FCG vs. GXPE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FCG (First Trust Natural Gas ETF) and GXPE (Global X PureCap MSCI Energy ETF) are both Energy Equities funds - FCG tracks the ISE-Revere Natural Gas Index while GXPE tracks the MSCI USA Energy PureCap Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FCG charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for GXPE.

Performance

FCG vs. GXPE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG) and Global X PureCap MSCI Energy ETF (GXPE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FCG achieves a 27.71% return, which is significantly lower than GXPE's 31.18% return.

FCG

• 1D: 1.02%
• 1M: -6.03%
• YTD: 27.71%
• 6M: 20.12%
• 1Y: 32.99%
• 3Y*: 12.75%
• 5Y*: 16.52%
• 10Y*: 4.65%

GXPE

• 1D: 1.65%
• 1M: -1.13%
• YTD: 31.18%
• 6M: 29.39%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FCG vs. GXPE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FCG First Trust Natural Gas ETF	27.71%	1.84%
GXPE Global X PureCap MSCI Energy ETF	31.18%	4.62%

Correlation

The correlation between FCG and GXPE is 0.86, 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 Jul 24, 2025	0.86

Return for Risk

FCG vs. GXPE — Risk / Return Rank

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

FCG

FCG Risk / Return Rank: 36
FCG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
FCG Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
FCG Omega Ratio Rank: 30
FCG Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
FCG Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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.

FCG vs. GXPE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG) and Global X PureCap MSCI Energy ETF (GXPE). 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.

	FCG	GXPE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.24	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.69	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.54	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.56	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FCG	GXPE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.24	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.12	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.11	2.18	-2.29

Drawdowns

FCG vs. GXPE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCG drawdown since its inception was -97.20%, which is greater than GXPE's maximum drawdown of -12.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCG and GXPE.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCG	GXPE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-97.20%	-12.37%	-84.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.07%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.44%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.33%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-85.04%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-74.25%	-6.88%	-67.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-65.38%	-3.21%	-62.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.95%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	FCG	GXPE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.60%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.15%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.75%	20.42%	+6.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.46%	20.42%	+13.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	38.30%	20.42%	+17.88%

FCG vs. GXPE - Expense Ratio Comparison

FCG has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than GXPE's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

FCG vs. GXPE - Dividend Comparison

FCG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.15%, more than GXPE's 0.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FCG First Trust Natural Gas ETF	2.15%	2.86%	2.76%	3.25%	3.04%	1.73%	3.82%	2.87%	1.46%	1.56%	1.70%	4.79%
GXPE Global X PureCap MSCI Energy ETF	0.92%	1.20%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FCG and GXPE in my portfolio?

FCG and GXPE have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, FCG or GXPE?

On fees, GXPE is cheaper at 0.15% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, FCG or GXPE?

GXPE is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FCG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FCG or GXPE?

FCG has the higher dividend yield at 2.15%, compared with 0.92% for GXPE.

What is the main difference between FCG and GXPE?

FCG tracks ISE-Revere Natural Gas Index, while GXPE tracks MSCI USA Energy PureCap Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FCG and 0.15% for GXPE.