FEMB vs. IGLD
FEMB (First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF) and IGLD (FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FEMB is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust, while IGLD is a Precious Metals fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, FEMB returned 1.63%/yr vs 13.02%/yr for IGLD. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.
Performance
FEMB vs. IGLD - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FEMB achieves a 0.60% return, which is significantly lower than IGLD's 1.69% return.
FEMB
- 1D
- -0.81%
- 1M
- 0.57%
- YTD
- 0.60%
- 6M
- 0.88%
- 1Y
- 10.20%
- 3Y*
- 7.79%
- 5Y*
- 1.63%
- 10Y*
- 2.51%
IGLD
- 1D
- -0.81%
- 1M
- -1.33%
- YTD
- 1.69%
- 6M
- 4.44%
- 1Y
- 24.53%
- 3Y*
- 23.01%
- 5Y*
- 13.02%
- 10Y*
- —
FEMB vs. IGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FEMB First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF | 0.60% | 21.77% | -5.61% | 17.12% | -10.50% | -8.81% |
IGLD FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | 1.69% | 47.46% | 19.36% | 9.24% | -2.34% | 4.30% |
Correlation
The correlation between FEMB and IGLD is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 4, 2021 | 0.38 |
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
FEMB vs. IGLD — Risk / Return Rank
FEMB
IGLD
FEMB vs. IGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF (FEMB) and FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD). 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.
| FEMB | IGLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.16 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.32 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.22 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.35 | 1.40 | -0.05 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.34 | 3.82 | +0.52 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| FEMB | IGLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.22 | 1.06 | +0.16 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.16 | 0.86 | -0.70 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.23 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.09 | 0.94 | -0.85 |
Drawdowns
FEMB vs. IGLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FEMB drawdown since its inception was -30.44%, which is greater than IGLD's maximum drawdown of -18.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FEMB and IGLD.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| FEMB | IGLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -30.44% | -18.59% | -11.85% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.58% | -17.56% | +9.98% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -10.13% | -17.56% | +7.43% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.85% | -18.59% | -9.26% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -30.44% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.91% | -15.16% | +11.25% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.93% | -5.24% | -4.69% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.35% | 6.43% | -4.08% |
Volatility
FEMB vs. IGLD - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF (FEMB) is 3.05%, while FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) has a volatility of 5.12%. This indicates that FEMB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IGLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| FEMB | IGLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.05% | 5.12% | -2.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.57% | 21.01% | -14.44% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.36% | 23.24% | -14.88% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 10.26% | 15.17% | -4.91% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 10.99% | 15.00% | -4.01% |
FEMB vs. IGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both FEMB and IGLD have an expense ratio of 0.85%.
Dividends
FEMB vs. IGLD - Dividend Comparison
FEMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.06%, less than IGLD's 17.92% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FEMB First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF | 6.06% | 5.67% | 6.09% | 5.15% | 6.35% | 6.12% | 5.29% | 5.40% | 5.86% | 6.38% | 5.83% | 4.89% |
IGLD FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | 17.92% | 9.91% | 20.81% | 7.85% | 4.45% | 2.24% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FEMB and IGLD have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IGLD has higher volatility (5.12%) compared to FEMB (3.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FEMB dropped -30.44% vs IGLD's -18.59%.
On 5-year performance, IGLD leads with 13.02% vs 1.63% for FEMB. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. On volatility, FEMB has been the lower-risk option at 3.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, IGLD has performed better with a 13.02% return vs 1.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FEMB and IGLD have the same expense ratio: 0.85% per year.
IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 17.92%, compared with 6.06% for FEMB.
FEMB is categorized as Emerging Markets Bonds, while IGLD is Precious Metals.
FEMB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.22 vs 1.06), 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.
Find the right allocation for FEMB and IGLD
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer