BELT vs FTCS
iShares US Select Equity Active ETF vs First Trust Capital Strength ETF
Which is better, BELT or FTCS?
BELT has been ahead.
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. BELT led over 1Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 68.5%.
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 | BELT | FTCS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.52%Best |
| AUM | $10M | $7.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.02% | 1.22% |
| Holdings | 20 | 102 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.8% | 10.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.1% | -12.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.1 years | $13,054Best | $12,104 |
| Top 10 Weight | 68.5% | 22.5%Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 17, 2024 | Jul 6, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 64 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. BELT has data through Aug 12, 2026 and FTCS through Oct 15, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 18, 2024 to Aug 12, 2026 (2.1 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BELT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.8% compared with 10.4% 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 -23.1% for BELT and -12.6% 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 0.28. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BELT 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, BELT currently yields 0.02% against 1.22% for FTCS.
Holdings Overlap
4.5% of BELT's money is in holdings FTCS also owns. 2.1% of FTCS's money is in holdings BELT also owns.
BELT and FTCS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 58 days apart, BELT as of Aug 5, 2026 and FTCS as of Oct 2, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1 positions in common, counted across the 19 positions we hold weights for in BELT and 50 in FTCS, against full books of 20 and 102.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 49 positions for FTCS that do not appear in our book for BELT (97.8% of the fund), and 16 for BELT that do not appear in FTCS (86.4%).
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 BELT | Weight in FTCS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAMastercard Inc | 4.45% | 2.10% | 2.35% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BELT 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, BELT or FTCS?
BELT 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 is riskier, BELT or FTCS?
BELT has been the more volatile fund at 18.8% annualized versus 10.4% for FTCS. Worst drawdown: BELT -23.1% vs FTCS -12.6%.
Should I hold both BELT and FTCS?
BELT and FTCS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.28, 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 BELT and FTCS?
4.5% of BELT's money is in holdings FTCS also owns. 2.1% of FTCS's is in holdings BELT also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 19 positions we hold weights for in BELT and 50 in FTCS.
Which pays a higher dividend, BELT or FTCS?
BELT yields 0.02% while FTCS yields 1.22%, so FTCS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is FTCS better than BELT?
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. BELT led over 1Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 68.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.