FTGC vs IVV
First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FTGC or IVV?
Commodities against Large Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. FTGC led over 1Y and 5Y, IVV over 3Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | FTGC | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.98% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $3.3B | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 14.26% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 3 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +37.61%Best | +12.51% |
| 1Y Return | +45.24%Best | +17.57% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.98% | +21.27%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.89%Best | +12.95% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.6%Best | 14.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -60.6% | -33.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,018Best | $18,384 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Commodities | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 21, 2013 | May 15, 2000 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 23, 2013 to Sep 11, 2026 (12.9 years).
FTGC vs IVV growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 12.9 years both funds cover.
FTGC vs IVV Performance
First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year FTGC returned +45.24% while IVV returned +17.57%. Year to date, FTGC is up 37.61% versus a gain of 12.51% for IVV.
Over three years, FTGC compounded at +16.98% per year against +21.27% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +14.89% and +12.95% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +12.80% annualized vs +3.68%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 13.6% for FTGC. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -60.6% for FTGC and -33.9% for IVV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.36. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTGC charges 0.98% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $98 vs $3 annually, a gap of $95 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTGC currently yields 14.26% against 1.06% for IVV.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTGC and IVV you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FTGC or IVV?
FTGC has an expense ratio of 0.98% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $95 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTGC or IVV?
Over the past year FTGC returned +45.24% vs +17.57% for IVV, so FTGC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), FTGC annualized +3.68% vs +12.80% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTGC or IVV?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 13.6% for FTGC. Worst drawdown: FTGC -60.6% vs IVV -33.9%.
Should I hold both FTGC and IVV?
FTGC and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.36, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTGC or IVV?
FTGC yields 14.26% while IVV yields 1.06%, so FTGC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than FTGC?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. FTGC led over 1Y and 5Y, IVV over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.