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 8.83%/yr vs 7.29%/yr for FTGC. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IXC charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FTGC.
Performance
IXC vs. FTGC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with IXC having a 23.35% return and FTGC slightly lower at 23.17%. Over the past 10 years, IXC has outperformed FTGC with an annualized return of 8.83%, while FTGC has yielded a comparatively lower 7.29% annualized return.
IXC
- 1D
- 0.51%
- 1M
- -4.24%
- 6M
- 20.68%
- YTD
- 23.35%
- 1Y
- 29.02%
- 3Y*
- 14.69%
- 5Y*
- 18.91%
- 10Y*
- 8.83%
FTGC
- 1D
- -0.11%
- 1M
- 0.98%
- 6M
- 21.09%
- YTD
- 23.17%
- 1Y
- 31.25%
- 3Y*
- 15.14%
- 5Y*
- 12.87%
- 10Y*
- 7.29%
IXC vs. FTGC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IXC iShares Global Energy ETF | 23.35% | 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 | 23.17% | 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 0.58, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.58 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.58 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.62 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 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 | -0.53 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.72 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.37 | -0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.95 | 2.67 | -0.72 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.26 | 9.04 | -2.78 |
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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 | -11.22% | -7.64% | -3.58% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -17.45% | -27.27% | +9.82% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.78% | 3.64% | +1.14% |
Volatility
IXC vs. FTGC - Volatility Comparison
iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) has a higher volatility of 6.59% compared to First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) at 4.13%. 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 | 6.59% | 4.13% | +2.46% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.86% | 13.34% | +2.52% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.18% | 15.76% | +3.42% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.45% | 15.86% | +7.59% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 26.81% | 14.71% | +12.10% |
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 3.08%, less than FTGC's 15.73% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTGC First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund | 15.73% | 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 | 3.08% | 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 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IXC has higher volatility (6.59%) compared to FTGC (4.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXC dropped -67.88% vs FTGC's -59.47%.
On 10-year performance, IXC leads with 8.83% vs 7.29% for FTGC. On fees, IXC is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, FTGC has been the lower-risk option at 4.13%. 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 8.83% return vs 7.29%. 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 15.73%, compared with 3.08% 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 (2.10 vs 1.56), 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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