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FIIG vs. VCLT
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

Performance

FIIG vs. VCLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Intermediate Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF (FIIG) and Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FIIG achieves a -0.56% return, which is significantly lower than VCLT's 0.99% return.


FIIG

1D
-0.17%
1M
0.08%
YTD
-0.56%
6M
-0.47%
1Y
5.17%
3Y*
5Y*
10Y*

VCLT

1D
-0.35%
1M
1.49%
YTD
0.99%
6M
-0.04%
1Y
7.69%
3Y*
4.34%
5Y*
-1.78%
10Y*
2.31%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FIIG vs. VCLT - Yearly Performance Comparison


2026 (YTD)202520242023
FIIG
First Trust Intermediate Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF
-0.56%8.80%2.15%6.83%
VCLT
Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF
0.99%7.18%-1.90%9.99%

Correlation

The correlation between FIIG and VCLT is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.


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

0.88

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 4, 2023

0.87

The correlation between FIIG and VCLT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

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Return for Risk

FIIG vs. VCLT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

FIIG
FIIG Risk / Return Rank: 3232
Overall Rank
FIIG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3232
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FIIG Sortino Ratio Rank: 3131
Sortino Ratio Rank
FIIG Omega Ratio Rank: 3030
Omega Ratio Rank
FIIG Calmar Ratio Rank: 3434
Calmar Ratio Rank
FIIG Martin Ratio Rank: 3535
Martin Ratio Rank

VCLT
VCLT Risk / Return Rank: 2727
Overall Rank
VCLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2626
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VCLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 2626
Sortino Ratio Rank
VCLT Omega Ratio Rank: 2525
Omega Ratio Rank
VCLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 3030
Calmar Ratio Rank
VCLT Martin Ratio Rank: 2626
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.

FIIG vs. VCLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Intermediate Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF (FIIG) and Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT). 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.


FIIGVCLTDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility

+0.15

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk

+0.21

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.20

1.17

+0.03

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.65

1.47

+0.18

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.30

3.62

+1.68

FIIG vs. VCLT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FIIG Sharpe Ratio is 1.13, which is comparable to the VCLT Sharpe Ratio of 0.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FIIG and VCLT, 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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Sharpe Ratios by Period


FIIGVCLTDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.13

0.97

+0.15

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

-0.14

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.18

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

1.03

0.39

+0.64

Drawdowns

FIIG vs. VCLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FIIG drawdown since its inception was -5.50%, smaller than the maximum VCLT drawdown of -34.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FIIG and VCLT.


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Drawdown Indicators


FIIGVCLTDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-5.50%

-34.31%

+28.81%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-3.15%

-5.25%

+2.10%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.03%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-34.31%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.31%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.51%

-14.36%

+12.85%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-1.39%

-8.16%

+6.77%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.98%

2.13%

-1.15%

Volatility

FIIG vs. VCLT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Intermediate Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF (FIIG) is 1.63%, while Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCLT) has a volatility of 2.31%. This indicates that FIIG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VCLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.


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Volatility by Period


FIIGVCLTDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.63%

2.31%

-0.68%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

3.38%

5.75%

-2.37%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

4.61%

7.92%

-3.31%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

5.91%

12.78%

-6.87%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

5.91%

12.84%

-6.93%

FIIG vs. VCLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

FIIG has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than VCLT's 0.04% expense ratio.


Dividends

FIIG vs. VCLT - Dividend Comparison

FIIG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.96%, less than VCLT's 5.55% yield.


PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FIIG
First Trust Intermediate Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF
4.96%4.76%4.45%1.72%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
VCLT
Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond ETF
5.55%5.51%5.19%4.67%4.44%3.07%3.16%3.81%4.55%4.01%4.33%4.68%

Frequently Asked Questions


FIIG and VCLT have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VCLT has higher volatility (2.31%) compared to FIIG (1.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FIIG dropped -5.50% vs VCLT's -34.31%.

On 1-year performance, VCLT leads with 7.69% vs 5.17% for FIIG. On fees, VCLT is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, FIIG has been the lower-risk option at 1.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 1-year period, VCLT has performed better with a 7.69% return vs 5.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VCLT is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for FIIG.

VCLT has the higher dividend yield at 5.55%, compared with 4.96% for FIIG.

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for FIIG and 0.04% for VCLT.

FIIG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.13 vs 0.97), 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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