FTGC vs. XLE
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 7.15%/yr vs 9.37%/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
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTGC achieves a 18.86% return, which is significantly lower than XLE's 23.49% return. Over the past 10 years, FTGC has underperformed XLE with an annualized return of 7.15%, while XLE has yielded a comparatively higher 9.37% annualized return.
FTGC
- 1D
- -1.14%
- 1M
- -7.37%
- YTD
- 18.86%
- 6M
- 17.54%
- 1Y
- 28.18%
- 3Y*
- 14.26%
- 5Y*
- 12.29%
- 10Y*
- 7.15%
XLE
- 1D
- 0.74%
- 1M
- -7.80%
- YTD
- 23.49%
- 6M
- 24.07%
- 1Y
- 30.55%
- 3Y*
- 15.73%
- 5Y*
- 18.87%
- 10Y*
- 9.37%
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 | 18.86% | 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 | 23.49% | 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 | 0.51 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.58 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.52 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 23, 2013 | 0.51 |
The correlation between FTGC and XLE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.58 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
FTGC vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank
FTGC
XLE
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.
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 | XLE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.34 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.46 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.25 | +0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.60 | 2.18 | +0.42 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.67 | 6.53 | +3.14 |
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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.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FTGC | XLE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -59.47% | -71.26% | +11.79% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.87% | -14.05% | +3.18% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -10.87% | -20.14% | +9.27% |
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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -10.87% | -12.32% | +1.45% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -27.34% | -17.96% | -9.38% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.94% | 4.69% | -1.75% |
Volatility
FTGC vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) is 3.07%, while State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) has a volatility of 7.12%. 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.
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Volatility by Period
| FTGC | XLE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.07% | 7.12% | -4.05% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.21% | 16.82% | -3.61% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.70% | 20.93% | -5.23% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.87% | 25.98% | -10.11% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 14.71% | 29.60% | -14.89% |
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 16.13%, more than XLE's 2.79% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTGC First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund | 16.13% | 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 | 2.79% | 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
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.
XLE has higher volatility (7.12%) compared to FTGC (3.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTGC dropped -59.47% vs XLE's -71.26%.
On 10-year performance, XLE leads with 9.37% vs 7.15% for FTGC. On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, FTGC has been the lower-risk option at 3.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, XLE has performed better with a 9.37% return vs 7.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
XLE is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FTGC.
FTGC has the higher dividend yield at 16.13%, compared with 2.79% for 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.
FTGC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 1.48), 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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