FTAG vs. EQL

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

FTAG (First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF) and EQL (ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - FTAG tracks the Indxx Global Agriculture Index while EQL tracks the NYSE Equal Sector Weight Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTAG returned 5.51%/yr vs 12.48%/yr for EQL. Their 0.56 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FTAG charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for EQL.

Performance

FTAG vs. EQL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG) and ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with FTAG having a 12.70% return and EQL slightly lower at 12.64%. Over the past 10 years, FTAG has underperformed EQL with an annualized return of 5.51%, while EQL has yielded a comparatively higher 12.48% annualized return.

FTAG

• 1D: 1.22%
• 1M: -0.09%
• 6M: 2.33%
• YTD: 12.70%
• 1Y: 13.58%
• 3Y*: 3.54%
• 5Y*: 2.30%
• 10Y*: 5.51%
• ALL TIME*: -8.03%

EQL

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: 2.06%
• 6M: 8.10%
• YTD: 12.64%
• 1Y: 19.11%
• 3Y*: 15.97%
• 5Y*: 10.91%
• 10Y*: 12.48%
• ALL TIME*: 13.59%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EQL ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF	$3.30M	$2.87M	$2.73M
FTAG First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF	$83.65K	$66.15K	$180.76K

FTAG vs. EQL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTAG First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF	12.70%	14.82%	-6.72%	-7.28%	-4.52%	17.31%	13.88%	9.05%	-19.46%	24.88%
EQL ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF	12.64%	13.09%	16.44%	16.87%	-10.72%	29.32%	10.87%	27.87%	-6.12%	18.37%

Correlation

The correlation between FTAG and EQL is 0.56, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.67
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 12, 2010	0.56

The correlation between FTAG and EQL shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (1 year) to 0.67 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FTAG vs. EQL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTAG	EQL
Basic Materials	52.5%	8.0%
Industrials	25.4%	9.3%
Healthcare	10.0%	9.4%
Consumer Defensive	7.6%	8.8%
Consumer Cyclical	4.5%	9.6%
Communication Services	-	8.9%
Energy	-	8.7%
Financial Services	-	9.1%
Real Estate	-	8.7%
Technology	-	10.2%
Utilities	-	9.4%

Return for Risk

FTAG vs. EQL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FTAG

FTAG Risk / Return Rank: 34
FTAG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
FTAG Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
FTAG Omega Ratio Rank: 33
FTAG Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
FTAG Martin Ratio Rank: 31

EQL

EQL Risk / Return Rank: 79
EQL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
EQL Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
EQL Omega Ratio Rank: 79
EQL Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
EQL Martin Ratio Rank: 82

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FTAG vs. EQL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG) and ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL). 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.

	FTAG	EQL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.95	2.04	-1.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.45	2.84	-1.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.37	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.43	3.10	-1.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.13	12.14	-9.01

FTAG vs. EQL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTAG Sharpe Ratio is 0.95, which is lower than the EQL Sharpe Ratio of 2.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTAG and EQL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FTAG vs. EQL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTAG drawdown since its inception was -90.89%, which is greater than EQL's maximum drawdown of -35.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTAG and EQL.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTAG	EQL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.89%	-35.65%	-55.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.56%	-6.19%	-3.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.74%	-15.07%	-5.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.77%	-19.24%	-13.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.79%	-35.65%	-15.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-78.20%	0.00%	-78.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-71.30%	-3.23%	-68.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.34%	1.58%	+2.76%

Volatility

FTAG vs. EQL - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG) has a higher volatility of 3.83% compared to ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL) at 2.39%. This indicates that FTAG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EQL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTAG	EQL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.83%	2.39%	+1.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.27%	7.12%	+4.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.30%	9.48%	+4.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.42%	14.52%	+2.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.45%	16.50%	+2.95%

FTAG vs. EQL - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTAG has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than EQL's 0.27% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTAG vs. EQL - Dividend Comparison

FTAG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.29%, less than EQL's 1.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EQL ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF	1.33%	1.73%	1.78%	1.96%	2.14%	1.69%	2.29%	1.95%	2.39%	1.97%	2.89%	2.07%
FTAG First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF	1.29%	1.39%	2.89%	3.68%	1.77%	1.58%	1.72%	2.33%	2.16%	1.26%	0.61%	1.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTAG and EQL in my portfolio?

FTAG and EQL have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTAG or EQL?

FTAG has higher volatility (3.83%) compared to EQL (2.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTAG dropped -90.89% vs EQL's -35.65%.

Which ETF is better, FTAG or EQL?

On 10-year performance, EQL leads with 12.48% vs 5.51% for FTAG. On fees, EQL is cheaper at 0.27% per year. On volatility, EQL has been the lower-risk option at 2.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTAG or EQL?

Over the 10-year period, EQL has performed better with a 12.48% return vs 5.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTAG or EQL?

EQL is cheaper with a 0.27% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for FTAG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTAG or EQL?

EQL has the higher dividend yield at 1.33%, compared with 1.29% for FTAG.

What is the main difference between FTAG and EQL?

FTAG tracks Indxx Global Agriculture Index, while EQL tracks NYSE Equal Sector Weight Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and SS&C. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for FTAG and 0.27% for EQL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EQL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.04 vs 0.95), 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.