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FGD vs. GVAL
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FGD vs. GVAL

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

FGD (First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund) and GVAL (Cambria Global Value ETF) are both Global Equities funds. FGD is passively managed, while GVAL is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, FGD returned 10.39%/yr vs 11.46%/yr for GVAL. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FGD charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.64%/yr for GVAL.

Performance

FGD vs. GVAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) and Cambria Global Value ETF (GVAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FGD achieves a 12.92% return, which is significantly lower than GVAL's 16.63% return. Over the past 10 years, FGD has underperformed GVAL with an annualized return of 10.39%, while GVAL has yielded a comparatively higher 11.46% annualized return.

FGD

1D
0.35%
1M
1.25%
YTD
12.92%
6M
13.97%
1Y
32.81%
3Y*
22.51%
5Y*
10.83%
10Y*
10.39%

GVAL

1D
1.47%
1M
3.88%
YTD
16.63%
6M
18.08%
1Y
40.92%
3Y*
26.84%
5Y*
13.64%
10Y*
11.46%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FGD vs. GVAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FGD
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund		12.92%44.42%5.71%8.20%-7.25%20.83%-5.23%20.64%-12.49%17.87%
GVAL
Cambria Global Value ETF		16.63%55.87%2.59%13.30%-7.98%10.70%-8.51%17.24%-14.30%29.50%

Correlation

The correlation between FGD and GVAL is 0.74, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.74

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.77

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.80

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.79

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 12, 2014

0.80

The correlation between FGD and GVAL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

FGD vs. GVAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FGD
GVAL

Financial Services

33.6%
16.5%

Industrials

14.3%
3.6%

Energy

10.0%
7.7%

Communication Services

9.3%
4.6%

Consumer Defensive

9.2%
1.9%

Consumer Cyclical

8.8%
2.6%

Basic Materials

6.4%
8.3%

Utilities

4.9%
4.0%

Real Estate

2.4%
6.9%

Technology

1.2%
6.5%

Healthcare

-

-

Financial Services

FGD
33.6%
GVAL
16.5%

Industrials

FGD
14.3%
GVAL
3.6%

Energy

FGD
10.0%
GVAL
7.7%

Communication Services

FGD
9.3%
GVAL
4.6%

Consumer Defensive

FGD
9.2%
GVAL
1.9%

Consumer Cyclical

FGD
8.8%
GVAL
2.6%

Basic Materials

FGD
6.4%
GVAL
8.3%

Utilities

FGD
4.9%
GVAL
4.0%

Real Estate

FGD
2.4%
GVAL
6.9%

Technology

FGD
1.2%
GVAL
6.5%

Healthcare

FGD

-

GVAL

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund

Cambria Global Value ETF

Often compared with FGD:
FGD vs. VYMIFGD vs. IDVFGD vs. SCHDFGD vs. DIVFGD vs. SPYDFGD vs. HYGFGD vs. SJNK
Often compared with GVAL:
GVAL vs. EYLDGVAL vs. AUSFGVAL vs. SPMOGVAL vs. DFIVGVAL vs. VOOGVAL vs. AVESGVAL vs. VUG

Return for Risk

FGD vs. GVAL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FGD
FGD Risk / Return Rank: 8080
Overall Rank
FGD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8787
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FGD Sortino Ratio Rank: 8686
Sortino Ratio Rank
FGD Omega Ratio Rank: 8585
Omega Ratio Rank
FGD Calmar Ratio Rank: 7373
Calmar Ratio Rank
FGD Martin Ratio Rank: 7070
Martin Ratio Rank
GVAL
GVAL Risk / Return Rank: 8484
Overall Rank
GVAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9090
Sharpe Ratio Rank
GVAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 8888
Sortino Ratio Rank
GVAL Omega Ratio Rank: 8787
Omega Ratio Rank
GVAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 7777
Calmar Ratio Rank
GVAL Martin Ratio Rank: 7979
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

FGD vs. GVAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) and Cambria Global Value ETF (GVAL). 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.

FGDGVALDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.48
2.64

-0.16

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.37
3.50

-0.13

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.45

1.47

-0.02

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.23

3.48

-0.25

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.28

13.27

-1.99

FGD vs. GVAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FGD Sharpe Ratio is 2.48, which is comparable to the GVAL Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FGD and GVAL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

FGD vs. GVAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FGD drawdown since its inception was -68.05%, which is greater than GVAL's maximum drawdown of -46.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FGD and GVAL.

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Drawdown Indicators

FGDGVALDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-68.05%

-46.82%

-21.23%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.82%

-11.50%

+1.68%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-11.50%

-15.72%

+4.22%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-28.68%

-30.83%

+2.15%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-44.84%

-46.82%

+1.98%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.44%

0.00%

-0.44%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-12.55%

-13.85%

+1.30%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.81%

3.02%

-0.21%

Volatility

FGD vs. GVAL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) is 3.57%, while Cambria Global Value ETF (GVAL) has a volatility of 6.00%. This indicates that FGD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GVAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

FGDGVALDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.57%

6.00%

-2.43%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.98%

13.40%

-3.42%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.81%

15.18%

-2.37%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.95%

18.56%

-3.61%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.21%

19.20%

-0.99%

FGD vs. GVAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

FGD has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than GVAL's 0.64% expense ratio.

Dividends

FGD vs. GVAL - Dividend Comparison

FGD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.01%, more than GVAL's 2.77% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FGD
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund		5.01%5.62%5.87%6.44%5.74%5.35%6.17%5.19%5.88%4.01%4.36%5.07%
GVAL
Cambria Global Value ETF		2.77%2.93%4.75%6.12%5.05%2.97%1.90%2.84%4.65%2.00%2.54%2.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

FGD and GVAL have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

GVAL has higher volatility (6.00%) compared to FGD (3.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FGD dropped -68.05% vs GVAL's -46.82%.

On 10-year performance, GVAL leads with 11.46% vs 10.39% for FGD. On fees, FGD is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, FGD has been the lower-risk option at 3.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, GVAL has performed better with a 11.46% return vs 10.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

FGD is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.64% for GVAL.

FGD has the higher dividend yield at 5.01%, compared with 2.77% for GVAL.

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Cambria. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for FGD and 0.64% for GVAL.

GVAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 2.48), 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.

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