FXG vs. GXPS

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

FXG (First Trust Consumer Staples AlphaDEX Fund) and GXPS (Global X PureCap MSCI Consumer Staples ETF) are both Consumer Staples Equities funds - FXG tracks the StrataQuant Consumer Staples Index while GXPS tracks the MSCI USA Consumer Staples Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, FXG returned 5.04% vs 9.88% for GXPS. Their 0.71 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FXG charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for GXPS.

Performance

FXG vs. GXPS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Consumer Staples AlphaDEX Fund (FXG) and Global X PureCap MSCI Consumer Staples ETF (GXPS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FXG achieves a 8.56% return, which is significantly lower than GXPS's 10.64% return.

FXG

• 1D: 0.56%
• 1M: 2.45%
• 6M: -1.21%
• YTD: 8.56%
• 1Y: 5.04%
• 3Y*: 2.63%
• 5Y*: 5.20%
• 10Y*: 4.76%
• ALL TIME*: 8.12%

GXPS

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 0.90%
• 6M: -1.46%
• YTD: 10.64%
• 1Y: 9.88%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.43%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FXG First Trust Consumer Staples AlphaDEX Fund	$695.75K	$660.92K	$780.49K
GXPS Global X PureCap MSCI Consumer Staples ETF	$502.26K	$508.75K	$741.91K

FXG vs. GXPS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FXG First Trust Consumer Staples AlphaDEX Fund	8.56%	-4.33%
GXPS Global X PureCap MSCI Consumer Staples ETF	10.64%	-1.72%

Correlation

The correlation between FXG and GXPS is 0.72, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 23, 2025	0.71

The correlation between FXG and GXPS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FXG vs. GXPS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FXG

FXG Risk / Return Rank: 16
FXG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
FXG Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
FXG Omega Ratio Rank: 16
FXG Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
FXG Martin Ratio Rank: 15

GXPS

GXPS Risk / Return Rank: 25
GXPS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
GXPS Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
GXPS Omega Ratio Rank: 23
GXPS Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
GXPS Martin Ratio Rank: 24

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FXG vs. GXPS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Consumer Staples AlphaDEX Fund (FXG) and Global X PureCap MSCI Consumer Staples ETF (GXPS). 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.

	FXG	GXPS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.36	0.66	-0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.62	1.06	-0.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.12	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.40	1.08	-0.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.80	2.04	-1.24

FXG vs. GXPS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXG Sharpe Ratio is 0.36, which is lower than the GXPS Sharpe Ratio of 0.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXG and GXPS, 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

FXG vs. GXPS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXG drawdown since its inception was -38.69%, which is greater than GXPS's maximum drawdown of -9.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXG and GXPS.

Drawdown Indicators

	FXG	GXPS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.69%	-9.20%	-29.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.75%	-9.20%	-3.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.75%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.70%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.54%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.05%	-4.96%	-0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.04%	-4.13%	-1.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.30%	4.85%	+1.45%

Volatility

FXG vs. GXPS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Consumer Staples AlphaDEX Fund (FXG) is 5.00%, while Global X PureCap MSCI Consumer Staples ETF (GXPS) has a volatility of 5.59%. This indicates that FXG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GXPS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FXG	GXPS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.00%	5.59%	-0.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.69%	12.26%	-1.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.90%	15.00%	-1.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.75%	14.86%	-1.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.02%	14.86%	+0.16%

FXG vs. GXPS - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXG has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is higher than GXPS's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

FXG vs. GXPS - Dividend Comparison

FXG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.35%, more than GXPS's 1.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FXG First Trust Consumer Staples AlphaDEX Fund	2.35%	2.83%	1.70%	1.41%	1.83%	1.38%	1.41%	1.63%	2.31%	1.34%	1.72%	1.67%
GXPS Global X PureCap MSCI Consumer Staples ETF	1.25%	0.59%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FXG and GXPS in my portfolio?

FXG and GXPS have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FXG or GXPS?

GXPS has higher volatility (5.59%) compared to FXG (5.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXG dropped -38.69% vs GXPS's -9.20%.

Which ETF is better, FXG or GXPS?

On 1-year performance, GXPS leads with 9.88% vs 5.04% for FXG. On fees, GXPS is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, FXG has been the lower-risk option at 5.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FXG or GXPS?

Over the 1-year period, GXPS has performed better with a 9.88% return vs 5.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FXG or GXPS?

GXPS is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.63% for FXG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FXG or GXPS?

FXG has the higher dividend yield at 2.35%, compared with 1.25% for GXPS.

What is the main difference between FXG and GXPS?

FXG tracks StrataQuant Consumer Staples Index, while GXPS tracks MSCI USA Consumer Staples Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.63% for FXG and 0.25% for GXPS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GXPS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.66 vs 0.36), 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.