QUSA vs. FTGC

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

QUSA (VistaShares Target 15™ USA Quality Income ETF) and FTGC (First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - QUSA is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by VistaShares, while FTGC is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, QUSA returned 5.03% vs 28.18% for FTGC. At a correlation of -0.08, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

QUSA vs. FTGC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VistaShares Target 15™ USA Quality Income ETF (QUSA) and First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QUSA achieves a 8.69% return, which is significantly lower than FTGC's 18.86% return.

QUSA

• 1D: -1.11%
• 1M: -0.43%
• YTD: 8.69%
• 6M: 8.33%
• 1Y: 5.03%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FTGC

• 1D: -1.14%
• 1M: -7.37%
• YTD: 18.86%
• 6M: 17.54%
• 1Y: 28.18%
• 3Y*: 14.26%
• 5Y*: 12.29%
• 10Y*: 7.15%

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

QUSA vs. FTGC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QUSA VistaShares Target 15™ USA Quality Income ETF	8.69%	-3.27%
FTGC First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund	18.86%	12.66%

Correlation

The correlation between QUSA and FTGC is -0.07, 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	-0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 6, 2025	-0.08

Return for Risk

QUSA vs. FTGC — Risk / Return Rank

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

QUSA

QUSA Risk / Return Rank: 15
QUSA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
QUSA Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
QUSA Omega Ratio Rank: 15
QUSA Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
QUSA Martin Ratio Rank: 14

FTGC

FTGC Risk / Return Rank: 55
FTGC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
FTGC Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
FTGC Omega Ratio Rank: 54
FTGC Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
FTGC Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

QUSA vs. FTGC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VistaShares Target 15™ USA Quality Income ETF (QUSA) 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.

	QUSA	FTGC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.47	1.82	-1.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.75	2.46	-1.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.32	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.50	2.60	-2.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.19	9.67	-8.48

QUSA vs. FTGC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QUSA Sharpe Ratio is 0.47, which is lower than the FTGC Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QUSA and FTGC, 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

QUSA vs. FTGC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QUSA drawdown since its inception was -10.64%, smaller than the maximum FTGC drawdown of -59.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QUSA and FTGC.

Drawdown Indicators

	QUSA	FTGC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.64%	-59.47%	+48.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.12%	-10.87%	+0.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-10.87%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-22.64%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.91%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.82%	-10.87%	+9.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.72%	-27.34%	+23.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.23%	2.94%	+1.29%

Volatility

QUSA vs. FTGC - Volatility Comparison

VistaShares Target 15™ USA Quality Income ETF (QUSA) has a higher volatility of 3.79% compared to First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) at 3.07%. This indicates that QUSA'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.

Volatility by Period

	QUSA	FTGC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.79%	3.07%	+0.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.65%	13.21%	-4.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.78%	15.70%	-4.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.64%	15.87%	-5.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.64%	14.71%	-4.07%

QUSA vs. FTGC - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both QUSA and FTGC have an expense ratio of 0.95%.

Dividends

QUSA vs. FTGC - Dividend Comparison

QUSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.60%, less than FTGC's 16.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTGC First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund	16.13%	17.74%	3.05%	3.34%	10.35%	7.21%	0.00%	0.81%	0.80%	1.21%
QUSA VistaShares Target 15™ USA Quality Income ETF	12.60%	6.61%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QUSA and FTGC in my portfolio?

QUSA and FTGC have a correlation of -0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QUSA or FTGC?

QUSA has higher volatility (3.79%) compared to FTGC (3.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QUSA dropped -10.64% vs FTGC's -59.47%.

Which ETF is better, QUSA or FTGC?

On 1-year performance, FTGC leads with 28.18% vs 5.03% for QUSA. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, FTGC has been the lower-risk option at 3.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QUSA or FTGC?

Over the 1-year period, FTGC has performed better with a 28.18% return vs 5.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QUSA or FTGC?

QUSA and FTGC have the same expense ratio: 0.95% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QUSA or FTGC?

FTGC has the higher dividend yield at 16.13%, compared with 12.60% for QUSA.

What is the main difference between QUSA and FTGC?

QUSA is categorized as Derivative Income, while FTGC is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: VistaShares and First Trust.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTGC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 0.47), 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.