A side-by-side comparison of First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) and iShares Gold Bullion ETF (CAD-Hedged) (CGL) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | FTGC | CGL |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +10.14%✓ | -9.22% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.75%✓ | -1.24% |
| 1-Week Change | -1.25% | -0.26%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -0.96% | -3.87%✓ |
| Current Price | $30.30 | $30.32 |
| AUM | $3.39B✓ | $2.06B |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.94% | — |
| Dividend Yield | 14.01% | — |
| Distribution Frequency | NA | None |
| Inception Date | 2013-10-22 | 2009-05-28 |
| Holdings Count | 1 | 1 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Broad Commodities | Broad Commodities |
| Beta | 0.91 | 0.20 |
| 52-Week High | $31.59 | $42.58 |
| 52-Week Low | $22.13 | $30.01 |
| 50-Day MA | $30.93 | $32.40 |
| 200-Day MA | $28.60 | $34.40 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | FTGC | CGL |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +10.14%✓ | -9.22% |
| 1 Year | +36.14%✓ | -0.68% |
| 3 Year | +16.52% | +24.88%✓ |
| 5 Year | +13.12% | +15.64%✓ |
| 10 Year | +8.81% | +10.98%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 19.02% | 31.24% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.94 | 1.18 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | MISXX | Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds - Treasury Portfolio | 13.91% |
| 1 | 100.00% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | FTGC | CGL |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 0.00% |
About FTGC
The fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (ETF) that seeks to achieve attractive risk adjusted returns by investing in commodity futures contracts, exchange-traded commodity linked instruments, and commodity linked total return swaps (collectively, Commodities Instruments) through a wholly-owned subsidiary of the fund organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the Subsidiary). The advisor expects to gain exposure to these investments exclusively by investing in the Subsidiary.
About CGL
iShares Gold Bullion ETF (CAD-Hedged) (CGL.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both FTGC and CGL are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, FTGC scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between FTGC and CGL?
FTGC (First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund) and CGL (iShares Gold Bullion ETF (CAD-Hedged)) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($3.39B vs $2.06B), dividend yield (14.01% vs N/A), and year-to-date performance (+10.14% vs -9.22%).
Is FTGC better than CGL?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, FTGC has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy FTGC and CGL on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both FTGC and CGL should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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