SGGDX vs. FGDL

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

SGGDX (First Eagle Gold Fund) and FGDL (Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF) are both Gold funds. Over the past 3 years, SGGDX returned 35.40%/yr vs 29.60%/yr for FGDL. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SGGDX charges 1.19%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for FGDL.

Performance

SGGDX vs. FGDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Eagle Gold Fund (SGGDX) and Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF (FGDL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SGGDX achieves a -2.03% return, which is significantly higher than FGDL's -3.06% return.

SGGDX

• 1D: -2.15%
• 1M: -4.16%
• YTD: -2.03%
• 6M: -5.46%
• 1Y: 51.32%
• 3Y*: 35.40%
• 5Y*: 20.35%
• 10Y*: 12.78%

FGDL

• 1D: -0.53%
• 1M: -6.84%
• YTD: -3.06%
• 6M: -5.62%
• 1Y: 23.95%
• 3Y*: 29.60%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SGGDX vs. FGDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SGGDX First Eagle Gold Fund	-2.03%	128.39%	10.32%	7.01%	5.10%
FGDL Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF	-3.06%	64.15%	27.31%	12.92%	0.72%

Correlation

The correlation between SGGDX and FGDL is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 30, 2022	0.81

The correlation between SGGDX and FGDL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SGGDX vs. FGDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

SGGDX

SGGDX Risk / Return Rank: 20
SGGDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
SGGDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
SGGDX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
SGGDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
SGGDX Martin Ratio Rank: 17

FGDL

FGDL Risk / Return Rank: 24
FGDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
FGDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
FGDL Omega Ratio Rank: 27
FGDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
FGDL Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

SGGDX vs. FGDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Eagle Gold Fund (SGGDX) and Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF (FGDL). 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.

	SGGDX	FGDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.25	0.87	+0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.64	1.22	+0.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.18	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.54	0.97	+0.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.25	2.63	+1.62

SGGDX vs. FGDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SGGDX Sharpe Ratio is 1.25, which is higher than the FGDL Sharpe Ratio of 0.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SGGDX and FGDL, 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

SGGDX vs. FGDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SGGDX drawdown since its inception was -70.69%, which is greater than FGDL's maximum drawdown of -24.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SGGDX and FGDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	SGGDX	FGDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.69%	-24.73%	-45.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.40%	-24.73%	-7.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.40%	-24.73%	-7.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.02%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.16%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-26.21%	-22.54%	-3.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-29.42%	-4.05%	-25.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.72%	9.11%	+2.61%

Volatility

SGGDX vs. FGDL - Volatility Comparison

First Eagle Gold Fund (SGGDX) has a higher volatility of 13.55% compared to Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF (FGDL) at 8.36%. This indicates that SGGDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FGDL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SGGDX	FGDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.55%	8.36%	+5.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	34.11%	24.41%	+9.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	39.76%	27.82%	+11.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.11%	19.31%	+9.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.38%	19.31%	+8.07%

SGGDX vs. FGDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

SGGDX has a 1.19% expense ratio, which is higher than FGDL's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

SGGDX vs. FGDL - Dividend Comparison

SGGDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.10%, while FGDL has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
FGDL Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SGGDX First Eagle Gold Fund	1.10%	1.08%	5.26%	0.87%	0.00%	0.96%	1.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SGGDX and FGDL in my portfolio?

SGGDX and FGDL have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SGGDX or FGDL?

SGGDX has higher volatility (13.55%) compared to FGDL (8.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SGGDX dropped -70.69% vs FGDL's -24.73%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SGGDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.25 vs 0.87), 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.