FTAG vs. VEGI

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FTAG (First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF) and VEGI (iShares MSCI Agriculture Producers ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTAG is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Indxx Global Agriculture Index, while VEGI is a Natural Resources fund tracking the MSCI ACWI Select Agriculture Producers Investable Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTAG returned 5.40%/yr vs 8.64%/yr for VEGI. Their 0.62 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FTAG charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for VEGI.

Performance

FTAG vs. VEGI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTAG achieves a 11.55% return, which is significantly lower than VEGI's 15.49% return. Over the past 10 years, FTAG has underperformed VEGI with an annualized return of 5.40%, while VEGI has yielded a comparatively higher 8.64% annualized return.

FTAG

• 1D: -2.10%
• 1M: -1.11%
• 6M: 3.82%
• YTD: 11.55%
• 1Y: 13.22%
• 3Y*: 2.62%
• 5Y*: 1.86%
• 10Y*: 5.40%
• ALL TIME*: -8.10%

VEGI

• 1D: -2.47%
• 1M: -0.02%
• 6M: 4.67%
• YTD: 15.49%
• 1Y: 13.43%
• 3Y*: 4.25%
• 5Y*: 4.64%
• 10Y*: 8.64%
• ALL TIME*: 5.87%

*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)
FTAG First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF	$71.78K	$63.89K	$178.26K
VEGI iShares MSCI Agriculture Producers ETF	$2.81M	$2.23M	$2.37M

FTAG vs. VEGI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTAG First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF	11.55%	14.82%	-6.72%	-7.28%	-4.52%	17.31%	13.88%	9.05%	-19.46%	24.88%
VEGI iShares MSCI Agriculture Producers ETF	15.49%	11.34%	-4.85%	-8.59%	6.34%	21.56%	20.06%	13.52%	-9.76%	19.79%

Correlation

The correlation between FTAG and VEGI is 0.85, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2012	0.62

Over the past year, FTAG and VEGI have become more correlated (0.85) than their long-term average of 0.62, meaning their price movements have been converging.

FTAG vs. VEGI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTAG	VEGI
Basic Materials	52.5%	30.5%
Industrials	25.4%	39.2%
Healthcare	10.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	7.6%	30.3%
Consumer Cyclical	4.5%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FTAG vs. VEGI — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTAG

FTAG Risk / Return Rank: 33
FTAG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
FTAG Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
FTAG Omega Ratio Rank: 31
FTAG Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
FTAG Martin Ratio Rank: 30

VEGI

VEGI Risk / Return Rank: 32
VEGI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
VEGI Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
VEGI Omega Ratio Rank: 28
VEGI Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
VEGI Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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. VEGI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG) and iShares MSCI Agriculture Producers ETF (VEGI). 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	VEGI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.83	0.74	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.27	1.16	+0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.14	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.24	1.33	-0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.74	2.81	-0.08

FTAG vs. VEGI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTAG Sharpe Ratio is 0.83, which is comparable to the VEGI Sharpe Ratio of 0.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTAG and VEGI, 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. VEGI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTAG drawdown since its inception was -90.89%, which is greater than VEGI's maximum drawdown of -37.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTAG and VEGI.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTAG	VEGI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.89%	-37.37%	-53.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.56%	-8.61%	-0.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.74%	-16.39%	-4.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.77%	-28.86%	-3.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.79%	-37.37%	-13.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-78.42%	-5.54%	-72.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-71.30%	-9.77%	-61.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.33%	4.07%	+0.26%

Volatility

FTAG vs. VEGI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG) is 4.15%, while iShares MSCI Agriculture Producers ETF (VEGI) has a volatility of 5.36%. This indicates that FTAG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEGI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTAG	VEGI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.15%	5.36%	-1.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.27%	12.40%	-1.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.31%	15.42%	-1.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.42%	17.87%	-0.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.44%	18.87%	+0.57%

FTAG vs. VEGI - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTAG has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than VEGI's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTAG vs. VEGI - Dividend Comparison

FTAG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.30%, less than VEGI's 1.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTAG First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF	1.30%	1.39%	2.89%	3.68%	1.77%	1.58%	1.72%	2.33%	2.16%	1.26%	0.61%	1.35%
VEGI iShares MSCI Agriculture Producers ETF	1.94%	2.33%	2.62%	2.54%	1.49%	1.46%	1.55%	1.84%	2.02%	1.75%	2.13%	2.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTAG and VEGI in my portfolio?

FTAG and VEGI have a correlation of 0.85, 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 VEGI?

VEGI has higher volatility (5.36%) compared to FTAG (4.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTAG dropped -90.89% vs VEGI's -37.37%.

Which ETF is better, FTAG or VEGI?

On 10-year performance, VEGI leads with 8.64% vs 5.40% for FTAG. On fees, VEGI is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, FTAG has been the lower-risk option at 4.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTAG or VEGI?

Over the 10-year period, VEGI has performed better with a 8.64% return vs 5.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTAG or VEGI?

VEGI is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for FTAG.

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

VEGI has the higher dividend yield at 1.94%, compared with 1.30% for FTAG.

What is the main difference between FTAG and VEGI?

FTAG is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while VEGI is Natural Resources. FTAG tracks Indxx Global Agriculture Index, while VEGI tracks MSCI ACWI Select Agriculture Producers Investable Market Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for FTAG and 0.39% for VEGI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTAG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.83 vs 0.74), 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.