IFED vs. BDGS

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IFED (ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN) and BDGS (Bridges Capital Tactical ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IFED is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the IFED Large-Cap US Equity Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while BDGS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Bridges. IFED is passively managed, while BDGS is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, IFED returned 17.19%/yr vs 14.17%/yr for BDGS. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IFED charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for BDGS.

Performance

IFED vs. BDGS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN (IFED) and Bridges Capital Tactical ETF (BDGS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IFED achieves a -2.31% return, which is significantly lower than BDGS's 5.94% return.

IFED

• 1D: -1.64%
• 1M: 6.11%
• YTD: -2.31%
• 6M: -1.82%
• 1Y: 4.42%
• 3Y*: 17.19%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BDGS

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: 1.49%
• YTD: 5.94%
• 6M: 5.90%
• 1Y: 14.42%
• 3Y*: 14.17%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IFED vs. BDGS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
IFED ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN	-2.31%	15.02%	23.04%	22.50%
BDGS Bridges Capital Tactical ETF	5.94%	10.61%	19.07%	8.31%

Correlation

The correlation between IFED and BDGS is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 12, 2023	0.60

The correlation between IFED and BDGS shifts across timeframes, from 0.48 (1 year) to 0.60 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

IFED vs. BDGS — Risk / Return Rank

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

IFED

IFED Risk / Return Rank: 12
IFED Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
IFED Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
IFED Omega Ratio Rank: 12
IFED Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
IFED Martin Ratio Rank: 12

BDGS

BDGS Risk / Return Rank: 78
BDGS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
BDGS Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
BDGS Omega Ratio Rank: 82
BDGS Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
BDGS Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

IFED vs. BDGS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN (IFED) and Bridges Capital Tactical ETF (BDGS). 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.

	IFED	BDGS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.27	2.39	-2.11
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.51	3.54	-3.03
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.50	-0.43
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.33	3.67	-3.34
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.84	17.59	-16.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IFED vs. BDGS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IFED Sharpe Ratio is 0.27, which is lower than the BDGS Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IFED and BDGS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IFED	BDGS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27	2.39	-2.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	1.77	-1.11

Drawdowns

IFED vs. BDGS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IFED drawdown since its inception was -22.36%, which is greater than BDGS's maximum drawdown of -9.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IFED and BDGS.

Drawdown Indicators

	IFED	BDGS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.36%	-9.12%	-13.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.65%	-4.03%	-10.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.36%	-9.12%	-13.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.31%	-0.54%	-3.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.84%	-0.64%	-5.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.74%	0.84%	+4.90%

Volatility

IFED vs. BDGS - Volatility Comparison

ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN (IFED) has a higher volatility of 4.24% compared to Bridges Capital Tactical ETF (BDGS) at 1.09%. This indicates that IFED's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BDGS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IFED	BDGS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.24%	1.09%	+3.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.80%	4.73%	+8.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.17%	6.08%	+10.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.88%	8.21%	+11.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.88%	8.21%	+11.67%

IFED vs. BDGS - Expense Ratio Comparison

IFED has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than BDGS's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

IFED vs. BDGS - Dividend Comparison

IFED has not paid dividends to shareholders, while BDGS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.52%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
BDGS Bridges Capital Tactical ETF	0.52%	0.55%	1.81%	0.84%
IFED ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IFED and BDGS in my portfolio?

IFED and BDGS have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IFED or BDGS?

IFED has higher volatility (4.24%) compared to BDGS (1.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IFED dropped -22.36% vs BDGS's -9.12%.

Which ETF is better, IFED or BDGS?

On 3-year performance, IFED leads with 17.19% vs 14.17% for BDGS. On fees, IFED is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, BDGS has been the lower-risk option at 1.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IFED or BDGS?

Over the 3-year period, IFED has performed better with a 17.19% return vs 14.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IFED or BDGS?

IFED is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for BDGS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IFED or BDGS?

BDGS has the higher dividend yield at 0.52%, compared with 0.00% for IFED.

What is the main difference between IFED and BDGS?

IFED is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while BDGS is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: UBS and Bridges. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for IFED and 0.85% for BDGS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BDGS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 0.27), 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.