LGOV vs. MGOV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LGOV (First Trust Long Duration Opportunities ETF) and MGOV (First Trust Intermediate Government Opportunities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LGOV is a Mortgage Backed Securities fund actively managed by First Trust, while MGOV is a Government Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, LGOV returned 5.85% vs 6.73% for MGOV. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. LGOV charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for MGOV.

Performance

LGOV vs. MGOV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Long Duration Opportunities ETF (LGOV) and First Trust Intermediate Government Opportunities ETF (MGOV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LGOV achieves a -0.60% return, which is significantly lower than MGOV's 0.19% return.

LGOV

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: 0.01%
• YTD: -0.60%
• 6M: -1.29%
• 1Y: 5.85%
• 3Y*: 2.47%
• 5Y*: -1.74%
• 10Y*: —

MGOV

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: -0.19%
• YTD: 0.19%
• 6M: -0.01%
• 1Y: 6.73%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

LGOV vs. MGOV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
LGOV First Trust Long Duration Opportunities ETF	-0.60%	9.13%	-2.05%	5.22%
MGOV First Trust Intermediate Government Opportunities ETF	0.19%	8.54%	1.55%	4.56%

Correlation

The correlation between LGOV and MGOV is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 4, 2023	0.87

The correlation between LGOV and MGOV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LGOV vs. MGOV — Risk / Return Rank

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

LGOV

LGOV Risk / Return Rank: 23
LGOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
LGOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
LGOV Omega Ratio Rank: 22
LGOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
LGOV Martin Ratio Rank: 24

MGOV

MGOV Risk / Return Rank: 41
MGOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
MGOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
MGOV Omega Ratio Rank: 40
MGOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
MGOV Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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.

LGOV vs. MGOV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Long Duration Opportunities ETF (LGOV) and First Trust Intermediate Government Opportunities ETF (MGOV). 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.

	LGOV	MGOV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.84	1.46	-0.62
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.24	2.16	-0.92
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.26	-0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.05	1.92	-0.87
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.08	5.87	-2.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LGOV vs. MGOV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LGOV Sharpe Ratio is 0.84, which is lower than the MGOV Sharpe Ratio of 1.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LGOV and MGOV, 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

	LGOV	MGOV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84	1.46	-0.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.19	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.13	0.88	-0.75

Drawdowns

LGOV vs. MGOV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LGOV drawdown since its inception was -30.86%, which is greater than MGOV's maximum drawdown of -6.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LGOV and MGOV.

Drawdown Indicators

	LGOV	MGOV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.86%	-6.11%	-24.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.62%	-3.53%	-2.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.54%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.14%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-15.30%	-2.38%	-12.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.08%	-1.62%	-11.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.90%	1.15%	+0.75%

Volatility

LGOV vs. MGOV - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Long Duration Opportunities ETF (LGOV) has a higher volatility of 2.71% compared to First Trust Intermediate Government Opportunities ETF (MGOV) at 1.70%. This indicates that LGOV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MGOV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LGOV	MGOV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.71%	1.70%	+1.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.15%	3.22%	+1.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.01%	4.64%	+2.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.07%	5.95%	+3.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.24%	5.95%	+3.29%

LGOV vs. MGOV - Expense Ratio Comparison

LGOV has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than MGOV's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

LGOV vs. MGOV - Dividend Comparison

LGOV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.27%, less than MGOV's 4.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
LGOV First Trust Long Duration Opportunities ETF	4.27%	4.02%	4.03%	3.59%	1.97%	2.58%	3.75%	3.01%
MGOV First Trust Intermediate Government Opportunities ETF	4.98%	4.95%	5.05%	1.47%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LGOV and MGOV in my portfolio?

LGOV and MGOV have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LGOV or MGOV?

LGOV has higher volatility (2.71%) compared to MGOV (1.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LGOV dropped -30.86% vs MGOV's -6.11%.

Which ETF is better, LGOV or MGOV?

On 1-year performance, MGOV leads with 6.73% vs 5.85% for LGOV. On fees, MGOV is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, MGOV has been the lower-risk option at 1.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LGOV or MGOV?

Over the 1-year period, MGOV has performed better with a 6.73% return vs 5.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LGOV or MGOV?

MGOV is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for LGOV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LGOV or MGOV?

MGOV has the higher dividend yield at 4.98%, compared with 4.27% for LGOV.

What is the main difference between LGOV and MGOV?

LGOV is categorized as Mortgage Backed Securities, while MGOV is Government Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for LGOV and 0.65% for MGOV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MGOV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.46 vs 0.84), 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.