IGLD vs. FTXL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IGLD (FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) and FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IGLD is a Precious Metals fund actively managed by First Trust, while FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. IGLD is actively managed, while FTXL is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IGLD returned 13.02%/yr vs 34.63%/yr for FTXL. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IGLD charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXL.

Performance

IGLD vs. FTXL - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IGLD achieves a 1.69% return, which is significantly lower than FTXL's 115.70% return.

IGLD

• 1D: -0.81%
• 1M: -1.33%
• YTD: 1.69%
• 6M: 4.44%
• 1Y: 24.53%
• 3Y*: 23.01%
• 5Y*: 13.02%
• 10Y*: —

FTXL

• 1D: 2.21%
• 1M: 30.59%
• YTD: 115.70%
• 6M: 113.17%
• 1Y: 225.15%
• 3Y*: 61.52%
• 5Y*: 34.63%
• 10Y*: —

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

IGLD vs. FTXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IGLD FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	1.69%	47.46%	19.36%	9.24%	-2.34%	4.30%
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	115.70%	48.94%	7.59%	54.41%	-33.88%	28.01%

Correlation

The correlation between IGLD and FTXL is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.11
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 4, 2021	0.12

Return for Risk

IGLD vs. FTXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

IGLD

IGLD Risk / Return Rank: 28
IGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
IGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
IGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 32
IGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
IGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 27

FTXL

FTXL Risk / Return Rank: 97
FTXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
FTXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
FTXL Omega Ratio Rank: 96
FTXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
FTXL Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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. FTXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) and First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL). 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.

	IGLD	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.06	6.33	-5.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.47	5.74	-4.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.78	-0.56
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.40	15.62	-14.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.82	58.28	-54.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IGLD vs. FTXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IGLD Sharpe Ratio is 1.06, which is lower than the FTXL Sharpe Ratio of 6.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IGLD and FTXL, 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

	IGLD	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.06	6.33	-5.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86	0.97	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.94	0.94	0.00

Drawdowns

IGLD vs. FTXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IGLD drawdown since its inception was -18.59%, smaller than the maximum FTXL drawdown of -43.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGLD and FTXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	IGLD	FTXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.59%	-43.87%	+25.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.56%	-14.51%	-3.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.56%	-41.57%	+24.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.59%	-43.87%	+25.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-15.16%	0.00%	-15.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.24%	-10.56%	+5.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.43%	3.88%	+2.55%

Volatility

IGLD vs. FTXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) is 5.12%, while First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) has a volatility of 14.28%. This indicates that IGLD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IGLD	FTXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.12%	14.28%	-9.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.01%	28.98%	-7.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.24%	35.94%	-12.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.17%	36.02%	-20.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.00%	34.25%	-19.25%

IGLD vs. FTXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

IGLD has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than FTXL's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

IGLD vs. FTXL - Dividend Comparison

IGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 17.92%, more than FTXL's 0.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	0.12%	0.28%	0.54%	0.60%	0.89%	0.25%	0.48%	0.92%	0.71%	0.47%	0.12%
IGLD FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	17.92%	9.91%	20.81%	7.85%	4.45%	2.24%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IGLD and FTXL in my portfolio?

IGLD and FTXL have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IGLD or FTXL?

FTXL has higher volatility (14.28%) compared to IGLD (5.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGLD dropped -18.59% vs FTXL's -43.87%.

Which ETF is better, IGLD or FTXL?

On 5-year performance, FTXL leads with 34.63% vs 13.02% for IGLD. On fees, FTXL is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, IGLD has been the lower-risk option at 5.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IGLD or FTXL?

Over the 5-year period, FTXL has performed better with a 34.63% return vs 13.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IGLD or FTXL?

FTXL is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for IGLD.

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

IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 17.92%, compared with 0.12% for FTXL.

What is the main difference between IGLD and FTXL?

IGLD is categorized as Precious Metals, while FTXL is Semiconductors. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for IGLD and 0.60% for FTXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.33 vs 1.06), 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.