FTAG vs. ESN

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

FTAG (First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF) and ESN (Essential 40 Stock ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - FTAG tracks the Indxx Global Agriculture Index while ESN tracks the Essential 40 Stock Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, FTAG returned 13.58% vs 29.45% for ESN. Their 0.54 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. Both charge a 0.70% expense ratio.

Performance

FTAG vs. ESN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG) and Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTAG achieves a 12.70% return, which is significantly lower than ESN's 19.34% 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%

ESN

• 1D: 1.40%
• 1M: 2.04%
• 6M: 13.37%
• YTD: 19.34%
• 1Y: 29.45%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 17.89%

*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)
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	$2.24M	$1.59M	$1.62M
FTAG First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF	$83.65K	$66.15K	$180.76K

FTAG vs. ESN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FTAG First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF	12.70%	14.82%	-6.69%
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	19.34%	16.52%	-3.53%

Correlation

The correlation between FTAG and ESN is 0.50, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2024	0.54

The correlation between FTAG and ESN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.50 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FTAG vs. ESN — 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

ESN

ESN Risk / Return Rank: 94
ESN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
ESN Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
ESN Omega Ratio Rank: 93
ESN Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
ESN Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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. ESN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG) and Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN). 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	ESN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.95	2.96	-2.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.45	4.08	-2.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.52	-0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.43	4.61	-3.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.13	18.48	-15.35

FTAG vs. ESN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTAG Sharpe Ratio is 0.95, which is lower than the ESN Sharpe Ratio of 2.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTAG and ESN, 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. ESN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTAG drawdown since its inception was -90.89%, which is greater than ESN's maximum drawdown of -13.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTAG and ESN.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTAG	ESN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.89%	-13.60%	-77.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.56%	-6.42%	-3.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.74%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.77%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.79%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-78.20%	0.00%	-78.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-71.30%	-1.80%	-69.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.34%	1.60%	+2.74%

Volatility

FTAG vs. ESN - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG) has a higher volatility of 3.83% compared to Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN) at 3.02%. This indicates that FTAG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ESN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTAG	ESN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.83%	3.02%	+0.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.27%	7.60%	+3.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.30%	10.03%	+4.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.42%	13.06%	+4.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.45%	13.06%	+6.39%

FTAG vs. ESN - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both FTAG and ESN have an expense ratio of 0.70%.

Dividends

FTAG vs. ESN - Dividend Comparison

FTAG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.29%, more than ESN's 0.76% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	0.76%	0.91%	0.76%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 ESN in my portfolio?

FTAG and ESN have a correlation of 0.50, 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 ESN?

FTAG has higher volatility (3.83%) compared to ESN (3.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTAG dropped -90.89% vs ESN's -13.60%.

Which ETF is better, FTAG or ESN?

On 1-year performance, ESN leads with 29.45% vs 13.58% for FTAG. Both ETFs have the same 0.70% expense ratio. On volatility, ESN has been the lower-risk option at 3.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTAG or ESN?

Over the 1-year period, ESN has performed better with a 29.45% return vs 13.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTAG or ESN?

FTAG and ESN have the same expense ratio: 0.70% per year.

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

FTAG has the higher dividend yield at 1.29%, compared with 0.76% for ESN.

What is the main difference between FTAG and ESN?

FTAG tracks Indxx Global Agriculture Index, while ESN tracks Essential 40 Stock Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and KKM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.96 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.