FGSI vs. HYGW

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FGSI (First Trust Vest Growth Strength & Target Income ETF) and HYGW (iShares High Yield Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF) are both Derivative Income funds. FGSI is actively managed, while HYGW is passively managed. Over the past year, FGSI returned 11.13% vs 5.90% for HYGW. Their 0.46 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. FGSI charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for HYGW.

Performance

FGSI vs. HYGW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Vest Growth Strength & Target Income ETF (FGSI) and iShares High Yield Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF (HYGW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FGSI achieves a 8.34% return, which is significantly higher than HYGW's 2.36% return.

FGSI

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 1.55%
• 6M: 6.78%
• YTD: 8.34%
• 1Y: 11.13%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.03%

HYGW

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 0.03%
• 6M: 1.81%
• YTD: 2.36%
• 1Y: 5.90%
• 3Y*: 5.30%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 5.68%

*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)
FGSI First Trust Vest Growth Strength & Target Income ETF	$3.03K	$2.79K	$11.92K
HYGW iShares High Yield Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF	$480.97K	$636.40K	$814.79K

FGSI vs. HYGW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FGSI First Trust Vest Growth Strength & Target Income ETF	8.34%	4.53%
HYGW iShares High Yield Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF	2.36%	4.04%

Correlation

The correlation between FGSI and HYGW is 0.49, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2025	0.46

Return for Risk

FGSI vs. HYGW — Risk / Return Rank

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

FGSI

FGSI Risk / Return Rank: 34
FGSI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
FGSI Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
FGSI Omega Ratio Rank: 30
FGSI Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
FGSI Martin Ratio Rank: 38

HYGW

HYGW Risk / Return Rank: 88
HYGW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
HYGW Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
HYGW Omega Ratio Rank: 90
HYGW Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
HYGW Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

FGSI vs. HYGW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Vest Growth Strength & Target Income ETF (FGSI) and iShares High Yield Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF (HYGW). 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.

	FGSI	HYGW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.81	2.03	-1.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.20	2.95	-1.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.42	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.23	3.26	-2.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.01	14.57	-10.55

FGSI vs. HYGW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FGSI Sharpe Ratio is 0.81, which is lower than the HYGW Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FGSI and HYGW, 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

FGSI vs. HYGW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FGSI drawdown since its inception was -8.25%, which is greater than HYGW's maximum drawdown of -5.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FGSI and HYGW.

Drawdown Indicators

	FGSI	HYGW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.25%	-5.49%	-2.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.25%	-1.82%	-6.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-3.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.21%	+0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.84%	-0.59%	-1.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.53%	0.41%	+2.12%

Volatility

FGSI vs. HYGW - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Vest Growth Strength & Target Income ETF (FGSI) has a higher volatility of 3.01% compared to iShares High Yield Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF (HYGW) at 0.80%. This indicates that FGSI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HYGW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FGSI	HYGW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.01%	0.80%	+2.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.13%	2.32%	+7.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.64%	2.92%	+9.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.34%	4.62%	+7.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.34%	4.62%	+7.72%

FGSI vs. HYGW - Expense Ratio Comparison

FGSI has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than HYGW's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

FGSI vs. HYGW - Dividend Comparison

FGSI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.19%, less than HYGW's 10.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
FGSI First Trust Vest Growth Strength & Target Income ETF	8.19%	4.20%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
HYGW iShares High Yield Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF	10.71%	12.53%	12.30%	15.98%	8.71%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FGSI and HYGW in my portfolio?

FGSI and HYGW have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FGSI or HYGW?

FGSI has higher volatility (3.01%) compared to HYGW (0.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FGSI dropped -8.25% vs HYGW's -5.49%.

Which ETF is better, FGSI or HYGW?

On 1-year performance, FGSI leads with 11.13% vs 5.90% for HYGW. On fees, HYGW is cheaper at 0.69% per year. On volatility, HYGW has been the lower-risk option at 0.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FGSI or HYGW?

Over the 1-year period, FGSI has performed better with a 11.13% return vs 5.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FGSI or HYGW?

HYGW is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for FGSI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FGSI or HYGW?

HYGW has the higher dividend yield at 10.71%, compared with 8.19% for FGSI.

What is the main difference between FGSI and HYGW?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for FGSI and 0.69% for HYGW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HYGW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 0.81), 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.