FIIG vs GBND
First Trust Intermediate Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF vs Goldman Sachs Core Bond ETF
Which is better, FIIG or GBND?
Nearly the same fund. GBND costs less.
GBND has a lower expense ratio. GBND led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98.
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 | FIIG | GBND |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.25%Best |
| AUM | $628M | $601M |
| Dividend Yield | 5.26% | 4.01% |
| Holdings | 471 | 747 |
| YTD Return | -2.62% | -1.88%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.69% | -1.65%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.60% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.2% | 4.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -5.0% | -4.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $10,053 | $10,145Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Goldman Sachs Asset Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Inception | Aug 2, 2023 | Jun 24, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight, Style.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2025 to Oct 15, 2026 (1.3 years).
FIIG vs GBND 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 1.3 years both funds cover.
FIIG vs GBND Performance
First Trust Intermediate Duration Investment Grade Corporate ETF (FIIG) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Goldman Sachs Core Bond ETF (GBND) is an ETF from Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Over the past year FIIG returned -2.69% while GBND returned -1.65%. Year to date, FIIG is down 2.62% versus a loss of 1.88% for GBND.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FIIG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 4.2% compared with 4.1% for GBND. 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 -5.0% for FIIG and -4.9% for GBND. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FIIG charges 0.49% per year while GBND charges 0.25%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $25 annually, a gap of $24 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FIIG currently yields 5.26% against 4.01% for GBND.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FIIG and GBND 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, FIIG or GBND?
FIIG has an expense ratio of 0.49% while GBND charges 0.25%. GBND is the cheaper option, by $24 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FIIG or GBND?
Over the past year FIIG returned -2.69% vs -1.65% for GBND, so GBND leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), FIIG annualized +0.41% vs +1.11% for GBND. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FIIG or GBND?
FIIG has been the more volatile fund at 4.2% annualized versus 4.1% for GBND. Worst drawdown: FIIG -5.0% vs GBND -4.9%.
Should I hold both FIIG and GBND?
FIIG and GBND have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, FIIG or GBND?
FIIG yields 5.26% while GBND yields 4.01%, so FIIG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is GBND better than FIIG?
GBND has a lower expense ratio. GBND led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.