FTGC vs. XLE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTGC (First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund) and XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTGC is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust, while XLE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index. FTGC is actively managed, while XLE is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTGC returned 7.77%/yr vs 10.22%/yr for XLE. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FTGC charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLE.

Performance

FTGC vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTGC achieves a 27.15% return, which is significantly lower than XLE's 32.17% return. Over the past 10 years, FTGC has underperformed XLE with an annualized return of 7.77%, while XLE has yielded a comparatively higher 10.22% 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%

XLE

• 1D: 1.29%
• 1M: -1.14%
• YTD: 32.17%
• 6M: 29.80%
• 1Y: 45.00%
• 3Y*: 17.46%
• 5Y*: 20.44%
• 10Y*: 10.22%

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

FTGC vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	32.17%	7.88%	5.56%	-0.63%	64.32%	53.28%	-32.67%	11.74%	-18.22%	-0.89%

Correlation

The correlation between FTGC and XLE is 0.55, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.55
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2013	0.51

The correlation between FTGC and XLE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.57 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FTGC vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTGC

FTGC Risk / Return Rank: 81
FTGC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
FTGC Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
FTGC Omega Ratio Rank: 77
FTGC Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
FTGC Martin Ratio Rank: 84

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 63
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 56
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). 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.

	FTGC	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.66	2.21	+0.46
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.43	2.84	+0.59
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.35	+0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.25	3.75	+1.50
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	17.39	10.92	+6.46
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. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTGC Sharpe Ratio is 2.66, which is comparable to the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 2.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTGC and XLE, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FTGC	XLE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.66	2.21	+0.46
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82	0.79	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.35	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.31	-0.07

Drawdowns

FTGC vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTGC drawdown since its inception was -59.47%, smaller than the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTGC and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTGC	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.47%	-71.26%	+11.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.91%	-12.05%	+4.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.39%	-20.14%	+9.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.64%	-26.04%	+3.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.91%	-66.81%	+30.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.65%	-6.15%	+1.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-27.42%	-17.98%	-9.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.38%	4.14%	-1.76%

Volatility

FTGC vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) is 4.50%, while State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) has a volatility of 8.25%. This indicates that FTGC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTGC	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.50%	8.25%	-3.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.15%	16.58%	-3.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.59%	20.53%	-4.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.00%	26.02%	-10.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.71%	29.59%	-14.88%

FTGC vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTGC has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTGC vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

FTGC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 15.08%, more than XLE's 2.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.54%	3.28%	3.36%	3.55%	3.68%	4.21%	5.62%	6.72%	3.54%	3.03%	2.26%	3.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTGC and XLE in my portfolio?

FTGC and XLE have a correlation of 0.55, 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 XLE?

XLE has higher volatility (8.25%) compared to FTGC (4.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTGC dropped -59.47% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which ETF is better, FTGC or XLE?

On 10-year performance, XLE leads with 10.22% vs 7.77% for FTGC. On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, FTGC has been the lower-risk option at 4.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTGC or XLE?

Over the 10-year period, XLE has performed better with a 10.22% return vs 7.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTGC or XLE?

XLE is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FTGC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTGC or XLE?

FTGC has the higher dividend yield at 15.08%, compared with 2.54% for XLE.

What is the main difference between FTGC and XLE?

FTGC is categorized as Commodities, while XLE is Energy Equities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for FTGC and 0.08% for XLE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTGC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.66 vs 2.21), 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.