SMAY vs. IGLD

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

SMAY (FT Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - May) and IGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SMAY 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 3 years, SMAY returned 11.38%/yr vs 21.13%/yr for IGLD. At a 0.16 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SMAY charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for IGLD.

Performance

SMAY vs. IGLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - May (SMAY) 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, SMAY achieves a 8.76% return, which is significantly higher than IGLD's -3.67% return.

SMAY

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: 2.40%
• YTD: 8.76%
• 6M: 8.27%
• 1Y: 20.13%
• 3Y*: 11.38%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IGLD

• 1D: -0.63%
• 1M: -6.25%
• YTD: -3.67%
• 6M: -5.24%
• 1Y: 17.49%
• 3Y*: 21.13%
• 5Y*: 13.19%
• 10Y*: —

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

SMAY vs. IGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
SMAY FT Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - May	8.76%	4.75%	12.60%	9.21%
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	-3.67%	47.46%	19.36%	2.40%

Correlation

The correlation between SMAY and IGLD is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 22, 2023	0.16

Return for Risk

SMAY vs. IGLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMAY

SMAY Risk / Return Rank: 90
SMAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
SMAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
SMAY Omega Ratio Rank: 88
SMAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
SMAY Martin Ratio Rank: 94

IGLD

IGLD Risk / Return Rank: 20
IGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
IGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
IGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 23
IGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
IGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

SMAY vs. IGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - May (SMAY) 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.

	SMAY	IGLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.66	0.72	+1.94
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.98	1.08	+2.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.16	+0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.73	0.80	+5.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	26.93	2.32	+24.61

SMAY vs. IGLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMAY Sharpe Ratio is 2.66, which is higher than the IGLD Sharpe Ratio of 0.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMAY 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

SMAY vs. IGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMAY drawdown since its inception was -14.44%, smaller than the maximum IGLD drawdown of -21.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMAY and IGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMAY	IGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.44%	-21.90%	+7.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.00%	-21.90%	+18.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.44%	-21.90%	+7.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-21.90%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-19.63%	+19.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.52%	-5.35%	+2.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.75%	7.56%	-6.81%

Volatility

SMAY vs. IGLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - May (SMAY) is 3.33%, while FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) has a volatility of 7.99%. This indicates that SMAY 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

	SMAY	IGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.33%	7.99%	-4.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.23%	22.26%	-17.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.61%	24.36%	-16.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.23%	15.45%	-5.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.23%	15.28%	-5.05%

SMAY vs. IGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMAY has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than IGLD's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMAY vs. IGLD - Dividend Comparison

SMAY has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 18.91%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	18.91%	9.91%	20.81%	7.85%	4.45%	2.24%
SMAY FT Vest U.S. Small Cap Moderate Buffer ETF - May	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMAY and IGLD in my portfolio?

SMAY and IGLD have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SMAY or IGLD?

IGLD has higher volatility (7.99%) compared to SMAY (3.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMAY dropped -14.44% vs IGLD's -21.90%.

Which ETF is better, SMAY or IGLD?

On 3-year performance, IGLD leads with 21.13% vs 11.38% for SMAY. On fees, IGLD is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, SMAY has been the lower-risk option at 3.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SMAY or IGLD?

Over the 3-year period, IGLD has performed better with a 21.13% return vs 11.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMAY or IGLD?

IGLD is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for SMAY.

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

IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 18.91%, compared with 0.00% for SMAY.

What is the main difference between SMAY and IGLD?

SMAY is categorized as Defined Outcome, while IGLD is Gold. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for SMAY and 0.85% for IGLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMAY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.66 vs 0.72), 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.