FGD vs. VEGA
FGD (First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund) and VEGA (AdvisorShares STAR Global Buy-Write ETF) are both Global Equities funds. FGD is passively managed, while VEGA is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, FGD returned 10.25%/yr vs 7.93%/yr for VEGA. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FGD charges 0.59%/yr vs 2.02%/yr for VEGA.
Performance
FGD vs. VEGA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FGD achieves a 8.77% return, which is significantly higher than VEGA's 5.66% return. Over the past 10 years, FGD has outperformed VEGA with an annualized return of 10.25%, while VEGA has yielded a comparatively lower 7.93% annualized return.
FGD
- 1D
- -0.91%
- 1M
- -3.22%
- YTD
- 8.77%
- 6M
- 8.41%
- 1Y
- 27.05%
- 3Y*
- 22.21%
- 5Y*
- 10.63%
- 10Y*
- 10.25%
VEGA
- 1D
- -1.18%
- 1M
- -0.24%
- YTD
- 5.66%
- 6M
- 4.89%
- 1Y
- 16.81%
- 3Y*
- 13.24%
- 5Y*
- 6.73%
- 10Y*
- 7.93%
FGD vs. VEGA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FGD First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund | 8.77% | 44.42% | 5.71% | 8.20% | -7.25% | 20.83% | -5.23% | 20.64% | -12.49% | 17.87% |
VEGA AdvisorShares STAR Global Buy-Write ETF | 5.66% | 15.83% | 11.20% | 15.12% | -15.02% | 12.36% | 8.37% | 19.29% | -6.58% | 11.50% |
Correlation
The correlation between FGD and VEGA is 0.68, 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 | 0.68 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.66 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.71 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.63 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 18, 2012 | 0.60 |
The correlation between FGD and VEGA shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (all time) to 0.71 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FGD vs. VEGA — Risk / Return Rank
FGD
VEGA
FGD vs. VEGA - 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 AdvisorShares STAR Global Buy-Write ETF (VEGA). 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.
| FGD | VEGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.37 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.46 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.39 | 1.33 | +0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.77 | 2.46 | +0.31 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.57 | 10.76 | -1.19 |
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Drawdowns
FGD vs. VEGA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FGD drawdown since its inception was -68.05%, which is greater than VEGA's maximum drawdown of -28.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FGD and VEGA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FGD | VEGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -68.05% | -28.37% | -39.68% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.82% | -6.86% | -2.96% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.50% | -11.62% | +0.12% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.68% | -22.78% | -5.90% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.84% | -28.37% | -16.47% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.09% | -1.85% | -2.24% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.54% | -3.78% | -8.76% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.83% | 1.57% | +1.26% |
Volatility
FGD vs. VEGA - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) is 3.65%, while AdvisorShares STAR Global Buy-Write ETF (VEGA) has a volatility of 3.86%. This indicates that FGD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEGA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FGD | VEGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.65% | 3.86% | -0.21% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.17% | 8.10% | +2.07% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.82% | 9.61% | +3.21% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.93% | 12.36% | +2.57% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.00% | 12.74% | +5.26% |
FGD vs. VEGA - Expense Ratio Comparison
FGD has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than VEGA's 2.02% expense ratio.
Dividends
FGD vs. VEGA - Dividend Comparison
FGD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.20%, more than VEGA's 1.27% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FGD First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund | 5.20% | 5.62% | 5.87% | 6.44% | 5.74% | 5.35% | 6.17% | 5.19% | 5.88% | 4.01% | 4.36% | 5.07% |
VEGA AdvisorShares STAR Global Buy-Write ETF | 1.27% | 1.34% | 1.05% | 1.12% | 1.89% | 0.55% | 0.28% | 0.44% | 0.45% | 0.00% | 0.81% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FGD and VEGA have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VEGA has higher volatility (3.86%) compared to FGD (3.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FGD dropped -68.05% vs VEGA's -28.37%.
On 10-year performance, FGD leads with 10.25% vs 7.93% for VEGA. On fees, FGD is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, FGD has been the lower-risk option at 3.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, FGD has performed better with a 10.25% return vs 7.93%. 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 2.02% for VEGA.
FGD has the higher dividend yield at 5.20%, compared with 1.27% for VEGA.
They also come from different issuers: First Trust and AdvisorShares. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for FGD and 2.02% for VEGA.
FGD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 1.76), 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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