FTA vs. IGLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTA (First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund) and IGLD (FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTA is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Value Index, while IGLD is a Precious Metals fund actively managed by First Trust. FTA is passively managed, while IGLD is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, FTA returned 9.07%/yr vs 13.02%/yr for IGLD. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FTA charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for IGLD.

Performance

FTA vs. IGLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) 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, FTA achieves a 10.98% return, which is significantly higher than IGLD's 1.69% return.

FTA

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: 1.61%
• YTD: 10.98%
• 6M: 11.99%
• 1Y: 26.91%
• 3Y*: 16.27%
• 5Y*: 9.07%
• 10Y*: 11.03%

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)

FTA vs. IGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	10.98%	14.94%	10.13%	10.08%	-3.73%	17.73%
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 FTA and IGLD is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.12
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 4, 2021	0.12

Return for Risk

FTA vs. IGLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTA

FTA Risk / Return Rank: 77
FTA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
FTA Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
FTA Omega Ratio Rank: 67
FTA Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
FTA Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

FTA vs. IGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) 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.

	FTA	IGLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.34	1.06	+1.28
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.48	1.47	+2.01
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.22	+0.19
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.26	1.40	+3.86
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.76	3.82	+12.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTA vs. IGLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTA Sharpe Ratio is 2.34, which is higher than the IGLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTA 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

	FTA	IGLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.34	1.06	+1.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.86	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.94	-0.56

Drawdowns

FTA vs. IGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTA drawdown since its inception was -62.45%, which is greater than IGLD's maximum drawdown of -18.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTA and IGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTA	IGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.45%	-18.59%	-43.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.13%	-17.56%	+12.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.73%	-17.56%	-1.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.80%	-18.59%	-1.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.97%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.68%	-15.16%	+14.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.04%	-5.24%	-3.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.61%	6.43%	-4.82%

Volatility

FTA vs. IGLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) is 2.63%, while FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) has a volatility of 5.12%. This indicates that FTA 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.

Volatility by Period

	FTA	IGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.63%	5.12%	-2.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.44%	21.01%	-13.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.56%	23.24%	-11.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.26%	15.17%	+1.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.96%	15.00%	+4.96%

FTA vs. IGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTA has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than IGLD's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTA vs. IGLD - Dividend Comparison

FTA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.68%, less than IGLD's 17.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	1.68%	1.89%	2.02%	2.10%	2.15%	1.54%	2.03%	1.88%	2.28%	1.53%	1.56%	2.05%
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 FTA and IGLD in my portfolio?

FTA and IGLD have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTA or IGLD?

IGLD has higher volatility (5.12%) compared to FTA (2.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTA dropped -62.45% vs IGLD's -18.59%.

Which ETF is better, FTA or IGLD?

On 5-year performance, IGLD leads with 13.02% vs 9.07% for FTA. On fees, FTA is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FTA has been the lower-risk option at 2.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTA or IGLD?

Over the 5-year period, IGLD has performed better with a 13.02% return vs 9.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTA or IGLD?

FTA is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for IGLD.

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

IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 17.92%, compared with 1.68% for FTA.

What is the main difference between FTA and IGLD?

FTA is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while IGLD is Precious Metals. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTA and 0.85% for IGLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 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.