XJAN vs. BGLD

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

XJAN (FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - January) and BGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XJAN is a Options Trading fund actively managed by FT Vest, while BGLD is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by FT Vest. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, XJAN returned 10.72% vs 7.94% for BGLD. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XJAN charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.91%/yr for BGLD.

Performance

XJAN vs. BGLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - January (XJAN) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XJAN achieves a 3.66% return, which is significantly higher than BGLD's -3.71% return.

XJAN

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 0.01%
• YTD: 3.66%
• 6M: 3.81%
• 1Y: 10.72%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BGLD

• 1D: -0.57%
• 1M: -4.77%
• YTD: -3.71%
• 6M: -6.89%
• 1Y: 7.94%
• 3Y*: 18.31%
• 5Y*: 10.99%
• 10Y*: —

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

XJAN vs. BGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
XJAN FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - January	3.66%	9.14%	9.08%
BGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF	-3.71%	33.03%	23.63%

Correlation

The correlation between XJAN and BGLD is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 22, 2024	0.13

Return for Risk

XJAN vs. BGLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

XJAN

XJAN Risk / Return Rank: 79
XJAN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
XJAN Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
XJAN Omega Ratio Rank: 89
XJAN Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
XJAN Martin Ratio Rank: 82

BGLD

BGLD Risk / Return Rank: 18
BGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
BGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
BGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 20
BGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
BGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

XJAN vs. BGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - January (XJAN) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD). 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.

	XJAN	BGLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	0.64	+1.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.34	0.92	+2.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.13	+0.38
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.66	0.70	+1.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.07	1.96	+13.12

XJAN vs. BGLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XJAN Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is higher than the BGLD Sharpe Ratio of 0.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XJAN and BGLD, 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

XJAN vs. BGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XJAN drawdown since its inception was -10.04%, smaller than the maximum BGLD drawdown of -16.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XJAN and BGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	XJAN	BGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.04%	-16.19%	+6.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.05%	-11.42%	+7.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-11.42%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-15.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.56%	-10.95%	+10.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.58%	-3.69%	+3.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.71%	4.07%	-3.36%

Volatility

XJAN vs. BGLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - January (XJAN) is 1.39%, while FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD) has a volatility of 4.56%. This indicates that XJAN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BGLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XJAN	BGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.39%	4.56%	-3.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.29%	10.79%	-6.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.78%	12.55%	-7.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.19%	10.13%	-2.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.19%	10.02%	-2.83%

XJAN vs. BGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

XJAN has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than BGLD's 0.91% expense ratio.

Dividends

XJAN vs. BGLD - Dividend Comparison

XJAN has not paid dividends to shareholders, while BGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 46.03%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF	46.03%	44.32%	25.04%	10.49%	0.40%
XJAN FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - January	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XJAN and BGLD in my portfolio?

XJAN and BGLD have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XJAN or BGLD?

BGLD has higher volatility (4.56%) compared to XJAN (1.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XJAN dropped -10.04% vs BGLD's -16.19%.

Which ETF is better, XJAN or BGLD?

On 1-year performance, XJAN leads with 10.72% vs 7.94% for BGLD. On fees, XJAN is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, XJAN has been the lower-risk option at 1.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XJAN or BGLD?

Over the 1-year period, XJAN has performed better with a 10.72% return vs 7.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XJAN or BGLD?

XJAN is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 0.91% for BGLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XJAN or BGLD?

BGLD has the higher dividend yield at 46.03%, compared with 0.00% for XJAN.

What is the main difference between XJAN and BGLD?

XJAN is categorized as Options Trading, while BGLD is Defined Outcome. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for XJAN and 0.91% for BGLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XJAN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 0.64), 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.