FTGC vs. STAX
FTGC (First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund) and STAX (Macquarie Tax-Free USA Short Term ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTGC is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust, while STAX is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by Macquarie. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, FTGC returned 39.60% vs 2.29% for STAX. Their -0.16 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. FTGC charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for STAX.
Performance
FTGC vs. STAX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTGC achieves a 27.22% return, which is significantly higher than STAX's 1.05% return.
FTGC
- 1D
- 0.03%
- 1M
- 6.75%
- 6M
- 16.44%
- YTD
- 27.22%
- 1Y
- 39.60%
- 3Y*
- 14.53%
- 5Y*
- 12.93%
- 10Y*
- 8.01%
- ALL TIME*
- 3.31%
STAX
- 1D
- -0.01%
- 1M
- -0.54%
- 6M
- 0.27%
- YTD
- 1.05%
- 1Y
- 2.29%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 3.42%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15.55M | $14.47M | $23.37M | |
| $56.10K | $67.88K | $173.24K |
FTGC vs. STAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
FTGC First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund | 27.22% | 14.61% | 9.96% | -3.28% |
STAX Macquarie Tax-Free USA Short Term ETF | 1.05% | 4.12% | 2.55% | 1.39% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTGC and STAX is -0.27, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.27 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 29, 2023 | -0.16 |
The correlation between FTGC and STAX shifts across timeframes, from -0.27 (1 year) to -0.16 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FTGC vs. STAX — Risk / Return Rank
FTGC
STAX
FTGC vs. STAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) and Macquarie Tax-Free USA Short Term ETF (STAX). 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 | STAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.15 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.31 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.52 | -0.09 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.14 | 2.47 | +0.67 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.32 | 7.48 | +2.84 |
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Drawdowns
FTGC vs. STAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTGC drawdown since its inception was -59.47%, which is greater than STAX's maximum drawdown of -1.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTGC and STAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FTGC | STAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -59.47% | -1.42% | -58.05% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.34% | -1.05% | -11.29% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.34% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.64% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.91% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.60% | -0.54% | -4.06% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -27.17% | -0.23% | -26.94% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.75% | 0.35% | +3.40% |
Volatility
FTGC vs. STAX - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) has a higher volatility of 4.34% compared to Macquarie Tax-Free USA Short Term ETF (STAX) at 0.41%. This indicates that FTGC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than STAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FTGC | STAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.34% | 0.41% | +3.93% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.35% | 0.94% | +12.41% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.87% | 1.13% | +14.74% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.71% | 1.39% | +14.32% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 14.73% | 1.39% | +13.34% |
FTGC vs. STAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTGC has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than STAX's 0.29% expense ratio.
Dividends
FTGC vs. STAX - Dividend Comparison
FTGC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 15.23%, more than STAX's 3.18% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTGC First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund | 15.23% | 17.74% | 3.05% | 3.34% | 10.35% | 7.21% | 0.00% | 0.81% | 0.80% | 1.21% |
STAX Macquarie Tax-Free USA Short Term ETF | 3.18% | 3.16% | 3.43% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FTGC and STAX have a correlation of -0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FTGC has higher volatility (4.34%) compared to STAX (0.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTGC dropped -59.47% vs STAX's -1.42%.
On 1-year performance, FTGC leads with 39.60% vs 2.29% for STAX. On fees, STAX is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, STAX has been the lower-risk option at 0.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, FTGC has performed better with a 39.60% return vs 2.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
STAX is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FTGC.
FTGC has the higher dividend yield at 15.23%, compared with 3.18% for STAX.
FTGC is categorized as Commodities, while STAX is Municipal Bonds. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Macquarie. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for FTGC and 0.29% for STAX.
FTGC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 2.29), 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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