FAD vs. IGLD
FAD (First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund) and IGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FAD is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Multi Cap Growth Index, while IGLD is a Gold fund actively managed by First Trust. FAD is passively managed, while IGLD is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, FAD returned 10.64%/yr vs 12.76%/yr for IGLD. At a 0.16 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FAD charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for IGLD.
Performance
FAD vs. IGLD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FAD achieves a 19.17% return, which is significantly higher than IGLD's -5.55% return.
FAD
- 1D
- -2.33%
- 1M
- 4.88%
- YTD
- 19.17%
- 6M
- 16.47%
- 1Y
- 35.51%
- 3Y*
- 24.43%
- 5Y*
- 10.64%
- 10Y*
- 14.94%
IGLD
- 1D
- -1.96%
- 1M
- -8.08%
- YTD
- -5.55%
- 6M
- -8.37%
- 1Y
- 14.83%
- 3Y*
- 20.33%
- 5Y*
- 12.76%
- 10Y*
- —
FAD vs. IGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAD First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund | 19.17% | 17.23% | 23.85% | 19.07% | -24.06% | 12.98% |
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | -5.55% | 47.46% | 19.36% | 9.24% | -2.34% | 4.30% |
Correlation
The correlation between FAD and IGLD is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.20 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.15 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2021 | 0.16 |
The correlation between FAD and IGLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.15 (5 years) to 0.28 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FAD vs. IGLD — Risk / Return Rank
FAD
IGLD
FAD vs. IGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FAD) 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.
| FAD | IGLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.21 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.55 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.31 | 1.14 | +0.18 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.35 | 0.68 | +2.67 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.74 | 1.94 | +10.80 |
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Drawdowns
FAD vs. IGLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FAD drawdown since its inception was -54.33%, which is greater than IGLD's maximum drawdown of -21.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAD and IGLD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FAD | IGLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -54.33% | -21.90% | -32.43% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.66% | -21.90% | +11.24% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -23.55% | -21.90% | -1.65% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -31.99% | -21.90% | -10.09% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -37.25% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.33% | -21.20% | +18.87% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.62% | -5.37% | -4.25% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.80% | 7.68% | -4.88% |
Volatility
FAD vs. IGLD - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FAD) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) have volatilities of 7.85% 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.
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Volatility by Period
| FAD | IGLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.85% | 8.14% | -0.29% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.44% | 22.34% | -6.90% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.65% | 24.40% | -4.75% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.75% | 15.48% | +5.27% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.29% | 15.30% | +5.99% |
FAD vs. IGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
FAD has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is lower than IGLD's 0.85% expense ratio.
Dividends
FAD vs. IGLD - Dividend Comparison
FAD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.09%, less than IGLD's 19.29% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAD First Trust Multi Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund | 0.09% | 0.09% | 0.59% | 0.51% | 0.60% | 0.09% | 0.32% | 0.48% | 0.20% | 0.22% | 0.64% | 0.41% |
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | 19.29% | 9.91% | 20.81% | 7.85% | 4.45% | 2.24% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FAD and IGLD have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IGLD has higher volatility (8.14%) compared to FAD (7.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAD dropped -54.33% vs IGLD's -21.90%.
On 5-year performance, IGLD leads with 12.76% vs 10.64% for FAD. On fees, FAD is cheaper at 0.63% per year. On volatility, FAD has been the lower-risk option at 7.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, IGLD has performed better with a 12.76% return vs 10.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FAD is cheaper with a 0.63% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for IGLD.
IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 19.29%, compared with 0.09% for FAD.
FAD is categorized as Mid Cap Growth Equities, while IGLD is Gold. Their fees differ too: 0.63% for FAD and 0.85% for IGLD.
FAD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 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.
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