ETY vs FTCS
Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund vs First Trust Capital Strength ETF
Which is better, ETY or FTCS?
Each has led over a different period.
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. ETY led over 3Y and 5Y, FTCS over 1Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 50.5%.
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 | ETY | FTCS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.06% | 0.52%Best |
| AUM | $1.8B | $7.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.52% | 1.22% |
| Holdings | 61 | 102 |
| YTD Return | -2.20% | +6.41%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.84% | +5.59%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.48%Best | +10.51% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.08%Best | +6.06% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.2% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -64.6% | -54.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,748Best | $13,420 |
| Top 10 Weight | 50.5% | 22.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Eaton Vance | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 27, 2006 | Jul 6, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 28, 2006 to Oct 14, 2026 (19.9 years).
ETY 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 19.9 years both funds cover.
ETY vs FTCS Performance
Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund (ETY) is an ETF from Eaton Vance and First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year ETY returned -2.84% while FTCS returned +5.59%. Year to date, ETY is down 2.20% versus a gain of 6.41% for FTCS.
Over three years, ETY compounded at +15.48% per year against +10.51% for FTCS; over five years the annualized figures are +8.08% and +6.06% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, FTCS has the edge at +8.17% annualized vs +0.52%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ETY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.2% compared with 15.7% 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 -64.6% for ETY 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
ETY charges 1.06% per year while FTCS charges 0.52%. On a $10,000 position that is $106 vs $52 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ETY currently yields 7.52% against 1.22% for FTCS.
Holdings Overlap
17.6% of ETY's money is in holdings FTCS also owns. 14.0% of FTCS's money is in holdings ETY also owns.
ETY and FTCS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, ETY as of Jul 31, 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.
7 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in ETY and 50 in FTCS, against full books of 61 and 102.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 43 positions for FTCS that do not appear in our book for ETY (85.9% of the fund), and 45 for ETY that do not appear in FTCS (79.2%).
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 ETY 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, ETY or FTCS?
ETY has an expense ratio of 1.06% while FTCS charges 0.52%. FTCS is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ETY or FTCS?
Over the past year ETY returned -2.84% vs +5.59% for FTCS, so FTCS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), ETY annualized +0.52% vs +8.17% for FTCS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ETY or FTCS?
ETY has been the more volatile fund at 17.2% annualized versus 15.7% for FTCS. Worst drawdown: ETY -64.6% vs FTCS -54.1%.
Should I hold both ETY and FTCS?
ETY 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.
What is the holdings overlap between ETY and FTCS?
17.6% of ETY's money is in holdings FTCS also owns. 14.0% of FTCS's is in holdings ETY also owns. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in ETY and 50 in FTCS.
Which pays a higher dividend, ETY or FTCS?
ETY yields 7.52% while FTCS yields 1.22%, so ETY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is FTCS better than ETY?
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. ETY led over 3Y and 5Y, FTCS over 1Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 50.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.