IGLD vs. GLDY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

IGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) and GLDY (Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IGLD is a Gold fund actively managed by First Trust, while GLDY is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Defiance. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, IGLD returned 17.49% vs 5.66% for GLDY. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IGLD charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for GLDY.

Performance

IGLD vs. GLDY - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IGLD achieves a -3.67% return, which is significantly higher than GLDY's -7.66% return.

IGLD

• 1D: -0.63%
• 1M: -6.25%
• YTD: -3.67%
• 6M: -5.24%
• 1Y: 17.49%
• 3Y*: 21.13%
• 5Y*: 13.19%
• 10Y*: —

GLDY

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: -6.13%
• YTD: -7.66%
• 6M: -9.83%
• 1Y: 5.66%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IGLD vs. GLDY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	-3.67%	30.58%
GLDY Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF	-7.66%	15.15%

Correlation

The correlation between IGLD and GLDY is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 2, 2025	0.84

The correlation between IGLD and GLDY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IGLD vs. GLDY — Risk / Return Rank

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

IGLD

IGLD Risk / Return Rank: 20
IGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
IGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
IGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 23
IGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
IGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 20

GLDY

GLDY Risk / Return Rank: 12
GLDY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
GLDY Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
GLDY Omega Ratio Rank: 13
GLDY Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
GLDY Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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. GLDY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) and Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF (GLDY). 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	GLDY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.72	0.23	+0.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.08	0.46	+0.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.08	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.80	0.22	+0.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.32	0.83	+1.49

IGLD vs. GLDY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IGLD Sharpe Ratio is 0.72, which is higher than the GLDY Sharpe Ratio of 0.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IGLD and GLDY, 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. GLDY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IGLD drawdown since its inception was -21.90%, smaller than the maximum GLDY drawdown of -25.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGLD and GLDY.

Drawdown Indicators

	IGLD	GLDY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.90%	-25.90%	+4.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.90%	-25.90%	+4.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.90%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.90%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.63%	-17.88%	-1.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.35%	-4.42%	-0.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.56%	6.80%	+0.76%

Volatility

IGLD vs. GLDY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) is 7.99%, while Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF (GLDY) has a volatility of 14.80%. This indicates that IGLD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GLDY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IGLD	GLDY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.99%	14.80%	-6.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.26%	23.16%	-0.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.36%	24.59%	-0.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.45%	23.27%	-7.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.28%	23.27%	-7.99%

IGLD vs. GLDY - Expense Ratio Comparison

IGLD has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than GLDY's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

IGLD vs. GLDY - Dividend Comparison

IGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 18.91%, less than GLDY's 50.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
GLDY Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF	50.87%	37.38%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	18.91%	9.91%	20.81%	7.85%	4.45%	2.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IGLD and GLDY in my portfolio?

IGLD and GLDY have a correlation of 0.83, 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 GLDY?

GLDY has higher volatility (14.80%) compared to IGLD (7.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGLD dropped -21.90% vs GLDY's -25.90%.

Which ETF is better, IGLD or GLDY?

On 1-year performance, IGLD leads with 17.49% vs 5.66% for GLDY. On fees, IGLD is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, IGLD has been the lower-risk option at 7.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IGLD or GLDY?

Over the 1-year period, IGLD has performed better with a 17.49% return vs 5.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IGLD or GLDY?

IGLD is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for GLDY.

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

GLDY has the higher dividend yield at 50.87%, compared with 18.91% for IGLD.

What is the main difference between IGLD and GLDY?

IGLD is categorized as Gold, while GLDY is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for IGLD and 0.99% for GLDY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IGLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.72 vs 0.23), 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.