USCI vs. FTGC
USCI (United States Commodity Index Fund) and FTGC (First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund) are both Commodities funds. USCI is passively managed, while FTGC is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, USCI returned 8.92%/yr vs 7.83%/yr for FTGC. Their correlation of 0.85 means they have usually moved in the same direction. USCI charges 1.03%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FTGC.
Performance
USCI vs. FTGC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, USCI achieves a 27.88% return, which is significantly higher than FTGC's 26.16% return. Over the past 10 years, USCI has outperformed FTGC with an annualized return of 8.92%, while FTGC has yielded a comparatively lower 7.83% annualized return.
USCI
- 1D
- -1.75%
- 1M
- 7.73%
- 6M
- 23.25%
- YTD
- 27.88%
- 1Y
- 35.81%
- 3Y*
- 19.39%
- 5Y*
- 19.79%
- 10Y*
- 8.92%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.38%
FTGC
- 1D
- -0.83%
- 1M
- 5.86%
- 6M
- 20.66%
- YTD
- 26.16%
- 1Y
- 38.44%
- 3Y*
- 14.57%
- 5Y*
- 12.91%
- 10Y*
- 7.83%
- ALL TIME*
- 3.24%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $16.08M | $14.32M | $23.26M | |
| $1.26M | $1.23M | $1.84M |
USCI vs. FTGC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USCI United States Commodity Index Fund | 27.88% | 17.63% | 17.24% | 0.00% | 29.47% | 33.07% | -11.47% | -1.68% | -11.76% | 6.32% |
FTGC First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund | 26.16% | 14.61% | 9.96% | -5.36% | 17.36% | 27.95% | 2.17% | 6.40% | -12.75% | 2.73% |
Correlation
The correlation between USCI and FTGC is 0.90, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.90 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.90 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.90 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.86 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 23, 2013 | 0.85 |
The correlation between USCI and FTGC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
USCI vs. FTGC — Risk / Return Rank
USCI
FTGC
USCI vs. FTGC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for United States Commodity Index Fund (USCI) 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.
| USCI | FTGC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.34 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.42 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.36 | 1.42 | -0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.22 | 3.13 | +0.09 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.27 | 10.25 | +0.02 |
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Drawdowns
USCI vs. FTGC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum USCI drawdown since its inception was -66.41%, which is greater than FTGC's maximum drawdown of -59.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USCI and FTGC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| USCI | FTGC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -66.41% | -59.47% | -6.94% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.19% | -12.34% | +1.15% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.01% | -12.34% | +0.33% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.84% | -22.64% | +3.80% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -45.82% | -35.91% | -9.91% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.57% | -5.39% | +1.82% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -29.26% | -27.16% | -2.10% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.50% | 3.76% | -0.26% |
Volatility
USCI vs. FTGC - Volatility Comparison
United States Commodity Index Fund (USCI) has a higher volatility of 5.70% compared to First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) at 4.48%. This indicates that USCI'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.
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Volatility by Period
| USCI | FTGC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.70% | 4.48% | +1.22% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.93% | 12.99% | +0.94% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.19% | 15.89% | +1.30% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.44% | 15.71% | +2.73% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.93% | 14.74% | +1.19% |
USCI vs. FTGC - Expense Ratio Comparison
USCI has a 1.03% expense ratio, which is higher than FTGC's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
USCI vs. FTGC - Dividend Comparison
USCI has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FTGC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 15.36%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTGC First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund | 15.36% | 17.74% | 3.05% | 3.34% | 10.35% | 7.21% | 0.00% | 0.81% | 0.80% | 1.21% |
USCI United States Commodity Index Fund | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.90, USCI and FTGC move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
USCI has higher volatility (5.70%) compared to FTGC (4.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USCI dropped -66.41% vs FTGC's -59.47%.
On 10-year performance, USCI leads with 8.92% vs 7.83% for FTGC. On fees, FTGC is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, FTGC has been the lower-risk option at 4.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, USCI has performed better with a 8.92% return vs 7.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FTGC is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.03% for USCI.
FTGC has the higher dividend yield at 15.36%, compared with 0.00% for USCI.
They also come from different issuers: USCF and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 1.03% for USCI and 0.95% for FTGC.
FTGC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 2.10), 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.
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