CGUS vs FTCS
Capital Group Core Equity ETF vs First Trust Capital Strength ETF
Which is better, CGUS or FTCS?
CGUS has been ahead.
CGUS has a lower expense ratio. CGUS led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.8%.
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 | CGUS | FTCS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.33%Best | 0.52% |
| AUM | $12.3B | $7.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.83% | 1.22% |
| Holdings | 75 | 102 |
| YTD Return | +11.95%Best | +6.41% |
| 1Y Return | +15.39%Best | +5.59% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.76%Best | +10.51% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +6.06% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.7% | 13.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -21.9% | -15.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.6 years | $19,073Best | $13,983 |
| Top 10 Weight | 43.8% | 22.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Capital Group (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 22, 2022 | Jul 6, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 24, 2022 to Oct 14, 2026 (4.6 years).
CGUS 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 4.6 years both funds cover.
CGUS vs FTCS Performance
Capital Group Core Equity ETF (CGUS) 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 CGUS returned +15.39% while FTCS returned +5.59%. Year to date, CGUS is up 11.95% versus a gain of 6.41% for FTCS.
Over three years, CGUS compounded at +21.76% per year against +10.51% for FTCS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CGUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% compared with 13.1% 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 -21.9% for CGUS and -15.6% 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CGUS 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, CGUS currently yields 0.83% against 1.22% for FTCS.
Holdings Overlap
9.6% of CGUS's money is in holdings FTCS also owns. 16.1% of FTCS's money is in holdings CGUS also owns.
FTCS and CGUS share little of their money.
8 positions in common, counted across the 68 positions we hold weights for in CGUS and 50 in FTCS, against full books of 75 and 102.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 42 positions for FTCS that do not appear in our book for CGUS (83.8% of the fund), and 51 for CGUS that do not appear in FTCS (79.8%).
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 CGUS | Weight in FTCS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 2.53% | 2.07% | 0.46% |
| VRTXVertex Pharmaceuticals Inc | 1.78% | 2.15% | 0.37% |
| MAMastercard Inc. Cl A | 1.62% | 2.10% | 0.48% |
| ADPAutomatic Data Processing | 1.30% | 2.09% | 0.79% |
| VVisa Inc. Cl A | 0.69% | 2.08% | 1.39% |
| MMCMarsh + Mclennan Cos | 0.53% | 1.93% | 1.40% |
| HDHome Depot Inc | 0.72% | 1.73% | 1.01% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 0.42% | 1.91% | 1.49% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CGUS 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, CGUS or FTCS?
CGUS has an expense ratio of 0.33% while FTCS charges 0.52%. CGUS is the cheaper option, by $19 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CGUS or FTCS?
Over the past year CGUS returned +15.39% vs +5.59% for FTCS, so CGUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CGUS or FTCS?
CGUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 13.1% for FTCS. Worst drawdown: CGUS -21.9% vs FTCS -15.6%.
Should I hold both CGUS and FTCS?
CGUS and FTCS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 CGUS and FTCS?
16.1% of FTCS's money is in holdings CGUS also owns. 16.1% of FTCS's is in holdings CGUS also owns. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 68 positions we hold weights for in CGUS and 50 in FTCS.
Which pays a higher dividend, CGUS or FTCS?
CGUS yields 0.83% while FTCS yields 1.22%, so FTCS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is FTCS better than CGUS?
CGUS has a lower expense ratio. CGUS led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.