USRD vs. FTAG

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

USRD (Themes US R&D Champions ETF) and FTAG (First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - USRD tracks the Solactive US R&D Champions Index while FTAG tracks the Indxx Global Agriculture Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, USRD returned 16.97% vs 12.18% for FTAG. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. USRD charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for FTAG.

Performance

USRD vs. FTAG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Themes US R&D Champions ETF (USRD) and First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with USRD having a 10.41% return and FTAG slightly lower at 10.39%.

USRD

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: -2.99%
• YTD: 10.41%
• 6M: 9.00%
• 1Y: 16.97%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FTAG

• 1D: 2.52%
• 1M: -0.44%
• YTD: 10.39%
• 6M: 10.53%
• 1Y: 12.18%
• 3Y*: 4.63%
• 5Y*: 1.47%
• 10Y*: 6.24%

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

USRD vs. FTAG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
USRD Themes US R&D Champions ETF	10.41%	12.44%	15.53%	5.32%
FTAG First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF	10.39%	14.82%	-6.72%	7.10%

Correlation

The correlation between USRD and FTAG is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 13, 2023	0.42

The correlation between USRD and FTAG shifts across timeframes, from 0.30 (1 year) to 0.42 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

USRD vs. FTAG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	USRD	FTAG
Technology	64.5%	-
Healthcare	14.3%	7.7%
Consumer Cyclical	7.3%	4.2%
Communication Services	7.0%	-
Industrials	3.6%	24.0%
Consumer Defensive	1.9%	8.5%
Basic Materials	1.7%	55.6%
Real Estate	1.7%	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

USRD vs. FTAG — Risk / Return Rank

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

USRD

USRD Risk / Return Rank: 27
USRD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
USRD Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
USRD Omega Ratio Rank: 26
USRD Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
USRD Martin Ratio Rank: 28

FTAG

FTAG Risk / Return Rank: 26
FTAG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
FTAG Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
FTAG Omega Ratio Rank: 24
FTAG Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
FTAG Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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.

USRD vs. FTAG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Themes US R&D Champions ETF (USRD) and First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG). 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.

	USRD	FTAG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.96	0.85	+0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.40	1.31	+0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.15	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.26	1.28	-0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.64	2.91	+0.73

USRD vs. FTAG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USRD Sharpe Ratio is 0.96, which is comparable to the FTAG Sharpe Ratio of 0.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USRD and FTAG, 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

USRD vs. FTAG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USRD drawdown since its inception was -23.79%, smaller than the maximum FTAG drawdown of -90.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USRD and FTAG.

Drawdown Indicators

	USRD	FTAG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.79%	-90.89%	+67.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.49%	-9.56%	-3.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-21.87%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-32.77%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-50.79%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.98%	-78.65%	+69.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.77%	-71.26%	+67.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.67%	4.19%	+0.48%

Volatility

USRD vs. FTAG - Volatility Comparison

Themes US R&D Champions ETF (USRD) has a higher volatility of 8.33% compared to First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF (FTAG) at 4.86%. This indicates that USRD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTAG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USRD	FTAG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.33%	4.86%	+3.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.68%	11.21%	+3.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.77%	14.39%	+3.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.49%	17.42%	+2.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.49%	19.61%	-0.12%

USRD vs. FTAG - Expense Ratio Comparison

USRD has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than FTAG's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

USRD vs. FTAG - Dividend Comparison

USRD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%, less than FTAG's 2.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTAG First Trust Indxx Global Agriculture ETF	2.01%	1.39%	2.89%	3.68%	1.77%	1.58%	1.72%	2.33%	2.16%	1.26%	0.61%	1.35%
USRD Themes US R&D Champions ETF	0.38%	0.42%	2.44%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USRD and FTAG in my portfolio?

USRD and FTAG have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, USRD or FTAG?

USRD has higher volatility (8.33%) compared to FTAG (4.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USRD dropped -23.79% vs FTAG's -90.89%.

Which ETF is better, USRD or FTAG?

On 1-year performance, USRD leads with 16.97% vs 12.18% for FTAG. On fees, USRD is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, FTAG has been the lower-risk option at 4.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, USRD or FTAG?

Over the 1-year period, USRD has performed better with a 16.97% return vs 12.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USRD or FTAG?

USRD is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for FTAG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, USRD or FTAG?

FTAG has the higher dividend yield at 2.01%, compared with 0.38% for USRD.

What is the main difference between USRD and FTAG?

USRD tracks Solactive US R&D Champions Index, while FTAG tracks Indxx Global Agriculture Index. They also come from different issuers: Themes and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for USRD and 0.70% for FTAG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USRD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.96 vs 0.85), 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.