ESBG vs. IGLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ESBG (First Trust Enhanced Stocks, Bonds & Gold ETF) and IGLD (FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESBG is a Tactical Allocation fund actively managed by First Trust, while IGLD is a Precious Metals fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ESBG charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for IGLD.

Performance

ESBG vs. IGLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Enhanced Stocks, Bonds & Gold ETF (ESBG) and FT Cboe 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, ESBG achieves a 5.13% return, which is significantly higher than IGLD's 2.52% return.

ESBG

• 1D: -1.16%
• 1M: 1.36%
• YTD: 5.13%
• 6M: 6.51%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IGLD

• 1D: 0.82%
• 1M: -0.97%
• YTD: 2.52%
• 6M: 5.30%
• 1Y: 25.16%
• 3Y*: 23.03%
• 5Y*: 13.20%
• 10Y*: —

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

ESBG vs. IGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ESBG First Trust Enhanced Stocks, Bonds & Gold ETF	5.13%	5.72%
IGLD FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	2.52%	4.91%

Correlation

The correlation between ESBG and IGLD is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 20, 2025	0.88

Return for Risk

ESBG vs. IGLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

IGLD

IGLD Risk / Return Rank: 30
IGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
IGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
IGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 35
IGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
IGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

ESBG vs. IGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Enhanced Stocks, Bonds & Gold ETF (ESBG) and FT Cboe 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.

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

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ESBG	IGLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.09	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	0.95	-0.07

Drawdowns

ESBG vs. IGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESBG drawdown since its inception was -18.84%, roughly equal to the maximum IGLD drawdown of -18.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESBG and IGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESBG	IGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.84%	-18.59%	-0.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-17.56%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-17.56%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-18.59%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.85%	-14.46%	+3.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.24%	-5.25%	-0.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	6.49%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ESBG	IGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	5.17%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	21.01%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.27%	23.24%	+2.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.27%	15.17%	+10.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.27%	15.00%	+10.27%

ESBG vs. IGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESBG has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than IGLD's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESBG vs. IGLD - Dividend Comparison

ESBG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.58%, less than IGLD's 17.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
ESBG First Trust Enhanced Stocks, Bonds & Gold ETF	0.58%	0.24%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IGLD FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	17.77%	9.91%	20.81%	7.85%	4.45%	2.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESBG and IGLD in my portfolio?

ESBG and IGLD have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ESBG or IGLD?

On fees, IGLD is cheaper at 0.85% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESBG or IGLD?

IGLD is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for ESBG.

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

IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 17.77%, compared with 0.58% for ESBG.

What is the main difference between ESBG and IGLD?

ESBG is categorized as Tactical Allocation, while IGLD is Precious Metals. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for ESBG and 0.85% for IGLD.