FCG vs. OILU

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

FCG (First Trust Natural Gas ETF) and OILU (MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN) are both exchange-traded funds - FCG is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq FactSet Natural Gas Index, while OILU is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Solactive MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, FCG returned 6.75%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for OILU. Their correlation of 0.92 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FCG charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for OILU.

Performance

FCG vs. OILU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG) and MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FCG achieves a 25.55% return, which is significantly lower than OILU's 87.02% return.

FCG

• 1D: -0.89%
• 1M: 10.02%
• 6M: 18.75%
• YTD: 25.55%
• 1Y: 30.04%
• 3Y*: 6.75%
• 5Y*: 19.99%
• 10Y*: 4.37%
• ALL TIME*: -4.48%

OILU

• 1D: -4.14%
• 1M: 32.93%
• 6M: 40.98%
• YTD: 87.02%
• 1Y: 99.31%
• 3Y*: 0.08%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.22%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FCG First Trust Natural Gas ETF	$20.29M	$18.94M	$23.89M
OILU MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN	$8.15M	$7.77M	$7.91M

FCG vs. OILU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FCG First Trust Natural Gas ETF	25.55%	-2.28%	4.16%	2.55%	47.24%	-10.33%
OILU MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN	87.02%	-16.50%	-21.65%	-32.50%	151.08%	-16.79%

Correlation

The correlation between FCG and OILU is 0.91, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 9, 2021	0.92

The correlation between FCG and OILU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

FCG vs. OILU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FCG	OILU
Energy	98.9%	100.0%
Technology	1.1%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FCG vs. OILU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FCG

FCG Risk / Return Rank: 40
FCG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
FCG Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
FCG Omega Ratio Rank: 39
FCG Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
FCG Martin Ratio Rank: 37

OILU

OILU Risk / Return Rank: 56
OILU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
OILU Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
OILU Omega Ratio Rank: 54
OILU Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
OILU Martin Ratio Rank: 46

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FCG vs. OILU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG) and MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU). 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	OILU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.11	1.56	-0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.55	2.01	-0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.25	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.53	2.15	-0.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.84	5.28	-1.45

FCG vs. OILU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FCG Sharpe Ratio is 1.11, which is comparable to the OILU Sharpe Ratio of 1.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FCG and OILU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FCG vs. OILU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCG drawdown since its inception was -97.20%, which is greater than OILU's maximum drawdown of -81.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCG and OILU.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCG	OILU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-97.20%	-81.00%	-16.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.67%	-46.49%	+26.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.44%	-69.09%	+39.65%
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	-74.69%	-49.70%	-24.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-65.45%	-50.69%	-14.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.85%	18.87%	-11.02%

Volatility

FCG vs. OILU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG) is 8.92%, while MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU) has a volatility of 20.09%. This indicates that FCG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than OILU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FCG	OILU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.92%	20.09%	-11.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.33%	52.12%	-30.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.35%	64.31%	-36.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.06%	80.79%	-47.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	38.24%	80.79%	-42.55%

FCG vs. OILU - Expense Ratio Comparison

FCG has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than OILU's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

FCG vs. OILU - Dividend Comparison

FCG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.19%, while OILU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FCG First Trust Natural Gas ETF	2.19%	2.86%	2.76%	3.25%	3.04%	1.73%	3.82%	2.87%	1.46%	1.56%	1.70%	4.79%
OILU MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN	0.00%	0.00%	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 OILU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, FCG and OILU move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FCG or OILU?

OILU has higher volatility (20.09%) compared to FCG (8.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FCG dropped -97.20% vs OILU's -81.00%.

Which ETF is better, FCG or OILU?

On 3-year performance, FCG leads with 6.75% vs 0.08% for OILU. On fees, FCG is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, FCG has been the lower-risk option at 8.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FCG or OILU?

Over the 3-year period, FCG has performed better with a 6.75% return vs 0.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FCG or OILU?

FCG is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for OILU.

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

FCG has the higher dividend yield at 2.19%, compared with 0.00% for OILU.

What is the main difference between FCG and OILU?

FCG is categorized as Energy Equities, while OILU is Leveraged Equities. FCG tracks Nasdaq FactSet Natural Gas Index, while OILU tracks Solactive MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and BMO. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for FCG and 0.95% for OILU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

OILU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.56 vs 1.11), 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.