UGA (United States Gasoline Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - EKG is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ Lux Health Tech Index, while UGA is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Unleaded Gasoline. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, EKG returned -0.25%/yr vs 18.95%/yr for UGA. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EKG charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for UGA.

Performance

EKG vs. UGA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF (EKG) and United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EKG achieves a -7.35% return, which is significantly lower than UGA's 64.09% return.

EKG

• 1D: 1.44%
• 1M: 5.58%
• YTD: -7.35%
• 6M: -8.68%
• 1Y: 2.67%
• 3Y*: -0.25%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

UGA

• 1D: -1.12%
• 1M: -12.11%
• YTD: 64.09%
• 6M: 60.42%
• 1Y: 59.74%
• 3Y*: 18.95%
• 5Y*: 22.69%
• 10Y*: 14.31%

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

EKG vs. UGA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
EKG First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF	-7.35%	11.89%	6.53%	-0.11%	-20.15%
UGA United States Gasoline Fund LP	64.09%	-2.00%	3.77%	1.27%	2.58%

Correlation

The correlation between EKG and UGA is -0.25, 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	-0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.05
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2022	0.02

The correlation between EKG and UGA shifts across timeframes, from -0.25 (1 year) to 0.02 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

EKG vs. UGA — Risk / Return Rank

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

EKG

EKG Risk / Return Rank: 10
EKG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
EKG Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
EKG Omega Ratio Rank: 10
EKG Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
EKG Martin Ratio Rank: 10

UGA

UGA Risk / Return Rank: 55
UGA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
UGA Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
UGA Omega Ratio Rank: 49
UGA Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
UGA Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

EKG vs. UGA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF (EKG) and United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA). 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.

	EKG	UGA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.12	1.73	-1.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.33	2.25	-1.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.30	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.12	3.17	-3.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.26	9.39	-9.13

EKG vs. UGA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EKG Sharpe Ratio is 0.12, which is lower than the UGA Sharpe Ratio of 1.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EKG and UGA, 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

EKG vs. UGA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EKG drawdown since its inception was -43.82%, smaller than the maximum UGA drawdown of -86.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EKG and UGA.

Drawdown Indicators

	EKG	UGA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.82%	-86.59%	+42.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.09%	-18.96%	-3.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.49%	-26.68%	-7.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-38.11%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-75.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-18.36%	-18.05%	-0.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.59%	-36.69%	+14.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.17%	6.43%	+3.74%

Volatility

EKG vs. UGA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF (EKG) is 8.01%, while United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA) has a volatility of 9.24%. This indicates that EKG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UGA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EKG	UGA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.01%	9.24%	-1.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.55%	30.57%	-13.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.29%	35.22%	-12.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.08%	34.45%	-7.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.08%	37.22%	-10.14%

EKG vs. UGA - Expense Ratio Comparison

EKG has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than UGA's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

EKG vs. UGA - Dividend Comparison

Neither EKG nor UGA has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EKG and UGA in my portfolio?

EKG and UGA have a correlation of -0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EKG or UGA?

UGA has higher volatility (9.24%) compared to EKG (8.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EKG dropped -43.82% vs UGA's -86.59%.

Which ETF is better, EKG or UGA?

On 3-year performance, UGA leads with 18.95% vs -0.25% for EKG. On fees, EKG is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, EKG has been the lower-risk option at 8.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EKG or UGA?

Over the 3-year period, UGA has performed better with a 18.95% return vs -0.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EKG or UGA?

EKG is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for UGA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EKG or UGA?

EKG and UGA have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between EKG and UGA?

EKG is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while UGA is Oil & Gas. EKG tracks NASDAQ Lux Health Tech Index, while UGA tracks Front Month Unleaded Gasoline. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Concierge Technologies. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for EKG and 0.75% for UGA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UGA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.73 vs 0.12), 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.