PQDI vs. FTGC
PQDI (Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF) and FTGC (First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - PQDI is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofA 7% Constrained DRD Eligible Preferred Securities Index, while FTGC is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. PQDI is passively managed, while FTGC is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, PQDI returned 3.20%/yr vs 11.70%/yr for FTGC. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PQDI charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FTGC.
Performance
PQDI vs. FTGC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PQDI achieves a 1.61% return, which is significantly lower than FTGC's 16.89% return.
PQDI
- 1D
- 0.21%
- 1M
- 0.69%
- YTD
- 1.61%
- 6M
- 1.55%
- 1Y
- 6.47%
- 3Y*
- 9.23%
- 5Y*
- 3.20%
- 10Y*
- —
FTGC
- 1D
- -1.65%
- 1M
- -8.90%
- YTD
- 16.89%
- 6M
- 15.85%
- 1Y
- 28.35%
- 3Y*
- 13.63%
- 5Y*
- 11.70%
- 10Y*
- 6.98%
PQDI vs. FTGC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PQDI Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF | 1.61% | 8.46% | 9.99% | 6.24% | -9.61% | 3.10% | 9.95% |
FTGC First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund | 16.89% | 14.61% | 9.96% | -5.36% | 17.36% | 27.95% | 25.44% |
Correlation
The correlation between PQDI and FTGC is -0.05, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.05 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.05 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.10 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 17, 2020 | 0.14 |
The correlation between PQDI and FTGC shifts across timeframes, from -0.05 (1 year) to 0.14 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
PQDI vs. FTGC — Risk / Return Rank
PQDI
FTGC
PQDI vs. FTGC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI) 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.
| PQDI | FTGC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.15 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.42 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.33 | +0.09 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.96 | 2.31 | -0.34 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.68 | 9.40 | -0.72 |
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Drawdowns
PQDI vs. FTGC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PQDI drawdown since its inception was -17.41%, smaller than the maximum FTGC drawdown of -59.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PQDI and FTGC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PQDI | FTGC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -17.41% | -59.47% | +42.06% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.31% | -12.34% | +9.03% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -3.31% | -12.34% | +9.03% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.41% | -22.64% | +5.23% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -35.91% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.22% | -12.34% | +12.12% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.48% | -27.33% | +23.85% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.75% | 3.02% | -2.27% |
Volatility
PQDI vs. FTGC - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF (PQDI) is 0.91%, while First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) has a volatility of 3.33%. This indicates that PQDI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky 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
| PQDI | FTGC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.91% | 3.33% | -2.42% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.91% | 13.32% | -10.41% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.28% | 15.64% | -12.36% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.70% | 15.89% | -11.19% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.54% | 14.72% | -10.18% |
PQDI vs. FTGC - Expense Ratio Comparison
PQDI has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than FTGC's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
PQDI vs. FTGC - Dividend Comparison
PQDI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.44%, less than FTGC's 16.40% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTGC First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund | 16.40% | 17.74% | 3.05% | 3.34% | 10.35% | 7.21% | 0.00% | 0.81% | 0.80% | 1.21% |
PQDI Principal Spectrum Preferred and Income ETF | 5.44% | 5.02% | 4.93% | 5.35% | 5.60% | 5.21% | 2.69% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PQDI and FTGC have a correlation of -0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FTGC has higher volatility (3.33%) compared to PQDI (0.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PQDI dropped -17.41% vs FTGC's -59.47%.
On 5-year performance, FTGC leads with 11.70% vs 3.20% for PQDI. On fees, PQDI is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, PQDI has been the lower-risk option at 0.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, FTGC has performed better with a 11.70% return vs 3.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
PQDI is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FTGC.
FTGC has the higher dividend yield at 16.40%, compared with 5.44% for PQDI.
PQDI is categorized as Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds, while FTGC is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Principal and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for PQDI and 0.95% for FTGC.
PQDI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.83), 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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