TUSA vs. IGLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TUSA (First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF) and IGLD (FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TUSA is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Total US Market Index, while IGLD is a Precious Metals fund actively managed by First Trust. TUSA is passively managed, while IGLD is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, TUSA returned 6.32%/yr vs 13.02%/yr for IGLD. At a 0.11 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TUSA charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for IGLD.

Performance

TUSA vs. IGLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF (TUSA) and FT Cboe 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, TUSA achieves a 6.54% return, which is significantly higher than IGLD's 1.69% return.

TUSA

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: -2.16%
• YTD: 6.54%
• 6M: 6.72%
• 1Y: 18.40%
• 3Y*: 16.04%
• 5Y*: 6.32%
• 10Y*: 10.75%

IGLD

• 1D: -0.81%
• 1M: -1.33%
• YTD: 1.69%
• 6M: 4.44%
• 1Y: 24.53%
• 3Y*: 23.01%
• 5Y*: 13.02%
• 10Y*: —

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

TUSA vs. IGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
TUSA First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF	6.54%	13.64%	11.12%	11.75%	-13.54%	14.07%
IGLD FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	1.69%	47.46%	19.36%	9.24%	-2.34%	4.30%

Correlation

The correlation between TUSA and IGLD 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 (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.08
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 4, 2021	0.11

Return for Risk

TUSA vs. IGLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

TUSA

TUSA Risk / Return Rank: 45
TUSA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
TUSA Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
TUSA Omega Ratio Rank: 39
TUSA Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
TUSA Martin Ratio Rank: 46

IGLD

IGLD Risk / Return Rank: 28
IGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
IGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
IGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 32
IGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
IGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

TUSA vs. IGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF (TUSA) and FT Cboe 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.

	TUSA	IGLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.44	1.06	+0.37
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.19	1.47	+0.72
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.22	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.81	1.40	+1.41
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.56	3.82	+3.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TUSA vs. IGLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TUSA Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is higher than the IGLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TUSA 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	TUSA	IGLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.44	1.06	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36	0.86	-0.50
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.94	-0.62

Drawdowns

TUSA vs. IGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TUSA drawdown since its inception was -56.53%, which is greater than IGLD's maximum drawdown of -18.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TUSA and IGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	TUSA	IGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.53%	-18.59%	-37.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.57%	-17.56%	+10.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.04%	-17.56%	-0.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.35%	-18.59%	-4.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.47%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.46%	-15.16%	+10.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.87%	-5.24%	-4.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.44%	6.43%	-3.99%

Volatility

TUSA vs. IGLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF (TUSA) is 3.48%, while FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) has a volatility of 5.12%. This indicates that TUSA 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

	TUSA	IGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.48%	5.12%	-1.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.87%	21.01%	-12.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.92%	23.24%	-10.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.65%	15.17%	+2.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.14%	15.00%	+5.14%

TUSA vs. IGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

TUSA has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is lower than IGLD's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

TUSA vs. IGLD - Dividend Comparison

TUSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.66%, less than IGLD's 17.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IGLD FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	17.92%	9.91%	20.81%	7.85%	4.45%	2.24%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
TUSA First Trust Total US Market AlphaDEX ETF	1.66%	1.59%	2.05%	2.15%	2.31%	0.72%	0.99%	1.13%	1.14%	0.79%	1.24%	0.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TUSA and IGLD in my portfolio?

TUSA and IGLD 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, TUSA or IGLD?

IGLD has higher volatility (5.12%) compared to TUSA (3.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TUSA dropped -56.53% vs IGLD's -18.59%.

Which ETF is better, TUSA or IGLD?

On 5-year performance, IGLD leads with 13.02% vs 6.32% for TUSA. On fees, TUSA is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, TUSA has been the lower-risk option at 3.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TUSA or IGLD?

Over the 5-year period, IGLD has performed better with a 13.02% return vs 6.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TUSA or IGLD?

TUSA is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for IGLD.

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

IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 17.92%, compared with 1.66% for TUSA.

What is the main difference between TUSA and IGLD?

TUSA is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while IGLD is Precious Metals. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for TUSA and 0.85% for IGLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TUSA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.44 vs 1.06), 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.