GOF vs. FCT

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

GOF (Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund) and FCT (First Trust Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II) are both mutual funds - GOF is a Multisector Bonds fund actively managed by Guggenheim, while FCT is a Bank Loan fund managed by First Trust. Over the past 10 years, GOF returned 7.66%/yr vs 5.92%/yr for FCT. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GOF charges 1.89%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for FCT.

Performance

GOF vs. FCT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund (GOF) and First Trust Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II (FCT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GOF achieves a -7.25% return, which is significantly lower than FCT's 2.12% return. Over the past 10 years, GOF has outperformed FCT with an annualized return of 7.66%, while FCT has yielded a comparatively lower 5.92% annualized return.

GOF

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 0.20%
• 6M: -8.24%
• YTD: -7.25%
• 1Y: -14.42%
• 3Y*: 2.57%
• 5Y*: 0.44%
• 10Y*: 7.66%

FCT

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 1.16%
• 6M: 1.95%
• YTD: 2.12%
• 1Y: 6.29%
• 3Y*: 11.16%
• 5Y*: 5.14%
• 10Y*: 5.92%

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

GOF vs. FCT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GOF Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund	-7.25%	-1.92%	38.04%	-3.04%	-5.78%	4.90%	21.51%	10.51%	-5.95%	22.01%
FCT First Trust Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II	2.12%	9.24%	14.91%	18.06%	-14.54%	13.72%	2.73%	20.13%	-8.07%	-1.07%

Correlation

The correlation between GOF and FCT is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 27, 2007	0.28

Return for Risk

GOF vs. FCT — Risk / Return Rank

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

GOF

GOF Risk / Return Rank: 1
GOF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
GOF Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
GOF Omega Ratio Rank: 1
GOF Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
GOF Martin Ratio Rank: 1

FCT

FCT Risk / Return Rank: 19
FCT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
FCT Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
FCT Omega Ratio Rank: 20
FCT Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
FCT 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.

GOF vs. FCT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund (GOF) and First Trust Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II (FCT). 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.

	GOF	FCT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.80	0.74	-1.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.94	1.40	-2.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.85	1.17	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.62	1.25	-1.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.07	3.26	-4.33

GOF vs. FCT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GOF Sharpe Ratio is -0.80, which is lower than the FCT Sharpe Ratio of 0.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GOF and FCT, 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

GOF vs. FCT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GOF drawdown since its inception was -54.66%, smaller than the maximum FCT drawdown of -67.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GOF and FCT.

Drawdown Indicators

	GOF	FCT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.66%	-67.23%	+12.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.24%	-5.04%	-18.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.56%	-11.61%	-16.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.41%	-23.86%	-8.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.50%	-39.88%	+1.38%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.38%	-0.09%	-17.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.12%	-8.93%	+1.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.50%	1.94%	+11.56%

Volatility

GOF vs. FCT - Volatility Comparison

Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund (GOF) has a higher volatility of 3.35% compared to First Trust Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II (FCT) at 1.95%. This indicates that GOF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FCT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GOF	FCT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.35%	1.95%	+1.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.61%	4.32%	+6.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.14%	8.53%	+9.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.20%	11.98%	+6.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.53%	13.30%	+6.23%

GOF vs. FCT - Expense Ratio Comparison

GOF has a 1.89% expense ratio, which is higher than FCT's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

GOF vs. FCT - Dividend Comparison

GOF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 20.08%, more than FCT's 11.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FCT First Trust Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II	11.95%	11.56%	11.25%	10.62%	9.03%	9.23%	9.88%	6.60%	6.49%	6.16%	6.11%	7.17%
GOF Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund	20.08%	16.97%	14.32%	17.07%	14.36%	11.93%	11.26%	12.08%	11.96%	10.13%	11.13%	12.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GOF and FCT in my portfolio?

GOF and FCT have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GOF or FCT?

GOF has higher volatility (3.35%) compared to FCT (1.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GOF dropped -54.66% vs FCT's -67.23%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FCT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.74 vs -0.80), 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.