FXN vs. IGLD
FXN (First Trust Energy AlphaDEX Fund) and IGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FXN is a Energy Equities fund tracking the StrataQuant Energy Index, while IGLD is a Gold fund actively managed by First Trust. FXN is passively managed, while IGLD is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, FXN returned 15.13%/yr vs 12.76%/yr for IGLD. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FXN charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for IGLD.
Performance
FXN vs. IGLD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FXN achieves a 25.36% return, which is significantly higher than IGLD's -5.55% return.
FXN
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- -7.84%
- YTD
- 25.36%
- 6M
- 25.74%
- 1Y
- 36.81%
- 3Y*
- 13.95%
- 5Y*
- 15.13%
- 10Y*
- 5.82%
IGLD
- 1D
- -1.96%
- 1M
- -8.08%
- YTD
- -5.55%
- 6M
- -8.37%
- 1Y
- 14.83%
- 3Y*
- 20.33%
- 5Y*
- 12.76%
- 10Y*
- —
FXN vs. IGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FXN First Trust Energy AlphaDEX Fund | 25.36% | 3.39% | 0.27% | 0.97% | 46.92% | 19.22% |
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | -5.55% | 47.46% | 19.36% | 9.24% | -2.34% | 4.30% |
Correlation
The correlation between FXN and IGLD is -0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.02 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.10 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.11 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2021 | 0.12 |
The correlation between FXN and IGLD shifts across timeframes, from -0.02 (1 year) to 0.12 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FXN vs. IGLD — Risk / Return Rank
FXN
IGLD
FXN vs. IGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Energy AlphaDEX Fund (FXN) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD). 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.
| FXN | IGLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.96 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.16 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.14 | +0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.85 | 0.68 | +2.17 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.08 | 1.94 | +6.14 |
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Drawdowns
FXN vs. IGLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FXN drawdown since its inception was -87.39%, which is greater than IGLD's maximum drawdown of -21.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXN and IGLD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FXN | IGLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -87.39% | -21.90% | -65.49% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.99% | -21.90% | +8.91% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -31.69% | -21.90% | -9.79% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -31.69% | -21.90% | -9.79% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -80.63% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -11.26% | -21.20% | +9.94% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -37.90% | -5.37% | -32.53% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.57% | 7.68% | -3.11% |
Volatility
FXN vs. IGLD - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Energy AlphaDEX Fund (FXN) is 7.38%, while FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) has a volatility of 8.14%. This indicates that FXN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IGLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FXN | IGLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.38% | 8.14% | -0.76% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.15% | 22.34% | -5.19% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 23.85% | 24.40% | -0.55% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 28.95% | 15.48% | +13.47% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 34.94% | 15.30% | +19.64% |
FXN vs. IGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
FXN has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is lower than IGLD's 0.85% expense ratio.
Dividends
FXN vs. IGLD - Dividend Comparison
FXN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.91%, less than IGLD's 19.29% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FXN First Trust Energy AlphaDEX Fund | 1.91% | 2.53% | 2.50% | 3.09% | 2.28% | 0.87% | 4.71% | 1.47% | 1.43% | 1.17% | 1.05% | 2.36% |
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | 19.29% | 9.91% | 20.81% | 7.85% | 4.45% | 2.24% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FXN and IGLD have a correlation of -0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IGLD has higher volatility (8.14%) compared to FXN (7.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXN dropped -87.39% vs IGLD's -21.90%.
On 5-year performance, FXN leads with 15.13% vs 12.76% for IGLD. On fees, FXN is cheaper at 0.64% per year. On volatility, FXN has been the lower-risk option at 7.38%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, FXN has performed better with a 15.13% return vs 12.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FXN is cheaper with a 0.64% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for IGLD.
IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 19.29%, compared with 1.91% for FXN.
FXN is categorized as Energy Equities, while IGLD is Gold. Their fees differ too: 0.64% for FXN and 0.85% for IGLD.
FXN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs 0.61), 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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