IXC vs. FTGC
IXC (iShares Global Energy ETF) and FTGC (First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - IXC is a Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index, while FTGC is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. IXC is passively managed, while FTGC is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, IXC returned 10.52%/yr vs 8.01%/yr for FTGC. Their 0.54 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. IXC charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FTGC.
Performance
IXC vs. FTGC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IXC achieves a 34.71% return, which is significantly higher than FTGC's 27.22% return. Over the past 10 years, IXC has outperformed FTGC with an annualized return of 10.52%, while FTGC has yielded a comparatively lower 8.01% annualized return.
IXC
- 1D
- 0.63%
- 1M
- 14.55%
- 6M
- 19.17%
- YTD
- 34.71%
- 1Y
- 43.29%
- 3Y*
- 16.60%
- 5Y*
- 22.34%
- 10Y*
- 10.52%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.52%
FTGC
- 1D
- 0.03%
- 1M
- 6.85%
- 6M
- 16.44%
- YTD
- 27.22%
- 1Y
- 38.55%
- 3Y*
- 14.53%
- 5Y*
- 12.93%
- 10Y*
- 8.01%
- ALL TIME*
- 3.31%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15.55M | $14.47M | $23.37M | |
| $40.96M | $62.51M | $57.88M |
IXC vs. FTGC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IXC iShares Global Energy ETF | 34.71% | 13.98% | 1.95% | 3.92% | 48.51% | 40.88% | -31.00% | 12.67% | -14.85% | 5.54% |
FTGC First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund | 27.22% | 14.61% | 9.96% | -5.36% | 17.36% | 27.95% | 2.17% | 6.40% | -12.75% | 2.73% |
Correlation
The correlation between IXC and FTGC is 0.59, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.59 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.58 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.62 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.56 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 23, 2013 | 0.54 |
The correlation between IXC and FTGC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.54 to 0.62 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
IXC vs. FTGC — Risk / Return Rank
IXC
FTGC
IXC vs. FTGC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) and First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC). 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.
| IXC | FTGC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.22 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.39 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.36 | 1.42 | -0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.83 | 3.14 | -0.31 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.78 | 10.32 | -1.54 |
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Drawdowns
IXC vs. FTGC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IXC drawdown since its inception was -67.88%, which is greater than FTGC's maximum drawdown of -59.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXC and FTGC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IXC | FTGC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -67.88% | -59.47% | -8.41% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.36% | -12.34% | -3.02% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.06% | -12.34% | -6.72% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.93% | -22.64% | -2.29% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -64.16% | -35.91% | -28.25% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.05% | -4.60% | +1.55% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -17.42% | -27.17% | +9.75% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.95% | 3.75% | +1.20% |
Volatility
IXC vs. FTGC - Volatility Comparison
iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) has a higher volatility of 6.07% compared to First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) at 4.34%. This indicates that IXC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTGC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IXC | FTGC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.07% | 4.34% | +1.73% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.03% | 13.35% | +2.68% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.61% | 15.87% | +3.74% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.37% | 15.71% | +7.66% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 26.82% | 14.73% | +12.09% |
IXC vs. FTGC - Expense Ratio Comparison
IXC has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than FTGC's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
IXC vs. FTGC - Dividend Comparison
IXC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.82%, less than FTGC's 15.23% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTGC First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund | 15.23% | 17.74% | 3.05% | 3.34% | 10.35% | 7.21% | 0.00% | 0.81% | 0.80% | 1.21% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
IXC iShares Global Energy ETF | 2.82% | 3.68% | 4.56% | 3.45% | 4.76% | 3.98% | 4.86% | 7.00% | 3.51% | 3.05% | 2.86% | 3.77% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IXC and FTGC have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IXC has higher volatility (6.07%) compared to FTGC (4.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXC dropped -67.88% vs FTGC's -59.47%.
On 10-year performance, IXC leads with 10.52% vs 8.01% for FTGC. On fees, IXC is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, FTGC has been the lower-risk option at 4.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IXC has performed better with a 10.52% return vs 8.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IXC is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FTGC.
FTGC has the higher dividend yield at 15.23%, compared with 2.82% for IXC.
IXC is categorized as Energy Equities, while FTGC is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for IXC and 0.95% for FTGC.
FTGC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 2.22), 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.
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