XPND vs. IGLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XPND (First Trust Expanded Technology ETF) and IGLD (FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XPND is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by First Trust, while IGLD is a Precious Metals fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, XPND returned 28.18%/yr vs 23.01%/yr for IGLD. At a 0.10 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XPND charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for IGLD.

Performance

XPND vs. IGLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Expanded Technology ETF (XPND) and FT Cboe 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, XPND achieves a 16.32% return, which is significantly higher than IGLD's 1.69% return.

XPND

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

IGLD

• 1D: -0.81%
• 1M: -1.33%
• YTD: 1.69%
• 6M: 4.44%
• 1Y: 24.53%
• 3Y*: 23.01%
• 5Y*: 13.02%
• 10Y*: —

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

XPND vs. IGLD - 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%
IGLD FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	1.69%	47.46%	19.36%	9.24%	-2.34%	-1.92%

Correlation

The correlation between XPND and IGLD is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2021	0.10

The correlation between XPND and IGLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.10 (all time) to 0.21 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

XPND vs. IGLD — 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

IGLD

IGLD Risk / Return Rank: 28
IGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
IGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
IGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 32
IGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
IGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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. IGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Expanded Technology ETF (XPND) and FT Cboe 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.

	XPND	IGLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	1.06	+0.75
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.42	1.47	+0.95
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.22	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.86	1.40	+0.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.46	3.82	+1.63
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. IGLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XPND Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is higher than the IGLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XPND 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	XPND	IGLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.81	1.06	+0.75
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.86	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.94	-0.25

Drawdowns

XPND vs. IGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XPND drawdown since its inception was -38.00%, which is greater than IGLD's maximum drawdown of -18.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XPND and IGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	XPND	IGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.00%	-18.59%	-19.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.38%	-17.56%	+0.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.37%	-17.56%	-5.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-18.59%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.83%	-15.16%	+14.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.07%	-5.24%	-4.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.90%	6.43%	-0.53%

Volatility

XPND vs. IGLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Expanded Technology ETF (XPND) is 4.57%, while FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) has a volatility of 5.12%. This indicates that XPND 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

	XPND	IGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.57%	5.12%	-0.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.02%	21.01%	-6.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.86%	23.24%	-5.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.88%	15.17%	+8.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.88%	15.00%	+8.88%

XPND vs. IGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

XPND has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than IGLD's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

XPND vs. IGLD - Dividend Comparison

XPND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.09%, less than IGLD's 17.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IGLD FT Cboe Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF	17.92%	9.91%	20.81%	7.85%	4.45%	2.24%
XPND First Trust Expanded Technology ETF	0.09%	0.08%	0.12%	0.18%	0.34%	0.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XPND and IGLD in my portfolio?

XPND and IGLD have a correlation of 0.21, 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 IGLD?

IGLD has higher volatility (5.12%) compared to XPND (4.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XPND dropped -38.00% vs IGLD's -18.59%.

Which ETF is better, XPND or IGLD?

On 3-year performance, XPND leads with 28.18% vs 23.01% for IGLD. 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 IGLD?

Over the 3-year period, XPND has performed better with a 28.18% return vs 23.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XPND or IGLD?

XPND is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for IGLD.

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

IGLD has the higher dividend yield at 17.92%, compared with 0.09% for XPND.

What is the main difference between XPND and IGLD?

XPND is categorized as Technology Equities, while IGLD is Precious Metals. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for XPND and 0.85% for IGLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XPND currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs 1.06), 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.