FTGC vs. ICSH
FTGC (First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund) and ICSH (iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTGC is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust, while ICSH is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by iShares. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTGC returned 7.24%/yr vs 2.78%/yr for ICSH. At a 0.01 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FTGC charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for ICSH.
Performance
FTGC vs. ICSH - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTGC achieves a 21.85% return, which is significantly higher than ICSH's 1.53% return. Over the past 10 years, FTGC has outperformed ICSH with an annualized return of 7.24%, while ICSH has yielded a comparatively lower 2.78% annualized return.
FTGC
- 1D
- -0.10%
- 1M
- -8.39%
- YTD
- 21.85%
- 6M
- 22.43%
- 1Y
- 32.78%
- 3Y*
- 15.83%
- 5Y*
- 12.04%
- 10Y*
- 7.24%
ICSH
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.30%
- YTD
- 1.53%
- 6M
- 1.81%
- 1Y
- 4.32%
- 3Y*
- 5.16%
- 5Y*
- 3.69%
- 10Y*
- 2.78%
FTGC vs. ICSH - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTGC First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund | 21.85% | 14.61% | 9.96% | -5.36% | 17.36% | 27.95% | 2.17% | 6.40% | -12.75% | 2.73% |
ICSH iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF | 1.53% | 4.96% | 5.52% | 5.58% | 0.97% | 0.16% | 1.61% | 3.17% | 2.25% | 1.63% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTGC and ICSH is -0.12, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.12 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.06 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.03 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.01 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 13, 2013 | 0.01 |
The correlation between FTGC and ICSH shifts across timeframes, from -0.12 (1 year) to 0.01 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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. ICSH — Risk / Return Rank
FTGC
ICSH
FTGC vs. ICSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) and iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF (ICSH). 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 | ICSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -8.90 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -24.73 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.37 | 6.59 | -5.22 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.82 | 43.88 | -40.06 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.11 | 290.20 | -278.10 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
FTGC vs. ICSH - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTGC drawdown since its inception was -59.47%, which is greater than ICSH's maximum drawdown of -3.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTGC and ICSH.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| FTGC | ICSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -59.47% | -3.94% | -55.53% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.63% | -0.10% | -8.53% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -10.39% | -0.10% | -10.29% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.64% | -0.73% | -21.91% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.91% | -3.94% | -31.97% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.63% | 0.00% | -8.63% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -27.37% | -0.08% | -27.29% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.71% | 0.01% | +2.70% |
Volatility
FTGC vs. ICSH - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) has a higher volatility of 3.63% compared to iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF (ICSH) at 0.13%. This indicates that FTGC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ICSH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| FTGC | ICSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.63% | 0.13% | +3.50% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.30% | 0.29% | +13.01% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.78% | 0.39% | +15.39% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.97% | 0.48% | +15.49% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 14.72% | 1.06% | +13.66% |
FTGC vs. ICSH - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTGC has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than ICSH's 0.08% expense ratio.
Dividends
FTGC vs. ICSH - Dividend Comparison
FTGC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 15.73%, more than ICSH's 4.34% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
ICSH iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF | 4.34% | 4.55% | 5.24% | 4.78% | 1.66% | 0.42% | 1.21% | 2.61% | 2.20% | 1.36% | 0.88% | 0.54% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FTGC and ICSH have a correlation of -0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FTGC has higher volatility (3.63%) compared to ICSH (0.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTGC dropped -59.47% vs ICSH's -3.94%.
On 10-year performance, FTGC leads with 7.24% vs 2.78% for ICSH. On fees, ICSH is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, ICSH has been the lower-risk option at 0.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, FTGC has performed better with a 7.24% return vs 2.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ICSH is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FTGC.
FTGC has the higher dividend yield at 15.73%, compared with 4.34% for ICSH.
FTGC is categorized as Commodities, while ICSH is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for FTGC and 0.08% for ICSH.
ICSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (10.98 vs 2.09), 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 ICSH
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