XPND vs. GDMA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XPND (First Trust Expanded Technology ETF) and GDMA (Gadsden Dynamic Multi-Asset ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XPND is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by First Trust, while GDMA is a Hedge Fund fund actively managed by Gadsden. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, XPND returned 28.18%/yr vs 16.91%/yr for GDMA. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XPND charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.77%/yr for GDMA.

Performance

XPND vs. GDMA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Expanded Technology ETF (XPND) and Gadsden Dynamic Multi-Asset ETF (GDMA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XPND achieves a 16.32% return, which is significantly higher than GDMA's 11.18% return.

XPND

• 1D: -0.83%
• 1M: 12.34%
• YTD: 16.32%
• 6M: 15.44%
• 1Y: 32.11%
• 3Y*: 28.18%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GDMA

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 1.83%
• YTD: 11.18%
• 6M: 14.08%
• 1Y: 32.26%
• 3Y*: 16.91%
• 5Y*: 7.66%
• 10Y*: —

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

XPND vs. GDMA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
XPND First Trust Expanded Technology ETF	16.32%	18.82%	29.61%	46.13%	-29.66%	15.05%
GDMA Gadsden Dynamic Multi-Asset ETF	11.18%	25.29%	7.44%	1.72%	-2.08%	-1.43%

Correlation

The correlation between XPND and GDMA is 0.59, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2021	0.30

Over the past year, XPND and GDMA have become more correlated (0.59) than their long-term average of 0.30, meaning their price movements have been converging.

XPND vs. GDMA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XPND	GDMA
Technology	76.5%	23.4%
Communication Services	15.7%	7.0%
Financial Services	5.9%	14.5%
Basic Materials	-	9.0%
Consumer Cyclical	-	8.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	3.5%
Energy	-	10.0%
Healthcare	-	5.5%
Industrials	-	14.4%
Real Estate	-	1.6%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

XPND vs. GDMA — Risk / Return Rank

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

XPND

XPND Risk / Return Rank: 45
XPND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
XPND Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
XPND Omega Ratio Rank: 50
XPND Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
XPND Martin Ratio Rank: 36

GDMA

GDMA Risk / Return Rank: 74
GDMA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
GDMA Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
GDMA Omega Ratio Rank: 77
GDMA Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
GDMA Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

XPND vs. GDMA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Expanded Technology ETF (XPND) and Gadsden Dynamic Multi-Asset ETF (GDMA). 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.

	XPND	GDMA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	2.47	-0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.42	3.21	-0.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.47	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.86	4.30	-2.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.46	11.92	-6.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XPND vs. GDMA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XPND Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is comparable to the GDMA Sharpe Ratio of 2.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XPND and GDMA, 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

	XPND	GDMA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.81	2.47	-0.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.80	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.89	-0.20

Drawdowns

XPND vs. GDMA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XPND drawdown since its inception was -38.00%, which is greater than GDMA's maximum drawdown of -16.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XPND and GDMA.

Drawdown Indicators

	XPND	GDMA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.00%	-16.66%	-21.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.38%	-7.53%	-9.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.37%	-7.53%	-15.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-12.74%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.83%	-1.06%	+0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.07%	-3.78%	-6.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.90%	2.71%	+3.19%

Volatility

XPND vs. GDMA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Expanded Technology ETF (XPND) is 4.57%, while Gadsden Dynamic Multi-Asset ETF (GDMA) has a volatility of 6.18%. This indicates that XPND experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GDMA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XPND	GDMA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.57%	6.18%	-1.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.02%	10.03%	+3.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.86%	13.12%	+4.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.88%	9.67%	+14.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.88%	10.97%	+12.91%

XPND vs. GDMA - Expense Ratio Comparison

XPND has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than GDMA's 0.77% expense ratio.

Dividends

XPND vs. GDMA - Dividend Comparison

XPND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.09%, less than GDMA's 2.51% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
GDMA Gadsden Dynamic Multi-Asset ETF	2.51%	2.79%	2.32%	4.14%	1.18%	2.10%	0.62%	3.17%
XPND First Trust Expanded Technology ETF	0.09%	0.08%	0.12%	0.18%	0.34%	0.02%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XPND and GDMA in my portfolio?

XPND and GDMA have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XPND or GDMA?

GDMA has higher volatility (6.18%) compared to XPND (4.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XPND dropped -38.00% vs GDMA's -16.66%.

Which ETF is better, XPND or GDMA?

On 3-year performance, XPND leads with 28.18% vs 16.91% for GDMA. On fees, XPND is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, XPND has been the lower-risk option at 4.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XPND or GDMA?

Over the 3-year period, XPND has performed better with a 28.18% return vs 16.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XPND or GDMA?

XPND is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.77% for GDMA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XPND or GDMA?

GDMA has the higher dividend yield at 2.51%, compared with 0.09% for XPND.

What is the main difference between XPND and GDMA?

XPND is categorized as Technology Equities, while GDMA is Hedge Fund. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Gadsden. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for XPND and 0.77% for GDMA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GDMA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 vs 1.81), 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.