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FTGC vs. QQQ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FTGC vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTGC (First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTGC is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. FTGC is actively managed, while QQQ is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTGC returned 7.77%/yr vs 21.94%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.19 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FTGC charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

FTGC vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTGC achieves a 27.15% return, which is significantly higher than QQQ's 21.30% return. Over the past 10 years, FTGC has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 7.77%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.94% annualized return.

FTGC

1D
-0.44%
1M
-2.63%
YTD
27.15%
6M
26.06%
1Y
41.32%
3Y*
18.13%
5Y*
13.08%
10Y*
7.77%

QQQ

1D
-0.26%
1M
10.60%
YTD
21.30%
6M
19.66%
1Y
41.82%
3Y*
28.78%
5Y*
17.97%
10Y*
21.94%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FTGC vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FTGC
First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund		27.15%14.61%9.96%-5.36%17.36%27.95%2.17%6.40%-12.75%2.73%
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		21.30%20.77%25.58%54.86%-32.58%27.42%48.62%38.96%-0.13%32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between FTGC and QQQ is -0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

-0.04

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.10

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.14

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.21

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2013

0.19

The correlation between FTGC and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from -0.04 (1 year) to 0.21 (10 years), 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.

First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund

Invesco QQQ ETF

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Return for Risk

FTGC vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FTGC
FTGC Risk / Return Rank: 8181
Overall Rank
FTGC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8181
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FTGC Sortino Ratio Rank: 7575
Sortino Ratio Rank
FTGC Omega Ratio Rank: 7777
Omega Ratio Rank
FTGC Calmar Ratio Rank: 8888
Calmar Ratio Rank
FTGC Martin Ratio Rank: 8484
Martin Ratio Rank
QQQ
QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 7373
Overall Rank
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7979
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 7575
Sortino Ratio Rank
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 7474
Omega Ratio Rank
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 6969
Calmar Ratio Rank
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 7171
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

FTGC vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). 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.

FTGCQQQDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

2.66

2.64

+0.03

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

3.43

3.45

-0.02

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.47

1.45

+0.01

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

5.25

3.51

+1.74

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

17.39

13.49

+3.89

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTGC vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTGC Sharpe Ratio is 2.66, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTGC and QQQ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

FTGCQQQDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.66

2.64

+0.03

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.82

0.81

+0.02

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.53

0.99

-0.46

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.24

0.41

-0.17

Drawdowns

FTGC vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTGC drawdown since its inception was -59.47%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTGC and QQQ.

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Drawdown Indicators

FTGCQQQDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-59.47%

-82.97%

+23.50%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.91%

-11.96%

+4.05%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-10.39%

-22.77%

+12.38%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-22.64%

-35.12%

+12.48%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-35.91%

-35.12%

-0.79%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-4.65%

-0.26%

-4.39%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-27.42%

-32.79%

+5.37%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.38%

3.11%

-0.73%

Volatility

FTGC vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) have volatilities of 4.50% and 4.49%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

FTGCQQQDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.50%

4.49%

+0.01%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.15%

12.10%

+1.05%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.59%

15.94%

-0.35%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.00%

22.38%

-6.38%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

14.71%

22.29%

-7.58%

FTGC vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTGC has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTGC vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

FTGC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 15.08%, more than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FTGC
First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund		15.08%17.74%3.05%3.34%10.35%7.21%0.00%0.81%0.80%1.21%0.00%0.00%
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		0.38%0.45%0.56%0.62%0.80%0.43%0.55%0.74%0.91%0.84%1.06%0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

FTGC and QQQ have a correlation of -0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

FTGC has higher volatility (4.50%) compared to QQQ (4.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTGC dropped -59.47% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.94% vs 7.77% for FTGC. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 21.94% return vs 7.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FTGC.

FTGC has the higher dividend yield at 15.08%, compared with 0.38% for QQQ.

FTGC is categorized as Commodities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for FTGC and 0.18% for QQQ.

FTGC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.66 vs 2.64), 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.

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