FICS vs. GSG
FICS (First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF) and GSG (iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - FICS is a Global Equities fund tracking the The International Developed Capital Strength Index, while GSG is a Commodities fund tracking the S&P GSCI Total Return Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FICS returned 5.38%/yr vs 13.92%/yr for GSG. Their 0.07 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. FICS charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for GSG.
Performance
FICS vs. GSG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FICS achieves a 8.72% return, which is significantly lower than GSG's 32.05% return.
FICS
- 1D
- 0.85%
- 1M
- 1.41%
- 6M
- 7.33%
- YTD
- 8.72%
- 1Y
- 14.35%
- 3Y*
- 12.86%
- 5Y*
- 5.38%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 8.31%
GSG
- 1D
- -2.34%
- 1M
- 7.33%
- 6M
- 21.51%
- YTD
- 32.05%
- 1Y
- 36.06%
- 3Y*
- 12.37%
- 5Y*
- 13.92%
- 10Y*
- 7.99%
- ALL TIME*
- -2.38%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $518.34K | $465.94K | $910.86K | |
| $18.82M | $16.77M | $25.29M |
FICS vs. GSG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FICS First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF | 8.72% | 20.44% | 2.59% | 18.07% | -19.47% | 19.78% | 2.47% |
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 32.05% | 5.93% | 8.52% | -5.51% | 24.08% | 38.77% | 2.92% |
Correlation
The correlation between FICS and GSG is -0.29, 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. | -0.29 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | -0.08 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.06 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 16, 2020 | 0.07 |
The correlation between FICS and GSG shifts across timeframes, from -0.29 (1 year) to 0.07 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FICS vs. GSG — Risk / Return Rank
FICS
GSG
FICS vs. GSG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF (FICS) and iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG). 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.
| FICS | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.39 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.39 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | 1.26 | -0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.40 | 1.93 | -0.53 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.64 | 6.13 | -1.49 |
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Drawdowns
FICS vs. GSG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FICS drawdown since its inception was -29.16%, smaller than the maximum GSG drawdown of -89.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FICS and GSG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FICS | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -29.16% | -89.62% | +60.46% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.32% | -18.81% | +8.49% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.14% | -18.81% | +7.67% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.16% | -29.12% | -0.04% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -57.64% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -60.13% | +60.13% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.03% | -63.67% | +56.64% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.10% | 5.90% | -2.80% |
Volatility
FICS vs. GSG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF (FICS) is 3.67%, while iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) has a volatility of 9.06%. This indicates that FICS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GSG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FICS | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.67% | 9.06% | -5.39% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.24% | 22.00% | -10.76% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.20% | 24.45% | -11.25% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.25% | 22.90% | -5.65% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.81% | 22.09% | -5.28% |
FICS vs. GSG - Expense Ratio Comparison
FICS has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is lower than GSG's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
FICS vs. GSG - Dividend Comparison
FICS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.78%, while GSG has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FICS First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF | 1.78% | 1.85% | 2.01% | 1.02% | 1.89% | 1.26% |
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FICS and GSG have a correlation of -0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GSG has higher volatility (9.06%) compared to FICS (3.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FICS dropped -29.16% vs GSG's -89.62%.
On 5-year performance, GSG leads with 13.92% vs 5.38% for FICS. On fees, FICS is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, FICS has been the lower-risk option at 3.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, GSG has performed better with a 13.92% return vs 5.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FICS is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GSG.
FICS has the higher dividend yield at 1.78%, compared with 0.00% for GSG.
FICS is categorized as Global Equities, while GSG is Commodities. FICS tracks The International Developed Capital Strength Index, while GSG tracks S&P GSCI Total Return Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for FICS and 0.75% for GSG.
GSG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs 1.09), 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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