BGY vs FTCS
BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust vs First Trust Capital Strength ETF
Which is better, BGY or FTCS?
Each has led over a different period.
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. BGY led over 1Y and 3Y, FTCS over 5Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 35.8%.
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 | BGY | FTCS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.99% | 0.52%Best |
| AUM | $569M | $7.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.03% | 1.22% |
| Holdings | 127 | 102 |
| YTD Return | +0.81% | +6.41%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.95%Best | +5.59% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.04%Best | +10.51% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.86% | +6.06%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.0% | 15.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -80.9% | -54.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,294 | $13,420Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 35.8% | 22.5%Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 25, 2007 | Jul 6, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 25, 2007 to Oct 14, 2026 (19.4 years).
BGY 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 19.4 years both funds cover.
BGY vs FTCS Performance
BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year BGY returned +5.95% while FTCS returned +5.59%. Year to date, BGY is up 0.81% versus a gain of 6.41% for FTCS.
Over three years, BGY compounded at +13.04% per year against +10.51% for FTCS; over five years the annualized figures are +5.86% and +6.06% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, FTCS has the edge at +7.70% annualized vs -4.21%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BGY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.0% compared with 15.8% 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 -80.9% for BGY and -54.1% 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 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BGY charges 0.99% per year while FTCS charges 0.52%. On a $10,000 position that is $99 vs $52 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BGY currently yields 8.03% against 1.22% for FTCS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 47 holdings in BGY and 50 in FTCS, totalling 98.3% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 94 days apart, BGY as of Jun 30, 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 47 positions we hold weights for in BGY and 50 in FTCS, against full books of 127 and 102.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 50 positions for FTCS that do not appear in our book for BGY (99.9% of the fund), and 1 for BGY that do not appear in FTCS (0.3%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BGY 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, BGY or FTCS?
BGY has an expense ratio of 0.99% while FTCS charges 0.52%. FTCS is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BGY or FTCS?
Over the past year BGY returned +5.95% vs +5.59% for FTCS, so BGY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), BGY annualized -4.21% vs +7.70% for FTCS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BGY or FTCS?
BGY has been the more volatile fund at 19.0% annualized versus 15.8% for FTCS. Worst drawdown: BGY -80.9% vs FTCS -54.1%.
Should I hold both BGY and FTCS?
BGY and FTCS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BGY or FTCS?
BGY yields 8.03% while FTCS yields 1.22%, so BGY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is FTCS better than BGY?
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. BGY led over 1Y and 3Y, FTCS over 5Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 35.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.