FCG vs. BOIL
FCG (First Trust Natural Gas ETF) and BOIL (ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Natural Gas) are both exchange-traded funds - FCG is a Energy Equities fund tracking the ISE-Revere Natural Gas Index, while BOIL is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Bloomberg Natural Gas Subindex. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FCG returned 3.91%/yr vs -57.84%/yr for BOIL. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FCG charges 0.60%/yr vs 1.31%/yr for BOIL.
Performance
FCG vs. BOIL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FCG achieves a 17.54% return, which is significantly higher than BOIL's -41.05% return. Over the past 10 years, FCG has outperformed BOIL with an annualized return of 3.91%, while BOIL has yielded a comparatively lower -57.84% annualized return.
FCG
- 1D
- 0.26%
- 1M
- -9.72%
- YTD
- 17.54%
- 6M
- 17.54%
- 1Y
- 16.99%
- 3Y*
- 10.20%
- 5Y*
- 13.77%
- 10Y*
- 3.91%
BOIL
- 1D
- -4.80%
- 1M
- 5.97%
- YTD
- -41.05%
- 6M
- -46.24%
- 1Y
- -75.60%
- 3Y*
- -66.48%
- 5Y*
- -66.38%
- 10Y*
- -57.84%
FCG vs. BOIL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FCG First Trust Natural Gas ETF | 17.54% | -2.28% | 4.16% | 2.55% | 47.24% | 98.49% | -23.20% | -15.76% | -34.81% | -11.38% |
BOIL ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Natural Gas | -41.05% | -58.98% | -60.75% | -92.00% | -31.85% | 23.84% | -74.74% | -67.70% | -20.55% | -65.72% |
Correlation
The correlation between FCG and BOIL is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.30 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.25 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 6, 2011 | 0.25 |
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Return for Risk
FCG vs. BOIL — Risk / Return Rank
FCG
BOIL
FCG vs. BOIL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG) and ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Natural Gas (BOIL). 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.
| FCG | BOIL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.30 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.84 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.12 | 0.89 | +0.23 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.95 | -0.98 | +1.93 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.77 | -1.36 | +4.13 |
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Drawdowns
FCG vs. BOIL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FCG drawdown since its inception was -97.20%, roughly equal to the maximum BOIL drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCG and BOIL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FCG | BOIL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -97.20% | -100.00% | +2.80% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -17.90% | -77.43% | +59.53% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -29.44% | -96.86% | +67.42% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -33.33% | -99.91% | +66.58% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -85.04% | -99.99% | +14.95% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -76.30% | -100.00% | +23.70% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -65.39% | -93.59% | +28.20% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.16% | 56.83% | -50.67% |
Volatility
FCG vs. BOIL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG) is 9.31%, while ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Natural Gas (BOIL) has a volatility of 23.63%. This indicates that FCG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BOIL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FCG | BOIL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.31% | 23.63% | -14.32% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 20.32% | 104.46% | -84.14% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.29% | 113.44% | -86.15% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 33.43% | 118.97% | -85.54% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 38.29% | 101.84% | -63.55% |
FCG vs. BOIL - Expense Ratio Comparison
FCG has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than BOIL's 1.31% expense ratio.
Dividends
FCG vs. BOIL - Dividend Comparison
FCG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.33%, while BOIL has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BOIL ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Natural Gas | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
FCG First Trust Natural Gas ETF | 2.33% | 2.86% | 2.76% | 3.25% | 3.04% | 1.73% | 3.82% | 2.87% | 1.46% | 1.56% | 1.70% | 4.79% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FCG and BOIL have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
BOIL has higher volatility (23.63%) compared to FCG (9.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FCG dropped -97.20% vs BOIL's -100.00%.
On 10-year performance, FCG leads with 3.91% vs -57.84% for BOIL. On fees, FCG is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FCG has been the lower-risk option at 9.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, FCG has performed better with a 3.91% return vs -57.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FCG is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 1.31% for BOIL.
FCG has the higher dividend yield at 2.33%, compared with 0.00% for BOIL.
FCG is categorized as Energy Equities, while BOIL is Oil & Gas. FCG tracks ISE-Revere Natural Gas Index, while BOIL tracks Bloomberg Natural Gas Subindex. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FCG and 1.31% for BOIL.
FCG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.63 vs -0.67), 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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