FTGC vs. GLD
FTGC (First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - FTGC is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust, while GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. FTGC is actively managed, while GLD is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTGC returned 7.29%/yr vs 11.48%/yr for GLD. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FTGC charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GLD.
Performance
FTGC vs. GLD - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTGC achieves a 23.17% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's -4.87% return. Over the past 10 years, FTGC has underperformed GLD with an annualized return of 7.29%, while GLD has yielded a comparatively higher 11.48% annualized return.
FTGC
- 1D
- -0.11%
- 1M
- 0.98%
- 6M
- 21.09%
- YTD
- 23.17%
- 1Y
- 31.25%
- 3Y*
- 15.14%
- 5Y*
- 12.87%
- 10Y*
- 7.29%
GLD
- 1D
- -0.31%
- 1M
- -2.41%
- 6M
- -9.04%
- YTD
- -4.87%
- 1Y
- 21.95%
- 3Y*
- 28.08%
- 5Y*
- 17.38%
- 10Y*
- 11.48%
FTGC vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTGC First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund | 23.17% | 14.61% | 9.96% | -5.36% | 17.36% | 27.95% | 2.17% | 6.40% | -12.75% | 2.73% |
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | -4.87% | 63.68% | 26.66% | 12.69% | -0.77% | -4.15% | 24.81% | 17.86% | -1.94% | 12.81% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTGC and GLD is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.42 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 23, 2013 | 0.33 |
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
FTGC vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank
FTGC
GLD
FTGC vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD). 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.
| FTGC | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.26 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.62 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.37 | 1.17 | +0.20 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.67 | 0.89 | +1.79 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.04 | 2.19 | +6.85 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
FTGC vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTGC drawdown since its inception was -59.47%, which is greater than GLD's maximum drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTGC and GLD.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| FTGC | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -59.47% | -45.56% | -13.91% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.34% | -26.21% | +13.87% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.34% | -26.21% | +13.87% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.64% | -26.21% | +3.57% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.91% | -26.21% | -9.70% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -7.64% | -23.97% | +16.33% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -27.27% | -16.18% | -11.09% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.64% | 10.56% | -6.92% |
Volatility
FTGC vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) is 4.13%, while SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has a volatility of 8.27%. This indicates that FTGC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| FTGC | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.13% | 8.27% | -4.14% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.34% | 24.05% | -10.71% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.76% | 27.78% | -12.02% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.86% | 18.34% | -2.48% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 14.71% | 16.08% | -1.37% |
FTGC vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTGC has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.
Dividends
FTGC vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison
FTGC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 15.73%, while GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTGC First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund | 15.73% | 17.74% | 3.05% | 3.34% | 10.35% | 7.21% | 0.00% | 0.81% | 0.80% | 1.21% |
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FTGC and GLD have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GLD has higher volatility (8.27%) compared to FTGC (4.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTGC dropped -59.47% vs GLD's -45.56%.
On 10-year performance, GLD leads with 11.48% vs 7.29% for FTGC. On fees, GLD is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, FTGC has been the lower-risk option at 4.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, GLD has performed better with a 11.48% return vs 7.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GLD is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FTGC.
FTGC has the higher dividend yield at 15.73%, compared with 0.00% for GLD.
FTGC is categorized as Commodities, while GLD is Gold. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for FTGC and 0.40% for GLD.
FTGC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 0.84), 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.
Find the right allocation for FTGC and GLD
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer