FTGC vs. VTWAX

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

FTGC (First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund) and VTWAX (Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - FTGC is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust, while VTWAX is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap Index. FTGC is actively managed, while VTWAX is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FTGC returned 12.04%/yr vs 10.51%/yr for VTWAX. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FTGC charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VTWAX.

Performance

FTGC vs. VTWAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) and Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTGC achieves a 21.85% return, which is significantly higher than VTWAX's 10.38% return.

FTGC

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: -6.23%
• YTD: 21.85%
• 6M: 22.43%
• 1Y: 30.18%
• 3Y*: 15.83%
• 5Y*: 12.04%
• 10Y*: 7.24%

VTWAX

• 1D: 2.34%
• 1M: 1.21%
• YTD: 10.38%
• 6M: 11.15%
• 1Y: 26.61%
• 3Y*: 19.75%
• 5Y*: 10.51%
• 10Y*: —

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

FTGC vs. VTWAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
FTGC First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund	21.85%	14.61%	9.96%	-5.36%	17.36%	27.95%	2.17%	1.66%
VTWAX Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	10.38%	22.43%	16.43%	21.85%	-18.02%	18.17%	16.67%	17.53%

Correlation

The correlation between FTGC and VTWAX is -0.00, 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	-0.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 7, 2019	0.30

The correlation between FTGC and VTWAX shifts across timeframes, from -0.00 (1 year) to 0.30 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FTGC vs. VTWAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTGC

FTGC Risk / Return Rank: 75
FTGC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
FTGC Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
FTGC Omega Ratio Rank: 72
FTGC Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
FTGC Martin Ratio Rank: 74

VTWAX

VTWAX Risk / Return Rank: 72
VTWAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VTWAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VTWAX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VTWAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
VTWAX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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. VTWAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) and Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX). 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	VTWAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	1.97	+0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.76	2.69	+0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.36	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.82	2.66	+1.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.11	11.61	+0.50

FTGC vs. VTWAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTGC Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is comparable to the VTWAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTGC and VTWAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FTGC vs. VTWAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTGC drawdown since its inception was -59.47%, which is greater than VTWAX's maximum drawdown of -34.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTGC and VTWAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTGC	VTWAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.47%	-34.20%	-25.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.63%	-9.64%	+1.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.39%	-16.43%	+6.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.64%	-26.40%	+3.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.91%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.63%	-2.45%	-6.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-27.37%	-5.29%	-22.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.71%	2.21%	+0.50%

Volatility

FTGC vs. VTWAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) is 3.63%, while Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX) has a volatility of 5.19%. This indicates that FTGC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTWAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTGC	VTWAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.63%	5.19%	-1.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.30%	10.71%	+2.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.78%	13.07%	+2.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.97%	15.82%	+0.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.72%	18.23%	-3.51%

FTGC vs. VTWAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTGC has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than VTWAX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTGC vs. VTWAX - Dividend Comparison

FTGC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 15.73%, more than VTWAX's 1.59% yield.

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%
VTWAX Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.59%	1.80%	1.92%	2.06%	2.17%	1.79%	1.64%	2.28%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTGC and VTWAX in my portfolio?

FTGC and VTWAX have a correlation of -0.00, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTGC or VTWAX?

VTWAX has higher volatility (5.19%) compared to FTGC (3.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTGC dropped -59.47% vs VTWAX's -34.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTGC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.97), 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.