FCG vs. REET

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FCG (First Trust Natural Gas ETF) and REET (iShares Global REIT ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FCG is a Energy Equities fund tracking the ISE-Revere Natural Gas Index, while REET is a REIT fund tracking the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global REIT Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FCG returned 4.65%/yr vs 3.99%/yr for REET. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FCG charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for REET.

Performance

FCG vs. REET - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG) and iShares Global REIT ETF (REET). 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 higher than REET's 8.07% return. Over the past 10 years, FCG has outperformed REET with an annualized return of 4.65%, while REET has yielded a comparatively lower 3.99% annualized 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%

REET

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: -0.74%
• YTD: 8.07%
• 6M: 7.69%
• 1Y: 12.24%
• 3Y*: 9.19%
• 5Y*: 2.22%
• 10Y*: 3.99%

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

FCG vs. REET - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FCG First Trust Natural Gas ETF	27.71%	-2.28%	4.16%	2.55%	47.24%	98.49%	-23.20%	-15.76%	-34.81%	-11.38%
REET iShares Global REIT ETF	8.07%	7.97%	2.65%	10.28%	-24.10%	32.43%	-10.48%	24.42%	-5.27%	7.48%

Correlation

The correlation between FCG and REET is 0.01, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.01
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.21
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 11, 2014	0.29

Over the past year, the correlation between FCG and REET has dropped to 0.01 - well below their long-term average of 0.29, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FCG vs. REET - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FCG	REET
Energy	99.2%	-
Technology	0.8%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.2%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	99.8%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FCG vs. REET — 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

REET

REET Risk / Return Rank: 28
REET Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
REET Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
REET Omega Ratio Rank: 27
REET Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
REET Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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. REET - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG) and iShares Global REIT ETF (REET). 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	REET	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.24	1.02	+0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.69	1.44	+0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.18	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.54	1.36	+1.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.56	4.89	+0.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FCG vs. REET - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FCG Sharpe Ratio is 1.24, which is comparable to the REET Sharpe Ratio of 1.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FCG and REET, 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

	FCG	REET	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.24	1.02	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.13	+0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.12	0.21	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.11	0.25	-0.36

Drawdowns

FCG vs. REET - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCG drawdown since its inception was -97.20%, which is greater than REET's maximum drawdown of -44.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCG and REET.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCG	REET	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-97.20%	-44.59%	-52.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.07%	-9.04%	-4.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.44%	-18.02%	-11.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.33%	-32.11%	-1.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-85.04%	-44.59%	-40.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-74.25%	-2.83%	-71.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-65.38%	-9.79%	-55.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.95%	2.51%	+3.44%

Volatility

FCG vs. REET - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG) has a higher volatility of 9.60% compared to iShares Global REIT ETF (REET) at 3.79%. This indicates that FCG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than REET based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FCG	REET	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.60%	3.79%	+5.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.15%	8.81%	+11.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.75%	12.10%	+14.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.46%	16.95%	+16.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	38.30%	18.84%	+19.46%

FCG vs. REET - Expense Ratio Comparison

FCG has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than REET's 0.14% expense ratio.

Dividends

FCG vs. REET - Dividend Comparison

FCG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.15%, less than REET's 3.42% 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%
REET iShares Global REIT ETF	3.42%	3.67%	3.64%	3.27%	2.43%	3.18%	2.65%	5.25%	5.73%	3.84%	5.37%	3.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FCG and REET in my portfolio?

FCG and REET have a correlation of 0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FCG or REET?

FCG has higher volatility (9.60%) compared to REET (3.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FCG dropped -97.20% vs REET's -44.59%.

Which ETF is better, FCG or REET?

On 10-year performance, FCG leads with 4.65% vs 3.99% for REET. On fees, REET is cheaper at 0.14% per year. On volatility, REET has been the lower-risk option at 3.79%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FCG or REET?

Over the 10-year period, FCG has performed better with a 4.65% return vs 3.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FCG or REET?

REET is cheaper with a 0.14% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FCG.

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

REET has the higher dividend yield at 3.42%, compared with 2.15% for FCG.

What is the main difference between FCG and REET?

FCG is categorized as Energy Equities, while REET is REIT. FCG tracks ISE-Revere Natural Gas Index, while REET tracks FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global REIT Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FCG and 0.14% for REET.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FCG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.24 vs 1.02), 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.