ACVF vs FTCS
American Conservative Values ETF vs First Trust Capital Strength ETF
Which is better, ACVF or FTCS?
ACVF has been ahead.
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. ACVF led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 28.8%.
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 | ACVF | FTCS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.52%Best |
| AUM | $155M | $7.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.49% | 1.22% |
| Holdings | 778 | 102 |
| YTD Return | +11.40%Best | +6.41% |
| 1Y Return | +12.34%Best | +5.59% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.66%Best | +10.51% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.53%Best | +6.06% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.7% | 13.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -24.4% | -20.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,257Best | $13,420 |
| Top 10 Weight | 28.8% | 22.5%Best |
| Fund Family | ACV ETFs | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 28, 2020 | Jul 6, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 29, 2020 to Oct 14, 2026 (6 years).
ACVF vs FTCS 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 6 years both funds cover.
ACVF vs FTCS Performance
American Conservative Values ETF (ACVF) is an ETF from ACV ETFs and First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year ACVF returned +12.34% while FTCS returned +5.59%. Year to date, ACVF is up 11.40% versus a gain of 6.41% for FTCS.
Over three years, ACVF compounded at +18.66% per year against +10.51% for FTCS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.53% and +6.06% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, ACVF has the edge at +15.29% annualized vs +9.51%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ACVF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% compared with 13.9% for FTCS. 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 -24.4% for ACVF and -20.9% for FTCS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ACVF charges 0.75% per year while FTCS charges 0.52%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $52 annually, a gap of $23 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ACVF currently yields 0.49% against 1.22% for FTCS.
Holdings Overlap
14.3% of ACVF's money is in holdings FTCS also owns. 80.0% of FTCS's money is in holdings ACVF also owns.
Most of FTCS is already inside ACVF. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
40 positions in common, counted across the 387 positions we hold weights for in ACVF and 50 in FTCS, against full books of 778 and 102.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 10 positions for FTCS that do not appear in our book for ACVF (19.9% of the fund), and 333 for ACVF that do not appear in FTCS (85.0%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ACVF | Weight in FTCS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAMastercard Inc. Cl A | 1.53% | 2.10% | 0.57% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 1.64% | 1.89% | 0.25% |
| MRKMerck & Co. Inc. | 0.82% | 2.34% | 1.52% |
| ABNBAIRBNB INC CLASS A | 0.74% | 2.30% | 1.56% |
| GRMNGarmin Ltd Common Stock | 0.51% | 2.33% | 1.82% |
| HDHome Depot Inc | 1.09% | 1.73% | 0.64% |
| CMECme Group, Inc | 0.46% | 2.22% | 1.76% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 0.59% | 2.00% | 1.41% |
| TJXTjx Companies Inc | 0.77% | 1.78% | 1.01% |
| PEPPepsico Inc | 0.64% | 1.90% | 1.26% |
80.0% of FTCS is already inside ACVF.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ACVF or FTCS?
ACVF has an expense ratio of 0.75% while FTCS charges 0.52%. FTCS is the cheaper option, by $23 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ACVF or FTCS?
Over the past year ACVF returned +12.34% vs +5.59% for FTCS, so ACVF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), ACVF annualized +15.29% vs +9.51% for FTCS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ACVF or FTCS?
ACVF has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 13.9% for FTCS. Worst drawdown: ACVF -24.4% vs FTCS -20.9%.
Should I hold both ACVF and FTCS?
ACVF and FTCS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between ACVF and FTCS?
80.0% of FTCS's money is in holdings ACVF also owns. 80.0% of FTCS's is in holdings ACVF also owns. They hold 40 positions in common, counted across the 387 positions we hold weights for in ACVF and 50 in FTCS.
Which pays a higher dividend, ACVF or FTCS?
ACVF yields 0.49% while FTCS yields 1.22%, so FTCS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is FTCS better than ACVF?
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. ACVF led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 28.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.