FNX vs. IGLD
FNX (First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund) and IGLD (FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FNX is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Mid Cap Core Index, while IGLD is a Precious Metals fund actively managed by First Trust. FNX is passively managed, while IGLD is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, FNX returned 8.31%/yr vs 13.02%/yr for IGLD. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FNX charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for IGLD.
Performance
FNX vs. IGLD - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FNX achieves a 11.81% return, which is significantly higher than IGLD's 1.69% return.
FNX
- 1D
- -0.18%
- 1M
- 2.71%
- YTD
- 11.81%
- 6M
- 11.61%
- 1Y
- 26.57%
- 3Y*
- 16.99%
- 5Y*
- 8.31%
- 10Y*
- 11.90%
IGLD
- 1D
- -0.81%
- 1M
- -1.33%
- YTD
- 1.69%
- 6M
- 4.44%
- 1Y
- 24.53%
- 3Y*
- 23.01%
- 5Y*
- 13.02%
- 10Y*
- —
FNX vs. IGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FNX First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund | 11.81% | 9.87% | 12.21% | 20.39% | -13.57% | 13.82% |
IGLD FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | 1.69% | 47.46% | 19.36% | 9.24% | -2.34% | 4.30% |
Correlation
The correlation between FNX and IGLD is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.20 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.13 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 4, 2021 | 0.14 |
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
FNX vs. IGLD — Risk / Return Rank
FNX
IGLD
FNX vs. IGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FNX) and FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD). 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.
| FNX | IGLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.60 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.97 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.29 | 1.22 | +0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.89 | 1.40 | +1.49 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.95 | 3.82 | +6.12 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| FNX | IGLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.66 | 1.06 | +0.60 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.41 | 0.86 | -0.46 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.54 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.42 | 0.94 | -0.52 |
Drawdowns
FNX vs. IGLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FNX drawdown since its inception was -57.11%, which is greater than IGLD's maximum drawdown of -18.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FNX and IGLD.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| FNX | IGLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -57.11% | -18.59% | -38.52% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.24% | -17.56% | +8.32% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -24.97% | -17.56% | -7.41% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.97% | -18.59% | -6.38% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -43.95% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.77% | -15.16% | +14.39% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.41% | -5.24% | -3.17% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.68% | 6.43% | -3.75% |
Volatility
FNX vs. IGLD - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FNX) is 4.63%, while FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) has a volatility of 5.12%. This indicates that FNX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IGLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| FNX | IGLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.63% | 5.12% | -0.49% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.43% | 21.01% | -9.58% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.11% | 23.24% | -7.13% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.49% | 15.17% | +5.32% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.97% | 15.00% | +6.97% |
FNX vs. IGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
FNX has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than IGLD's 0.85% expense ratio.
Dividends
FNX vs. IGLD - Dividend Comparison
FNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.83%, less than IGLD's 17.92% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FNX First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund | 0.83% | 0.88% | 1.26% | 1.11% | 1.19% | 0.94% | 1.04% | 1.21% | 1.01% | 0.90% | 1.07% | 1.07% |
IGLD FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | 17.92% | 9.91% | 20.81% | 7.85% | 4.45% | 2.24% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FNX and IGLD have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IGLD has higher volatility (5.12%) compared to FNX (4.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FNX dropped -57.11% vs IGLD's -18.59%.
On 5-year performance, IGLD leads with 13.02% vs 8.31% for FNX. On fees, FNX is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FNX has been the lower-risk option at 4.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, IGLD has performed better with a 13.02% return vs 8.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FNX is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for IGLD.
IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 17.92%, compared with 0.83% for FNX.
FNX is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while IGLD is Precious Metals. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FNX and 0.85% for IGLD.
FNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.66 vs 1.06), 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.
Find the right allocation for FNX and IGLD
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer