RSSE vs. IGLD

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

RSSE (FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - September) and IGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RSSE is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust, while IGLD is a Gold fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, RSSE returned 13.23% vs 14.74% for IGLD. At a 0.11 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.85% expense ratio.

Performance

RSSE vs. IGLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - September (RSSE) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RSSE achieves a 8.58% return, which is significantly higher than IGLD's -6.87% return.

RSSE

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.84%
• 6M: 6.15%
• YTD: 8.58%
• 1Y: 13.23%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IGLD

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: -6.28%
• 6M: -11.44%
• YTD: -6.87%
• 1Y: 14.74%
• 3Y*: 19.39%
• 5Y*: 12.03%
• 10Y*: —

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

RSSE vs. IGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
RSSE FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - September	8.58%	7.83%	-0.35%
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	-6.87%	47.46%	0.35%

Correlation

The correlation between RSSE and IGLD is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2024	0.11

The correlation between RSSE and IGLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.11 (all time) to 0.23 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

RSSE vs. IGLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

RSSE

RSSE Risk / Return Rank: 70
RSSE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
RSSE Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
RSSE Omega Ratio Rank: 65
RSSE Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
RSSE Martin Ratio Rank: 73

IGLD

IGLD Risk / Return Rank: 20
IGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
IGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
IGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 22
IGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
IGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

RSSE vs. IGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - September (RSSE) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD). 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.

	RSSE	IGLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	0.60	+1.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.63	0.92	+1.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.13	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.03	0.62	+2.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.81	1.57	+9.23

RSSE vs. IGLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RSSE Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is higher than the IGLD Sharpe Ratio of 0.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RSSE and IGLD, 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

RSSE vs. IGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RSSE drawdown since its inception was -11.37%, smaller than the maximum IGLD drawdown of -23.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RSSE and IGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	RSSE	IGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.37%	-23.84%	+12.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.38%	-23.84%	+19.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-23.84%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-23.84%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.17%	-22.30%	+22.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.50%	-5.55%	+4.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.23%	9.39%	-8.16%

Volatility

RSSE vs. IGLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - September (RSSE) is 1.48%, while FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) has a volatility of 7.01%. This indicates that RSSE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IGLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RSSE	IGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.48%	7.01%	-5.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.09%	22.42%	-17.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.81%	24.88%	-17.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.04%	15.66%	-5.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.04%	15.40%	-5.36%

RSSE vs. IGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both RSSE and IGLD have an expense ratio of 0.85%.

Dividends

RSSE vs. IGLD - Dividend Comparison

RSSE has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 21.41%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	21.41%	9.91%	20.81%	7.85%	4.45%	2.24%
RSSE FT Vest U.S. Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - September	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RSSE and IGLD in my portfolio?

RSSE and IGLD have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RSSE or IGLD?

IGLD has higher volatility (7.01%) compared to RSSE (1.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RSSE dropped -11.37% vs IGLD's -23.84%.

Which ETF is better, RSSE or IGLD?

On 1-year performance, IGLD leads with 14.74% vs 13.23% for RSSE. Both ETFs have the same 0.85% expense ratio. On volatility, RSSE has been the lower-risk option at 1.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RSSE or IGLD?

Over the 1-year period, IGLD has performed better with a 14.74% return vs 13.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RSSE or IGLD?

RSSE and IGLD have the same expense ratio: 0.85% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RSSE or IGLD?

IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 21.41%, compared with 0.00% for RSSE.

What is the main difference between RSSE and IGLD?

RSSE is categorized as Defined Outcome, while IGLD is Gold.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RSSE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.72 vs 0.60), 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.