ALRG vs FTCS
Allspring LT Large Core ETF vs First Trust Capital Strength ETF
Which is better, ALRG or FTCS?
ALRG has been ahead.
ALRG has a lower expense ratio. ALRG led over 1Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.1%.
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 | ALRG | FTCS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.28%Best | 0.52% |
| AUM | $8M | $7.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.42% | 1.22% |
| Holdings | 51 | 102 |
| YTD Return | +14.63%Best | +7.80% |
| 1Y Return | +18.42%Best | +7.60% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +10.98% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +6.21% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.9%Best | 12.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -9.3% | -8.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $12,936Best | $10,978 |
| Top 10 Weight | 47.1% | 22.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Allspring Global Investments | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 8, 2025 | Jul 6, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 8, 2025 to Oct 15, 2026 (1.3 years).
ALRG 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 1.3 years both funds cover.
ALRG vs FTCS Performance
Allspring LT Large Core ETF (ALRG) is an ETF from Allspring Global Investments and First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year ALRG returned +18.42% while FTCS returned +7.60%. Year to date, ALRG is up 14.63% versus a gain of 7.80% for FTCS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTCS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.4% compared with 11.9% for ALRG. 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 -9.3% for ALRG and -8.1% 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 0.35. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ALRG charges 0.28% per year while FTCS charges 0.52%. On a $10,000 position that is $28 vs $52 annually, a gap of $24 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ALRG currently yields 0.42% against 1.22% for FTCS.
Holdings Overlap
16.1% of ALRG's money is in holdings FTCS also owns. 13.9% of FTCS's money is in holdings ALRG also owns.
ALRG and FTCS share little of their money.
7 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in ALRG and 50 in FTCS, against full books of 51 and 102.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 43 positions for FTCS that do not appear in our book for ALRG (85.9% of the fund), and 37 for ALRG that do not appear in FTCS (73.5%).
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
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ALRG and FTCS 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, ALRG or FTCS?
ALRG has an expense ratio of 0.28% while FTCS charges 0.52%. ALRG is the cheaper option, by $24 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ALRG or FTCS?
Over the past year ALRG returned +18.42% vs +7.60% for FTCS, so ALRG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), ALRG annualized +21.90% vs +7.44% for FTCS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ALRG or FTCS?
FTCS has been the more volatile fund at 12.4% annualized versus 11.9% for ALRG. Worst drawdown: ALRG -9.3% vs FTCS -8.1%.
Should I hold both ALRG and FTCS?
ALRG and FTCS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.35, 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 ALRG and FTCS?
16.1% of ALRG's money is in holdings FTCS also owns. 13.9% of FTCS's is in holdings ALRG also owns. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in ALRG and 50 in FTCS.
Which pays a higher dividend, ALRG or FTCS?
ALRG yields 0.42% while FTCS yields 1.22%, so FTCS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is FTCS better than ALRG?
ALRG has a lower expense ratio. ALRG led over 1Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.