FXGB.L vs. VAGS.L

Last updated Jul 18, 2026

FXGB.L (First Trust FactorFX UCITS ETF Class B GBP Hedged (Acc)) and VAGS.L (Vanguard Global Aggregate Bond UCITS ETF GBP Hedged Accumulating) are both exchange-traded funds - FXGB.L is a Currency fund tracking the Bloomberg G10 Carry Index, while VAGS.L is a Global Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Aggregate TR Hdg GBP. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FXGB.L returned 5.13%/yr vs 1.24%/yr for VAGS.L. At a correlation of -0.09, they often move in opposite directions. FXGB.L charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VAGS.L.

Performance

FXGB.L vs. VAGS.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in First Trust FactorFX UCITS ETF Class B GBP Hedged (Acc) (FXGB.L) and Vanguard Global Aggregate Bond UCITS ETF GBP Hedged Accumulating (VAGS.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

FXGB.L is traded in GBp, while VAGS.L is traded in GBP. To make them comparable, the VAGS.L values have been converted to GBp using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FXGB.L achieves a 6.71% return, which is significantly higher than VAGS.L's 0.12% return.

FXGB.L

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 1.70%
• 6M: 5.78%
• YTD: 6.71%
• 1Y: 11.40%
• 3Y*: 6.44%
• 5Y*: 5.13%
• 10Y*: —

VAGS.L

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: -0.58%
• 6M: 0.08%
• YTD: 0.12%
• 1Y: 2.94%
• 3Y*: 5.61%
• 5Y*: 1.24%
• 10Y*: —

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

FXGB.L vs. VAGS.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
FXGB.L First Trust FactorFX UCITS ETF Class B GBP Hedged (Acc)	6.71%	7.73%	5.81%	10.67%	-1.83%	-2.87%	-1.20%	1.61%
VAGS.L Vanguard Global Aggregate Bond UCITS ETF GBP Hedged Accumulating	0.12%	6.58%	5.57%	8.56%	-12.52%	-1.30%	6.52%	1.98%

Correlation

The correlation between FXGB.L and VAGS.L is -0.15, 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	-0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.11
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 18, 2019	-0.09

Return for Risk

FXGB.L vs. VAGS.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

FXGB.L

FXGB.L Risk / Return Rank: 47
FXGB.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
FXGB.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
FXGB.L Omega Ratio Rank: 36
FXGB.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
FXGB.L Martin Ratio Rank: 57

VAGS.L

VAGS.L Risk / Return Rank: 26
VAGS.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
VAGS.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
VAGS.L Omega Ratio Rank: 24
VAGS.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
VAGS.L Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

FXGB.L vs. VAGS.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust FactorFX UCITS ETF Class B GBP Hedged (Acc) (FXGB.L) and Vanguard Global Aggregate Bond UCITS ETF GBP Hedged Accumulating (VAGS.L). 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.

	FXGB.L	VAGS.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.02	0.81	+0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.50	1.16	+0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.14	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.62	1.10	+1.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.33	2.95	+4.38

FXGB.L vs. VAGS.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXGB.L Sharpe Ratio is 1.02, which is comparable to the VAGS.L Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXGB.L and VAGS.L, 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

FXGB.L vs. VAGS.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXGB.L drawdown since its inception was -9.43%, smaller than the maximum VAGS.L drawdown of -16.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXGB.L and VAGS.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	FXGB.L	VAGS.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.43%	-16.34%	+6.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.33%	-2.67%	-1.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.86%	-3.35%	-3.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.66%	-16.34%	+8.68%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.37%	+1.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.72%	-4.07%	+1.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.55%	1.00%	+0.55%

Volatility

FXGB.L vs. VAGS.L - Volatility Comparison

First Trust FactorFX UCITS ETF Class B GBP Hedged (Acc) (FXGB.L) has a higher volatility of 2.67% compared to Vanguard Global Aggregate Bond UCITS ETF GBP Hedged Accumulating (VAGS.L) at 1.12%. This indicates that FXGB.L's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VAGS.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FXGB.L	VAGS.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.67%	1.12%	+1.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.42%	2.85%	+5.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.10%	3.62%	+7.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.87%	4.92%	+2.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.75%	4.58%	+2.17%

FXGB.L vs. VAGS.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXGB.L has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than VAGS.L's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

FXGB.L vs. VAGS.L - Dividend Comparison

Neither FXGB.L nor VAGS.L has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
FXGB.L First Trust FactorFX UCITS ETF Class B GBP Hedged (Acc)	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VAGS.L Vanguard Global Aggregate Bond UCITS ETF GBP Hedged Accumulating	0.00%	1.43%	3.03%	2.33%	1.45%	0.87%	0.91%	0.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FXGB.L and VAGS.L in my portfolio?

FXGB.L and VAGS.L have a correlation of -0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, FXGB.L or VAGS.L?

On fees, VAGS.L is cheaper at 0.10% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, FXGB.L or VAGS.L?

VAGS.L is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for FXGB.L.

What is the main difference between FXGB.L and VAGS.L?

FXGB.L is categorized as Currency, while VAGS.L is Global Bonds. FXGB.L tracks Bloomberg G10 Carry Index, while VAGS.L tracks Bloomberg Global Aggregate TR Hdg GBP. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for FXGB.L and 0.10% for VAGS.L.