FDAT vs FTCS
Tactical Advantage ETF vs First Trust Capital Strength ETF
Which is better, FDAT or FTCS?
FTCS has been ahead.
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. FTCS led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window.
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 | FDAT | FTCS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.16% | 0.52%Best |
| AUM | $36M | $7.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.94% | 1.22% |
| Holdings | 9 | 102 |
| YTD Return | +2.79% | +6.41%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.00% | +5.59%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.28% | +10.51%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +6.06% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.6%Best | 11.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.2%Best | -12.6% |
| $10,000 over 3.5 years | $13,015 | $13,862Best |
| Top 10 Weight | - | 22.5% |
| Fund Family | Tactical Advantage | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 11, 2023 | Jul 6, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 20, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (3.5 years).
FDAT 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 3.5 years both funds cover.
FDAT vs FTCS Performance
Tactical Advantage ETF (FDAT) is an ETF from Tactical Advantage and First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year FDAT returned +2.00% while FTCS returned +5.59%. Year to date, FDAT is up 2.79% versus a gain of 6.41% for FTCS.
Over three years, FDAT compounded at +9.28% per year against +10.51% for FTCS. Across the full 4-year window we track, FTCS has the edge at +9.78% annualized vs +7.82%.
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 8.6% for FDAT. 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 -8.2% for FDAT 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 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FDAT charges 1.16% per year while FTCS charges 0.52%. On a $10,000 position that is $116 vs $52 annually, a gap of $64 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FDAT currently yields 5.94% against 1.22% for FTCS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8 holdings in FDAT and 50 in FTCS, totalling 100.0% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 8 positions we hold weights for in FDAT and 50 in FTCS, against full books of 9 and 102.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 50 positions for FTCS that do not appear in our book for FDAT (99.9% of the fund), and 8 for FDAT that do not appear in FTCS (100.0%).
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 FDAT 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, FDAT or FTCS?
FDAT has an expense ratio of 1.16% while FTCS charges 0.52%. FTCS is the cheaper option, by $64 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FDAT or FTCS?
Over the past year FDAT returned +2.00% vs +5.59% for FTCS, so FTCS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), FDAT annualized +7.82% vs +9.78% for FTCS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FDAT or FTCS?
FTCS has been the more volatile fund at 11.3% annualized versus 8.6% for FDAT. Worst drawdown: FDAT -8.2% vs FTCS -12.6%.
Should I hold both FDAT and FTCS?
FDAT and FTCS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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, FDAT or FTCS?
FDAT yields 5.94% while FTCS yields 1.22%, so FDAT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is FTCS better than FDAT?
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. FTCS led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.