IGLD vs. GOLI

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

IGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) and GOLI (Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IGLD is a Gold fund actively managed by First Trust, while GOLI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Defiance. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, IGLD returned 13.43% vs 4.70% for GOLI. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. IGLD charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for GOLI.

Performance

IGLD vs. GOLI - 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 (GOLI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IGLD achieves a -6.86% return, which is significantly higher than GOLI's -9.80% return.

IGLD

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: -1.46%
• 6M: -11.29%
• YTD: -6.86%
• 1Y: 13.43%
• 3Y*: 19.46%
• 5Y*: 12.05%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.73%

GOLI

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.36%
• 6M: -9.71%
• YTD: -9.80%
• 1Y: 4.70%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 2.88%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
GOLI Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF	$218.07K	$245.45K	$411.06K
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	$4.93M	$5.43M	$7.10M

IGLD vs. GOLI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	-6.86%	30.58%
GOLI Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF	-9.80%	15.16%

Correlation

The correlation between IGLD and GOLI is 0.84, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 2, 2025	0.84

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

Return for Risk

IGLD vs. GOLI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

IGLD

IGLD Risk / Return Rank: 23
IGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
IGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
IGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 26
IGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
IGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 20

GOLI

GOLI Risk / Return Rank: 14
GOLI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
GOLI Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
GOLI Omega Ratio Rank: 16
GOLI Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
GOLI Martin Ratio Rank: 14

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

IGLD vs. GOLI - 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 (GOLI). 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	GOLI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.54	0.19	+0.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.85	0.40	+0.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.06	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.57	0.18	+0.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.26	0.49	+0.77

IGLD vs. GOLI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IGLD Sharpe Ratio is 0.54, which is higher than the GOLI Sharpe Ratio of 0.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IGLD and GOLI, 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. GOLI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IGLD drawdown since its inception was -23.84%, smaller than the maximum GOLI drawdown of -25.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGLD and GOLI.

Drawdown Indicators

	IGLD	GOLI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.84%	-25.88%	+2.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.84%	-25.88%	+2.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.84%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.84%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.29%	-19.79%	-2.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.71%	-5.77%	+0.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.65%	9.59%	+1.06%

Volatility

IGLD vs. GOLI - Volatility Comparison

FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) has a higher volatility of 5.32% compared to Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF (GOLI) at 4.55%. This indicates that IGLD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GOLI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IGLD	GOLI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.32%	4.55%	+0.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.82%	21.57%	-0.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.12%	25.26%	-0.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.75%	22.95%	-7.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.43%	22.95%	-7.52%

IGLD vs. GOLI - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

IGLD vs. GOLI - Dividend Comparison

IGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 23.29%, less than GOLI's 49.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
GOLI Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF	49.92%	37.38%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	23.29%	9.91%	20.81%	7.85%	4.45%	2.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IGLD and GOLI in my portfolio?

IGLD and GOLI have a correlation of 0.84, 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 GOLI?

IGLD has higher volatility (5.32%) compared to GOLI (4.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGLD dropped -23.84% vs GOLI's -25.88%.

Which ETF is better, IGLD or GOLI?

On 1-year performance, IGLD leads with 13.43% vs 4.70% for GOLI. On fees, IGLD is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, GOLI has been the lower-risk option at 4.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IGLD or GOLI?

Over the 1-year period, IGLD has performed better with a 13.43% return vs 4.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IGLD or GOLI?

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

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

GOLI has the higher dividend yield at 49.92%, compared with 23.29% for IGLD.

What is the main difference between IGLD and GOLI?

IGLD is categorized as Gold, while GOLI 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 GOLI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IGLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.54 vs 0.19), 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.