FNY vs. IGLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FNY (First Trust Mid Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund) and IGLD (FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FNY is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Mid Cap Growth Index, while IGLD is a Precious Metals fund actively managed by First Trust. FNY is passively managed, while IGLD is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, FNY returned 8.42%/yr vs 13.02%/yr for IGLD. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FNY charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for IGLD.

Performance

FNY vs. IGLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Mid Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FNY) and FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FNY achieves a 14.89% return, which is significantly higher than IGLD's 1.69% return.

FNY

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 4.61%
• YTD: 14.89%
• 6M: 14.12%
• 1Y: 30.64%
• 3Y*: 19.96%
• 5Y*: 8.42%
• 10Y*: 13.68%

IGLD

• 1D: -0.81%
• 1M: -1.33%
• YTD: 1.69%
• 6M: 4.44%
• 1Y: 24.53%
• 3Y*: 23.01%
• 5Y*: 13.02%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FNY vs. IGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FNY First Trust Mid Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	14.89%	14.03%	18.09%	21.13%	-23.80%	9.41%
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 FNY and IGLD is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
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	0.15

Return for Risk

FNY vs. IGLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

FNY

FNY Risk / Return Rank: 47
FNY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
FNY Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
FNY Omega Ratio Rank: 41
FNY Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
FNY Martin Ratio Rank: 54

IGLD

IGLD Risk / Return Rank: 28
IGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
IGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
IGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 32
IGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
IGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

FNY vs. IGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Mid Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FNY) 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.

	FNY	IGLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	1.06	+0.49
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.21	1.47	+0.74
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.22	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.56	1.40	+1.16
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.30	3.82	+5.47
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FNY vs. IGLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FNY Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is higher than the IGLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FNY and IGLD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FNY	IGLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55	1.06	+0.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38	0.86	-0.48
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.94	-0.38

Drawdowns

FNY vs. IGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FNY drawdown since its inception was -38.91%, which is greater than IGLD's maximum drawdown of -18.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FNY and IGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	FNY	IGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.91%	-18.59%	-20.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.01%	-17.56%	+5.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.97%	-17.56%	-7.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.94%	-18.59%	-15.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.91%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.03%	-15.16%	+14.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.60%	-5.24%	-2.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.30%	6.43%	-3.13%

Volatility

FNY vs. IGLD - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Mid Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FNY) has a higher volatility of 6.61% compared to FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) at 5.12%. This indicates that FNY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IGLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FNY	IGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.61%	5.12%	+1.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.04%	21.01%	-5.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.91%	23.24%	-3.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.30%	15.17%	+7.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.34%	15.00%	+7.34%

FNY vs. IGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

FNY has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is lower than IGLD's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

FNY vs. IGLD - Dividend Comparison

FNY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.03%, less than IGLD's 17.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FNY First Trust Mid Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	0.03%	0.03%	0.56%	0.24%	0.24%	0.00%	0.25%	0.28%	0.06%	0.21%	0.60%	0.46%
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

Can I hold both FNY and IGLD in my portfolio?

FNY and IGLD have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FNY or IGLD?

FNY has higher volatility (6.61%) compared to IGLD (5.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FNY dropped -38.91% vs IGLD's -18.59%.

Which ETF is better, FNY or IGLD?

On 5-year performance, IGLD leads with 13.02% vs 8.42% for FNY. On fees, FNY is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, IGLD has been the lower-risk option at 5.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FNY or IGLD?

Over the 5-year period, IGLD has performed better with a 13.02% return vs 8.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FNY or IGLD?

FNY is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for IGLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FNY or IGLD?

IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 17.92%, compared with 0.03% for FNY.

What is the main difference between FNY and IGLD?

FNY is categorized as Mid Cap Growth Equities, while IGLD is Precious Metals. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for FNY and 0.85% for IGLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FNY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 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.