FTHF vs. UGA

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FTHF (First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF) and UGA (United States Gasoline Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - FTHF is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the Emerging Markets Human Flourishing Index, while UGA is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Unleaded Gasoline. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, FTHF returned 99.98% vs 59.74% for UGA. At a correlation of -0.01, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.75% expense ratio.

Performance

FTHF vs. UGA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF (FTHF) and United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTHF achieves a 48.98% return, which is significantly lower than UGA's 64.09% return.

FTHF

• 1D: -6.80%
• 1M: 6.57%
• YTD: 48.98%
• 6M: 51.53%
• 1Y: 99.98%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

UGA

• 1D: -1.12%
• 1M: -12.11%
• YTD: 64.09%
• 6M: 60.42%
• 1Y: 59.74%
• 3Y*: 18.95%
• 5Y*: 22.69%
• 10Y*: 14.31%

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

FTHF vs. UGA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
FTHF First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF	48.98%	65.30%	-8.14%	18.14%
UGA United States Gasoline Fund LP	64.09%	-2.00%	3.77%	-3.91%

Correlation

The correlation between FTHF and UGA is -0.23, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 31, 2023	-0.01

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between FTHF and UGA has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.01 to -0.23, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.

Return for Risk

FTHF vs. UGA — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTHF

FTHF Risk / Return Rank: 87
FTHF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
FTHF Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
FTHF Omega Ratio Rank: 89
FTHF Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
FTHF Martin Ratio Rank: 86

UGA

UGA Risk / Return Rank: 55
UGA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
UGA Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
UGA Omega Ratio Rank: 49
UGA Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
UGA Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

FTHF vs. UGA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF (FTHF) and United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA). 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.

	FTHF	UGA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.79	1.73	+1.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	2.25	+0.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.30	+0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.16	3.17	+3.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.85	9.39	+7.46

FTHF vs. UGA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTHF Sharpe Ratio is 2.79, which is higher than the UGA Sharpe Ratio of 1.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTHF and UGA, 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

FTHF vs. UGA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTHF drawdown since its inception was -17.36%, smaller than the maximum UGA drawdown of -86.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTHF and UGA.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTHF	UGA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.36%	-86.59%	+69.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.31%	-18.96%	+2.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-26.68%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-38.11%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-75.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.80%	-18.05%	+11.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.22%	-36.69%	+32.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.95%	6.43%	-0.48%

Volatility

FTHF vs. UGA - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF (FTHF) has a higher volatility of 17.38% compared to United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA) at 9.24%. This indicates that FTHF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than UGA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTHF	UGA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.38%	9.24%	+8.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.89%	30.57%	-1.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	36.06%	35.22%	+0.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.89%	34.45%	-7.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.89%	37.22%	-10.33%

FTHF vs. UGA - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both FTHF and UGA have an expense ratio of 0.75%.

Dividends

FTHF vs. UGA - Dividend Comparison

FTHF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.03%, while UGA has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
FTHF First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF	3.03%	4.40%	3.34%	0.51%
UGA United States Gasoline Fund LP	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTHF and UGA in my portfolio?

FTHF and UGA have a correlation of -0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTHF or UGA?

FTHF has higher volatility (17.38%) compared to UGA (9.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTHF dropped -17.36% vs UGA's -86.59%.

Which ETF is better, FTHF or UGA?

On 1-year performance, FTHF leads with 99.98% vs 59.74% for UGA. Both ETFs have the same 0.75% expense ratio. On volatility, UGA has been the lower-risk option at 9.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTHF or UGA?

Over the 1-year period, FTHF has performed better with a 99.98% return vs 59.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTHF or UGA?

FTHF and UGA have the same expense ratio: 0.75% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTHF or UGA?

FTHF has the higher dividend yield at 3.03%, compared with 0.00% for UGA.

What is the main difference between FTHF and UGA?

FTHF is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while UGA is Oil & Gas. FTHF tracks Emerging Markets Human Flourishing Index, while UGA tracks Front Month Unleaded Gasoline. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Concierge Technologies.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTHF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.79 vs 1.73), 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.