FXO vs. IGLD

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FXO (First Trust Financials AlphaDEX Fund) and IGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FXO is a Financials Equities fund tracking the StrataQuant Financials Index, while IGLD is a Gold fund actively managed by First Trust. FXO is passively managed, while IGLD is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, FXO returned 9.91%/yr vs 12.76%/yr for IGLD. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FXO charges 0.62%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for IGLD.

Performance

FXO vs. IGLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Financials AlphaDEX Fund (FXO) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FXO achieves a 3.78% return, which is significantly higher than IGLD's -5.55% return.

FXO

• 1D: 1.06%
• 1M: 4.51%
• YTD: 3.78%
• 6M: 1.91%
• 1Y: 16.03%
• 3Y*: 22.20%
• 5Y*: 9.91%
• 10Y*: 13.32%

IGLD

• 1D: -1.96%
• 1M: -8.08%
• YTD: -5.55%
• 6M: -8.37%
• 1Y: 14.83%
• 3Y*: 20.33%
• 5Y*: 12.76%
• 10Y*: —

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

FXO vs. IGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FXO First Trust Financials AlphaDEX Fund	3.78%	13.59%	27.72%	9.28%	-9.24%	16.18%
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	-5.55%	47.46%	19.36%	9.24%	-2.34%	4.30%

Correlation

The correlation between FXO and IGLD is 0.09, 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	0.09
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.08
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2021	0.06

Return for Risk

FXO vs. IGLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

FXO

FXO Risk / Return Rank: 29
FXO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
FXO Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
FXO Omega Ratio Rank: 28
FXO Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
FXO Martin Ratio Rank: 30

IGLD

IGLD Risk / Return Rank: 18
IGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
IGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
IGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 20
IGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
IGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

FXO vs. IGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Financials AlphaDEX Fund (FXO) 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.

	FXO	IGLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.03	0.61	+0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.47	0.94	+0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.14	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.37	0.68	+0.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.09	1.94	+2.15

FXO vs. IGLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXO Sharpe Ratio is 1.03, which is higher than the IGLD Sharpe Ratio of 0.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXO and IGLD, 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

FXO vs. IGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXO drawdown since its inception was -71.30%, which is greater than IGLD's maximum drawdown of -21.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXO and IGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	FXO	IGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.30%	-21.90%	-49.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.72%	-21.90%	+10.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.35%	-21.90%	+0.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.80%	-21.90%	-6.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.55%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-21.20%	+21.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.08%	-5.37%	-7.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.93%	7.68%	-3.75%

Volatility

FXO vs. IGLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Financials AlphaDEX Fund (FXO) is 4.02%, while FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) has a volatility of 8.14%. This indicates that FXO 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.

Volatility by Period

	FXO	IGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.02%	8.14%	-4.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.03%	22.34%	-11.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.66%	24.40%	-8.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.86%	15.48%	+6.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.09%	15.30%	+8.79%

FXO vs. IGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXO has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is lower than IGLD's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

FXO vs. IGLD - Dividend Comparison

FXO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.08%, less than IGLD's 19.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FXO First Trust Financials AlphaDEX Fund	2.08%	1.78%	1.97%	2.98%	2.49%	1.91%	2.60%	1.72%	2.60%	1.62%	1.35%	1.51%
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

Can I hold both FXO and IGLD in my portfolio?

FXO and IGLD have a correlation of 0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FXO or IGLD?

IGLD has higher volatility (8.14%) compared to FXO (4.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXO dropped -71.30% vs IGLD's -21.90%.

Which ETF is better, FXO or IGLD?

On 5-year performance, IGLD leads with 12.76% vs 9.91% for FXO. On fees, FXO is cheaper at 0.62% per year. On volatility, FXO has been the lower-risk option at 4.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FXO or IGLD?

Over the 5-year period, IGLD has performed better with a 12.76% return vs 9.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FXO or IGLD?

FXO is cheaper with a 0.62% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for IGLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FXO or IGLD?

IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 19.29%, compared with 2.08% for FXO.

What is the main difference between FXO and IGLD?

FXO is categorized as Financials Equities, while IGLD is Gold. Their fees differ too: 0.62% for FXO and 0.85% for IGLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FXO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.03 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.