CGCV vs FTCS
Capital Group Conservative Equity ETF vs First Trust Capital Strength ETF
Which is better, CGCV or FTCS?
CGCV has been ahead.
CGCV has a lower expense ratio. CGCV led over 1Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.0%.
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 | CGCV | FTCS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.33%Best | 0.52% |
| AUM | $2.1B | $7.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.59% | 1.22% |
| Holdings | 146 | 102 |
| YTD Return | +8.70%Best | +6.41% |
| 1Y Return | +11.37%Best | +5.59% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +10.51% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +6.06% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.9%Best | 11.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.1% | -12.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.3 years | $13,706Best | $11,906 |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.0% | 22.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Capital Group (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 25, 2024 | Jul 6, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 27, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.3 years).
CGCV 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 2.3 years both funds cover.
CGCV vs FTCS Performance
Capital Group Conservative Equity ETF (CGCV) is an ETF from Capital Group (US) and First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year CGCV returned +11.37% while FTCS returned +5.59%. Year to date, CGCV is up 8.70% versus a gain of 6.41% 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 11.3% compared with 9.9% for CGCV. 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 -13.1% for CGCV 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CGCV charges 0.33% per year while FTCS charges 0.52%. On a $10,000 position that is $33 vs $52 annually, a gap of $19 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CGCV currently yields 1.59% against 1.22% for FTCS.
Holdings Overlap
17.1% of CGCV's money is in holdings FTCS also owns. 28.6% of FTCS's money is in holdings CGCV also owns.
FTCS and CGCV share little of their money.
14 positions in common, counted across the 73 positions we hold weights for in CGCV and 50 in FTCS, against full books of 146 and 102.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 36 positions for FTCS that do not appear in our book for CGCV (71.3% of the fund), and 55 for CGCV that do not appear in FTCS (77.7%).
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 CGCV | Weight in FTCS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 3.07% | 2.07% | 1.00% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 1.70% | 2.17% | 0.47% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 1.55% | 1.91% | 0.36% |
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 1.51% | 1.93% | 0.42% |
| HDHome Depot Inc | 1.61% | 1.73% | 0.12% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson | 1.18% | 2.09% | 0.91% |
| ADPAutomatic Data Processing | 1.15% | 2.09% | 0.94% |
| GILDGilead Sciences Inc | 0.81% | 2.23% | 1.42% |
| MAMastercard Inc. Cl A | 0.88% | 2.10% | 1.22% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 0.93% | 2.00% | 1.07% |
28.6% of FTCS is already inside CGCV.
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, CGCV or FTCS?
CGCV has an expense ratio of 0.33% while FTCS charges 0.52%. CGCV is the cheaper option, by $19 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CGCV or FTCS?
Over the past year CGCV returned +11.37% vs +5.59% for FTCS, so CGCV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), CGCV annualized +14.69% vs +7.88% for FTCS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CGCV or FTCS?
FTCS has been the more volatile fund at 11.3% annualized versus 9.9% for CGCV. Worst drawdown: CGCV -13.1% vs FTCS -12.6%.
Should I hold both CGCV and FTCS?
CGCV and FTCS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 CGCV and FTCS?
28.6% of FTCS's money is in holdings CGCV also owns. 28.6% of FTCS's is in holdings CGCV also owns. They hold 14 positions in common, counted across the 73 positions we hold weights for in CGCV and 50 in FTCS.
Which pays a higher dividend, CGCV or FTCS?
CGCV yields 1.59% while FTCS yields 1.22%, so CGCV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is FTCS better than CGCV?
CGCV has a lower expense ratio. CGCV led over 1Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.