IGLD vs. BAR

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) and BAR (GraniteShares Gold Trust) are both Gold funds. IGLD is actively managed, while BAR is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IGLD returned 12.76%/yr vs 18.08%/yr for BAR. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IGLD charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for BAR.

Performance

IGLD vs. BAR - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IGLD achieves a -5.55% return, which is significantly lower than BAR's -4.82% return.

IGLD

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

BAR

• 1D: -1.94%
• 1M: -8.92%
• YTD: -4.82%
• 6M: -8.73%
• 1Y: 21.40%
• 3Y*: 28.63%
• 5Y*: 18.08%
• 10Y*: —

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

IGLD vs. BAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	-5.55%	47.46%	19.36%	9.24%	-2.34%	4.30%
BAR GraniteShares Gold Trust	-4.82%	64.12%	26.97%	12.96%	-0.55%	5.40%

Correlation

The correlation between IGLD and BAR is 0.95 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2021	0.93

The correlation between IGLD and BAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IGLD vs. BAR — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

BAR

BAR Risk / Return Rank: 22
BAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
BAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
BAR Omega Ratio Rank: 25
BAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
BAR Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

IGLD vs. BAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) and GraniteShares Gold Trust (BAR). 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.

	IGLD	BAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.61	0.78	-0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.94	1.14	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.17	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.68	0.88	-0.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.94	2.37	-0.43

IGLD vs. BAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IGLD Sharpe Ratio is 0.61, which is comparable to the BAR Sharpe Ratio of 0.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IGLD and BAR, 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

IGLD vs. BAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IGLD drawdown since its inception was -21.90%, smaller than the maximum BAR drawdown of -24.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGLD and BAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	IGLD	BAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.90%	-24.38%	+2.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.90%	-24.38%	+2.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.90%	-24.38%	+2.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.90%	-24.38%	+2.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.20%	-23.93%	+2.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.37%	-6.53%	+1.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.68%	9.07%	-1.39%

Volatility

IGLD vs. BAR - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) and GraniteShares Gold Trust (BAR) have volatilities of 8.14% and 8.11%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IGLD	BAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.14%	8.11%	+0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.34%	24.24%	-1.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.40%	27.39%	-2.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.48%	18.14%	-2.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.30%	16.54%	-1.24%

IGLD vs. BAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

IGLD has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than BAR's 0.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

IGLD vs. BAR - Dividend Comparison

IGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 19.29%, while BAR has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BAR GraniteShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	19.29%	9.91%	20.81%	7.85%	4.45%	2.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IGLD and BAR in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, IGLD and BAR move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, IGLD or BAR?

IGLD has higher volatility (8.14%) compared to BAR (8.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGLD dropped -21.90% vs BAR's -24.38%.

Which ETF is better, IGLD or BAR?

On 5-year performance, BAR leads with 18.08% vs 12.76% for IGLD. On fees, BAR is cheaper at 0.17% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IGLD or BAR?

Over the 5-year period, BAR has performed better with a 18.08% return vs 12.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IGLD or BAR?

BAR is cheaper with a 0.17% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for IGLD.

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

IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 19.29%, compared with 0.00% for BAR.

What is the main difference between IGLD and BAR?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and GraniteShares. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for IGLD and 0.17% for BAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.78 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.