First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG) Performance
FCG total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- +39.5% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +44.1% total return
- 5 years
- +14.8% a year
- 10 years
- +4.9% a year
- Since first price
- −3.9% a year since 2007
FCG trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | FCG total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | +8.2% | +8.2% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | +10.4% | +9.7% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | +8.0% | +6.7% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | +39.5% | +37.2% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +44.1% | +40.8% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| 3 years | +31.6%+9.6%/yr | +21.5% | +87.4%+23.3%/yr | +101.4%+26.3%/yr | +16.6%+5.2%/yr |
| 5 years | +99.3%+14.8%/yr | +72.2% | +79.3%+12.4%/yr | +94.0%+14.2%/yr | −0.8%−0.2%/yr |
| 10 years | +61.9%+4.9%/yr | +24.5% | +315.9%+15.3%/yr | +538.9%+20.4%/yr | +14.0%+1.3%/yr |
| 15 years | −52.1%−4.8%/yr | −65.4% | +696.0%+14.8%/yr | +1,299.3%+19.2%/yr | +32.2%+1.9%/yr |
| Since inceptionMay 11, 2007 | −53.9%−3.9%/yr | −67.5% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: FCG vs SPY
From May 11, 2007: FCG grew to $4,608, SPY to $71,926.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
FCG returns by calendar year
8 of 18 full years positive. Best 2021 (+98.5%), worst 2015 (−59.1%). 2026 is year to date.
FCG annual returns table
| Year | FCG | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +39.5% | −19.7% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | −2.3% | −28.0% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
| 2024 | +4.2% | −17.7% | +24.9% | +25.6% | +1.3% |
| 2023 | +2.5% | −19.2% | +26.2% | +54.9% | +5.7% |
| 2022 | +47.2% | −33.3% | −18.2% | −32.6% | −13.0% |
| 2021 | +98.5% | −26.7% | +28.7% | +27.4% | −1.8% |
| 2020 | −23.2% | −68.5% | +18.3% | +48.6% | +7.5% |
| 2019 | −15.8% | −43.6% | +31.2% | +39.0% | +8.5% |
| 2018 | −34.8% | −43.9% | −4.6% | −0.1% | +0.1% |
| 2017 | −11.4% | −29.2% | +21.7% | +32.7% | +3.6% |
| 2016 | +19.5% | −29.3% | +12.0% | +7.1% | +2.4% |
| 2015 | −59.1% | −65.9% | +1.2% | +9.4% | +0.5% |
| 2014 | −42.0% | −57.5% | +13.5% | +19.2% | +6.0% |
| 2013 | +24.9% | −11.5% | +32.3% | +36.6% | −2.0% |
| 2012 | −13.4% | −26.0% | +16.0% | +18.1% | +3.8% |
| 2011 | −7.2% | −36.2% | +1.9% | +3.4% | +7.7% |
| 2010 | +12.2% | −23.9% | +15.1% | +19.9% | +6.4% |
| 2009 | +50.1% | −38.4% | +26.4% | +54.7% | +3.0% |
| 2008 | −46.4% | −69.0% | −36.8% | −41.7% | +7.9% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
FCG largest drawdowns
Now 71.9% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 18, 2008 | −97.2% | Mar 23, 2020 | not yet | 11.8 years | 18.3 years so far |
| Jun 15, 2007 | −16.1% | Aug 28, 2007 | Oct 12, 2007 | 2 months | 4 months |
| Jan 14, 2008 | −11.8% | Jan 23, 2008 | Feb 20, 2008 | 9 days | 37 days |
| Nov 6, 2007 | −11.3% | Nov 27, 2007 | Jan 3, 2008 | 21 days | 58 days |
| Feb 28, 2008 | −11.0% | Mar 20, 2008 | Apr 7, 2008 | 21 days | 39 days |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 10% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
FCG risk statistics
| Statistic | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | Since 2007 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annualized return | +5.9% | +14.4% | +3.4% | −4.8% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.2% | 28.8% | 45.2% | 40.8% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.17 | 0.48 | 0.23 | 0.04 |
| Sortino ratio | 0.27 | 0.78 | 0.40 | 0.06 |
| Best month | +14.0% | +19.5% | +84.8% | +84.8% |
| Worst month | −16.1% | −22.7% | −44.7% | −44.7% |
| Best 12 months | +54.5% | +64.4% | +220.9% | +220.9% |
| Worst 12 months | −20.7% | −21.9% | −75.1% | −75.1% |
| Positive months | 47% | 52% | 48% | 50% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | -0.01 | 0.59 | 1.50 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | -0.00 | 0.32 | 0.51 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
FCG rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 222 | −75.1% | −2.1% | +220.9% | 47% |
| 3-year (a year) | 198 | −43.4% | −3.4% | +81.4% | 43% |
| 5-year (a year) | 174 | −38.6% | −6.1% | +47.5% | 40% |
| 10-year (a year) | 114 | −25.2% | −11.1% | +8.0% | 11% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2007. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
FCG performance overview
First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG) returned +44.1% over the past year and +4.9% a year over ten years, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price in 2007 it has returned −3.9% a year, turning $10,000 into about $4,608. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
The deepest decline was −97.2%, from Jun 18, 2008 to Mar 23, 2020; the fund has not yet regained that high. FCG finished 8 of its 18 full calendar years with a gain; the best year was 2021 (+98.5%) and the worst 2015 (−59.1%). Volatility has been 40.8% a year.
Related: FCG chart, FCG holdings, FCG dividends, FCG valuation. See the FCG overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
FCG performance FAQ
What is the FCG return over the past year?
FCG returned +44.1% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it rose 40.8%.
What is the average annual return of FCG?
FCG has returned +14.8% a year over 5 years, +4.9% a year over 10 years, −3.9% a year since May 11, 2007 (total return, distributions reinvested).
How much would $10,000 invested in FCG be worth?
$10,000 invested in FCG at its first recorded close on May 11, 2007 would be worth about $4,608 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What was the worst year for FCG?
The worst calendar year was 2015, with a total return of −59.1%. The best was 2021 at +98.5%.
What is the biggest drawdown of FCG?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −97.2% between June 18, 2008 and March 23, 2020. It has not yet recovered to that high; it is 71.9% below its peak.
How volatile is FCG?
Over the past 3 years FCG had an annualized volatility of 23.2% and a Sharpe ratio of 0.17 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).