HISF vs. UGA

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

HISF (First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF) and UGA (United States Gasoline Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - HISF is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by First Trust, while UGA is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Unleaded Gasoline. HISF is actively managed, while UGA is passively managed. Over the past year, HISF returned 4.83% vs 59.74% for UGA. At a correlation of -0.27, they often move in opposite directions. HISF charges 0.87%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for UGA.

Performance

HISF vs. UGA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF) and United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HISF achieves a 0.24% return, which is significantly lower than UGA's 64.09% return.

HISF

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 0.63%
• YTD: 0.24%
• 6M: 0.49%
• 1Y: 4.83%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

UGA

• 1D: -1.12%
• 1M: -12.11%
• YTD: 64.09%
• 6M: 60.42%
• 1Y: 59.74%
• 3Y*: 18.95%
• 5Y*: 22.69%
• 10Y*: 14.31%

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

HISF vs. UGA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
HISF First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF	0.24%	8.39%	3.41%
UGA United States Gasoline Fund LP	64.09%	-2.00%	-6.03%

Correlation

The correlation between HISF and UGA is -0.42, 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	-0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 28, 2024	-0.27

The correlation between HISF and UGA shifts across timeframes, from -0.42 (1 year) to -0.27 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

HISF vs. UGA — Risk / Return Rank

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

HISF

HISF Risk / Return Rank: 41
HISF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
HISF Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
HISF Omega Ratio Rank: 44
HISF Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
HISF Martin Ratio Rank: 39

UGA

UGA Risk / Return Rank: 55
UGA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
UGA Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
UGA Omega Ratio Rank: 49
UGA Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
UGA Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

HISF vs. UGA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF) and United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA). 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.

	HISF	UGA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.45	1.73	-0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.12	2.25	-0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.30	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.67	3.17	-1.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.78	9.39	-3.61

HISF vs. UGA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HISF Sharpe Ratio is 1.45, which is comparable to the UGA Sharpe Ratio of 1.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HISF and UGA, 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

HISF vs. UGA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HISF drawdown since its inception was -3.86%, smaller than the maximum UGA drawdown of -86.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HISF and UGA.

Drawdown Indicators

	HISF	UGA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.86%	-86.59%	+82.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.90%	-18.96%	+16.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-26.68%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-38.11%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-75.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.99%	-18.05%	+17.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.89%	-36.69%	+35.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.84%	6.43%	-5.59%

Volatility

HISF vs. UGA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF) is 0.97%, while United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA) has a volatility of 9.24%. This indicates that HISF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UGA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HISF	UGA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.97%	9.24%	-8.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.69%	30.57%	-27.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.35%	35.22%	-31.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.94%	34.45%	-30.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.94%	37.22%	-33.28%

HISF vs. UGA - Expense Ratio Comparison

HISF has a 0.87% expense ratio, which is higher than UGA's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

HISF vs. UGA - Dividend Comparison

HISF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.99%, while UGA has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
HISF First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF	4.99%	4.69%	3.92%
UGA United States Gasoline Fund LP	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HISF and UGA in my portfolio?

HISF and UGA have a correlation of -0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HISF or UGA?

UGA has higher volatility (9.24%) compared to HISF (0.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HISF dropped -3.86% vs UGA's -86.59%.

Which ETF is better, HISF or UGA?

On 1-year performance, UGA leads with 59.74% vs 4.83% for HISF. On fees, UGA is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, HISF has been the lower-risk option at 0.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HISF or UGA?

Over the 1-year period, UGA has performed better with a 59.74% return vs 4.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HISF or UGA?

UGA is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.87% for HISF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HISF or UGA?

HISF has the higher dividend yield at 4.99%, compared with 0.00% for UGA.

What is the main difference between HISF and UGA?

HISF is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while UGA is Oil & Gas. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Concierge Technologies. Their fees differ too: 0.87% for HISF and 0.75% for UGA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UGA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.73 vs 1.45), 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.