FCAL vs. IGLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FCAL (First Trust California Municipal High Income ETF) and IGLD (FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FCAL is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust, while IGLD is a Precious Metals fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, FCAL returned 0.81%/yr vs 13.02%/yr for IGLD. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FCAL charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for IGLD.

Performance

FCAL vs. IGLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust California Municipal High Income ETF (FCAL) 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, FCAL achieves a 1.89% return, which is significantly higher than IGLD's 1.69% return.

FCAL

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.78%
• YTD: 1.89%
• 6M: 2.30%
• 1Y: 7.09%
• 3Y*: 3.78%
• 5Y*: 0.81%
• 10Y*: —

IGLD

• 1D: -0.81%
• 1M: -1.33%
• YTD: 1.69%
• 6M: 4.44%
• 1Y: 24.53%
• 3Y*: 23.01%
• 5Y*: 13.02%
• 10Y*: —

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

FCAL vs. IGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FCAL First Trust California Municipal High Income ETF	1.89%	3.19%	1.90%	6.08%	-9.50%	3.79%
IGLD FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	1.69%	47.46%	19.36%	9.24%	-2.34%	4.30%

Correlation

The correlation between FCAL and IGLD is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 4, 2021	0.17

Return for Risk

FCAL vs. IGLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

FCAL

FCAL Risk / Return Rank: 74
FCAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
FCAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
FCAL Omega Ratio Rank: 90
FCAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
FCAL Martin Ratio Rank: 59

IGLD

IGLD Risk / Return Rank: 28
IGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
IGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
IGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 32
IGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
IGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

FCAL vs. IGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust California Municipal High Income ETF (FCAL) 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.

	FCAL	IGLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.62	1.06	+1.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.90	1.47	+2.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.22	+0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.76	1.40	+1.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.35	3.82	+6.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FCAL vs. IGLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FCAL Sharpe Ratio is 2.62, which is higher than the IGLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FCAL and IGLD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FCAL	IGLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.62	1.06	+1.56
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19	0.86	-0.67
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.94	-0.44

Drawdowns

FCAL vs. IGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCAL drawdown since its inception was -14.81%, smaller than the maximum IGLD drawdown of -18.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCAL and IGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCAL	IGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.81%	-18.59%	+3.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.57%	-17.56%	+14.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.46%	-17.56%	+12.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.44%	-18.59%	+4.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.24%	-15.16%	+14.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.35%	-5.24%	+1.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.69%	6.43%	-5.74%

Volatility

FCAL vs. IGLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust California Municipal High Income ETF (FCAL) is 0.96%, while FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) has a volatility of 5.12%. This indicates that FCAL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IGLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FCAL	IGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.96%	5.12%	-4.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.12%	21.01%	-18.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.72%	23.24%	-20.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.26%	15.17%	-10.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.25%	15.00%	-9.75%

FCAL vs. IGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

FCAL has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than IGLD's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

FCAL vs. IGLD - Dividend Comparison

FCAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.32%, less than IGLD's 17.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FCAL First Trust California Municipal High Income ETF	3.32%	3.22%	2.99%	2.74%	2.38%	2.03%	2.11%	2.68%	2.99%	1.30%
IGLD FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	17.92%	9.91%	20.81%	7.85%	4.45%	2.24%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FCAL and IGLD in my portfolio?

FCAL and IGLD have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FCAL or IGLD?

IGLD has higher volatility (5.12%) compared to FCAL (0.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FCAL dropped -14.81% vs IGLD's -18.59%.

Which ETF is better, FCAL or IGLD?

On 5-year performance, IGLD leads with 13.02% vs 0.81% for FCAL. On fees, FCAL is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, FCAL has been the lower-risk option at 0.96%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FCAL or IGLD?

Over the 5-year period, IGLD has performed better with a 13.02% return vs 0.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FCAL or IGLD?

FCAL is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for IGLD.

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

IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 17.92%, compared with 3.32% for FCAL.

What is the main difference between FCAL and IGLD?

FCAL is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while IGLD is Precious Metals. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for FCAL and 0.85% for IGLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FCAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.62 vs 1.06), 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.