FCG vs. VSDB

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FCG (First Trust Natural Gas ETF) and VSDB (Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - FCG is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq FactSet Natural Gas Index, while VSDB is a Short-Term Bond fund actively managed by Vanguard. FCG is passively managed, while VSDB is actively managed. Over the past year, FCG returned 31.20% vs 3.82% for VSDB. Their -0.27 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. FCG charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for VSDB.

Performance

FCG vs. VSDB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG) and Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares (VSDB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FCG achieves a 26.67% return, which is significantly higher than VSDB's 1.15% return.

FCG

• 1D: 1.91%
• 1M: 11.01%
• 6M: 15.79%
• YTD: 26.67%
• 1Y: 31.20%
• 3Y*: 7.40%
• 5Y*: 19.13%
• 10Y*: 4.86%
• ALL TIME*: -4.44%

VSDB

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: -0.12%
• 6M: 0.79%
• YTD: 1.15%
• 1Y: 3.82%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 4.56%

*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	$18.46M	$17.58M	$23.74M
VSDB Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares	$3.32M	$3.59M	$9.34M

FCG vs. VSDB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FCG First Trust Natural Gas ETF	26.67%	-5.27%
VSDB Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares	1.15%	4.88%

Correlation

The correlation between FCG and VSDB is -0.32, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 3, 2025	-0.27

Return for Risk

FCG vs. VSDB — Risk / Return Rank

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

FCG

FCG Risk / Return Rank: 37
FCG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
FCG Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
FCG Omega Ratio Rank: 36
FCG Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
FCG Martin Ratio Rank: 35

VSDB

VSDB Risk / Return Rank: 89
VSDB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
VSDB Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
VSDB Omega Ratio Rank: 93
VSDB Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
VSDB Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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. VSDB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG) and Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares (VSDB). 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	VSDB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.98	2.40	-1.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.41	3.66	-2.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.47	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.38	2.96	-1.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.45	12.72	-9.26

FCG vs. VSDB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FCG Sharpe Ratio is 0.98, which is lower than the VSDB Sharpe Ratio of 2.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FCG and VSDB, 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. VSDB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCG drawdown since its inception was -97.20%, which is greater than VSDB's maximum drawdown of -1.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCG and VSDB.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCG	VSDB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-97.20%	-1.42%	-95.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.67%	-1.42%	-18.25%
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	-74.46%	-0.20%	-74.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-65.45%	-0.19%	-65.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.87%	0.33%	+7.54%

Volatility

FCG vs. VSDB - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG) has a higher volatility of 8.83% compared to Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares (VSDB) at 0.46%. This indicates that FCG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSDB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FCG	VSDB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.83%	0.46%	+8.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.32%	1.43%	+19.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.51%	1.76%	+25.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.08%	1.87%	+31.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	38.24%	1.87%	+36.37%

FCG vs. VSDB - Expense Ratio Comparison

FCG has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than VSDB's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

FCG vs. VSDB - Dividend Comparison

FCG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.17%, less than VSDB's 4.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FCG First Trust Natural Gas ETF	2.17%	2.86%	2.76%	3.25%	3.04%	1.73%	3.82%	2.87%	1.46%	1.56%	1.70%	4.79%
VSDB Vanguard Short Duration Bond ETF Shares	3.82%	3.30%	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 VSDB in my portfolio?

FCG and VSDB have a correlation of -0.32, 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 VSDB?

FCG has higher volatility (8.83%) compared to VSDB (0.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FCG dropped -97.20% vs VSDB's -1.42%.

Which ETF is better, FCG or VSDB?

On 1-year performance, FCG leads with 31.20% vs 3.82% for VSDB. On fees, VSDB is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, VSDB has been the lower-risk option at 0.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FCG or VSDB?

Over the 1-year period, FCG has performed better with a 31.20% return vs 3.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FCG or VSDB?

VSDB is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for FCG.

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

VSDB has the higher dividend yield at 3.82%, compared with 2.17% for FCG.

What is the main difference between FCG and VSDB?

FCG is categorized as Energy Equities, while VSDB is Short-Term Bond. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for FCG and 0.15% for VSDB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSDB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 0.98), 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.