VOO vs. IGLD

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) and IGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while IGLD is a Gold fund actively managed by First Trust. VOO is passively managed, while IGLD is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, VOO returned 13.93%/yr vs 13.19%/yr for IGLD. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VOO charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for IGLD.

Performance

VOO vs. IGLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) 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, VOO achieves a 10.99% return, which is significantly higher than IGLD's -0.64% return.

VOO

• 1D: 1.74%
• 1M: 2.12%
• YTD: 10.99%
• 6M: 11.51%
• 1Y: 27.95%
• 3Y*: 21.25%
• 5Y*: 13.93%
• 10Y*: 15.72%

IGLD

• 1D: 2.91%
• 1M: -4.22%
• YTD: -0.64%
• 6M: -0.15%
• 1Y: 19.51%
• 3Y*: 21.70%
• 5Y*: 13.19%
• 10Y*: —

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

VOO vs. IGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	10.99%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	24.57%
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	-0.64%	47.46%	19.36%	9.24%	-2.34%	4.30%

Correlation

The correlation between VOO and IGLD is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.18
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2021	0.15

The correlation between VOO and IGLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.13 (5 years) to 0.28 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VOO vs. IGLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 78
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 79
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 81

IGLD

IGLD Risk / Return Rank: 24
IGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
IGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
IGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 28
IGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
IGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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.

VOO vs. IGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) 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.

	VOO	IGLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	0.81	+1.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.07	1.18	+1.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.17	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.15	0.89	+2.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.25	2.72	+11.53

VOO vs. IGLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOO Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is higher than the IGLD Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOO 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

VOO vs. IGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOO drawdown since its inception was -33.99%, which is greater than IGLD's maximum drawdown of -21.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOO and IGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOO	IGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.99%	-21.90%	-12.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-21.90%	+13.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.69%	-21.90%	+3.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.52%	-21.90%	-2.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.99%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.63%	-17.10%	+16.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.68%	-5.31%	+1.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	7.20%	-5.23%

Volatility

VOO vs. IGLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is 4.61%, while FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) has a volatility of 8.25%. This indicates that VOO 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

	VOO	IGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.61%	8.25%	-3.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.72%	22.18%	-12.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.34%	24.30%	-11.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.90%	15.50%	+1.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.05%	15.27%	+2.78%

VOO vs. IGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOO has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than IGLD's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

VOO vs. IGLD - Dividend Comparison

VOO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, less than IGLD's 18.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	18.34%	9.91%	20.81%	7.85%	4.45%	2.24%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOO and IGLD in my portfolio?

VOO and IGLD have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VOO or IGLD?

IGLD has higher volatility (8.25%) compared to VOO (4.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOO dropped -33.99% vs IGLD's -21.90%.

Which ETF is better, VOO or IGLD?

On 5-year performance, VOO leads with 13.93% vs 13.19% for IGLD. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VOO has been the lower-risk option at 4.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VOO or IGLD?

Over the 5-year period, VOO has performed better with a 13.93% return vs 13.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VOO or IGLD?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for IGLD.

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

IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 18.34%, compared with 1.03% for VOO.

What is the main difference between VOO and IGLD?

VOO is categorized as S&P 500, while IGLD is Gold. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VOO and 0.85% for IGLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 0.81), 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.