A side-by-side comparison of First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) and BMO Gold Bullion ETF (CAD Units) (ZGLD) 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 | ZGLD |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +10.14%✓ | -5.68% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.75%✓ | -1.33% |
| 1-Week Change | -1.25% | -0.30%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -0.96% | -5.04%✓ |
| Current Price | $30.30 | $60.32 |
| AUM | $3.39B✓ | $1.73B |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.94% | — |
| Dividend Yield | 14.01% | — |
| Distribution Frequency | NA | — |
| Inception Date | 2013-10-22 | 2024-03-08 |
| Holdings Count | 1 | 1 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Broad Commodities | Broad Commodities |
| Beta | 0.91 | 0.00 |
| 52-Week High | $31.59 | $80.54 |
| 52-Week Low | $22.13 | $59.50 |
| 50-Day MA | $30.93 | $64.29 |
| 200-Day MA | $28.60 | $67.03 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | FTGC | ZGLD |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +10.14%✓ | -5.68% |
| 1 Year | +36.14%✓ | +2.12% |
| 3 Year | +16.52% | — |
| 5 Year | +13.12% | — |
| 10 Year | +8.81% | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 19.02% | 25.71% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.94 | 0.00 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Sector Weights
| Sector | FTGC | ZGLD |
|---|---|---|
| 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 ZGLD
BMO Gold Bullion ETF (CAD Units) (ZGLD.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 ZGLD 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 ZGLD?
FTGC (First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund) and ZGLD (BMO Gold Bullion ETF (CAD Units)) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($3.39B vs $1.73B), dividend yield (14.01% vs N/A), and year-to-date performance (+10.14% vs -5.68%).
Is FTGC better than ZGLD?
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 ZGLD on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both FTGC and ZGLD should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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