FTCB vs. VGVT

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FTCB (First Trust Core Investment Grade ETF) and VGVT (Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF) are both Intermediate Core Bond funds. Both are actively managed. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FTCB charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VGVT.

Performance

FTCB vs. VGVT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Core Investment Grade ETF (FTCB) and Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF (VGVT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTCB achieves a 0.36% return, which is significantly higher than VGVT's 0.25% return.

FTCB

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.02%
• YTD: 0.36%
• 6M: 0.52%
• 1Y: 6.13%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VGVT

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.02%
• YTD: 0.25%
• 6M: 0.34%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FTCB vs. VGVT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FTCB First Trust Core Investment Grade ETF	0.36%	4.17%
VGVT Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF	0.25%	3.28%

Correlation

The correlation between FTCB and VGVT is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 10, 2025	0.87

Return for Risk

FTCB vs. VGVT — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTCB

FTCB Risk / Return Rank: 41
FTCB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
FTCB Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
FTCB Omega Ratio Rank: 41
FTCB Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
FTCB Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

FTCB vs. VGVT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Core Investment Grade ETF (FTCB) and Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF (VGVT). 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.

	FTCB	VGVT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.52	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.26	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.91	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.99	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FTCB	VGVT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.52	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.27	1.23	+0.04

Drawdowns

FTCB vs. VGVT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTCB drawdown since its inception was -4.99%, which is greater than VGVT's maximum drawdown of -2.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTCB and VGVT.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTCB	VGVT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.99%	-2.77%	-2.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.04%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.53%	-1.61%	+0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.26%	-0.66%	-0.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.97%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	FTCB	VGVT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.36%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.92%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.05%	3.23%	+0.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.20%	3.23%	+1.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.20%	3.23%	+1.97%

FTCB vs. VGVT - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTCB has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than VGVT's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTCB vs. VGVT - Dividend Comparison

FTCB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.30%, more than VGVT's 3.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
FTCB First Trust Core Investment Grade ETF	5.30%	4.99%	5.19%	0.35%
VGVT Vanguard Government Securities Active ETF	3.98%	2.29%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTCB and VGVT in my portfolio?

FTCB and VGVT have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, FTCB or VGVT?

On fees, VGVT is cheaper at 0.10% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTCB or VGVT?

VGVT is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for FTCB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTCB or VGVT?

FTCB has the higher dividend yield at 5.30%, compared with 3.98% for VGVT.

What is the main difference between FTCB and VGVT?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for FTCB and 0.10% for VGVT.