FGSI vs FTCS
FT Vest Growth Strength & Target Income ETF vs First Trust Capital Strength ETF
Which is better, FGSI or FTCS?
Each has led over a different period.
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. FGSI led over the full window, FTCS over 1Y. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 24.2%.
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 | FGSI | FTCS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.52%Best |
| AUM | $2M | $7.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.42% | 1.22% |
| Holdings | 104 | 102 |
| YTD Return | +8.87%Best | +7.80% |
| 1Y Return | +5.98% | +7.60%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +10.98% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +6.21% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.8%Best | 12.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.6% | -8.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $11,279Best | $11,147 |
| Top 10 Weight | 24.2% | 22.5%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 25, 2025 | Jul 6, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2025 to Oct 15, 2026 (1.3 years).
FGSI 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 1.3 years both funds cover.
FGSI vs FTCS Performance
FT Vest Growth Strength & Target Income ETF (FGSI) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year FGSI returned +5.98% while FTCS returned +7.60%. Year to date, FGSI is up 8.87% versus a gain of 7.80% 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 12.0% compared with 8.8% for FGSI. 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 -8.6% for FGSI and -8.1% 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 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FGSI charges 0.85% per year while FTCS charges 0.52%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $52 annually, a gap of $33 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FGSI currently yields 8.42% against 1.22% for FTCS.
Holdings Overlap
27.9% of FGSI's money is in holdings FTCS also owns. 29.6% of FTCS's money is in holdings FGSI also owns.
FTCS and FGSI share little of their money.
15 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FGSI and 50 in FTCS, against full books of 104 and 102.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 35 positions for FTCS that do not appear in our book for FGSI (70.3% of the fund), and 35 for FGSI that do not appear in FTCS (71.5%).
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 FGSI | Weight in FTCS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GRMNGarminltd. | 2.20% | 2.33% | 0.13% |
| RMDResmed Inc. | 2.15% | 2.27% | 0.12% |
| CMEC M E Group Inc. | 2.09% | 2.22% | 0.13% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 1.98% | 2.10% | 0.12% |
| ROSTRoss Stores, Inc. | 1.91% | 2.02% | 0.11% |
| COSTCostco Wholesale Corp. | 1.90% | 2.02% | 0.12% |
| CBChubb Ltd Common Stock Usd 24.15 | 1.84% | 1.94% | 0.10% |
| MMCMarsh & Mclennan Cos Inc Common Stock Usd 1 | 1.82% | 1.93% | 0.11% |
| NOCNorthrop Grumman Corp. | 1.78% | 1.89% | 0.11% |
| CINFCincinnati Financial Corp. | 1.75% | 1.85% | 0.10% |
29.6% of FTCS is already inside FGSI.
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, FGSI or FTCS?
FGSI has an expense ratio of 0.85% while FTCS charges 0.52%. FTCS is the cheaper option, by $33 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FGSI or FTCS?
Over the past year FGSI returned +5.98% vs +7.60% for FTCS, so FTCS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), FGSI annualized +9.70% vs +8.71% for FTCS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FGSI or FTCS?
FTCS has been the more volatile fund at 12.0% annualized versus 8.8% for FGSI. Worst drawdown: FGSI -8.6% vs FTCS -8.1%.
Should I hold both FGSI and FTCS?
FGSI and FTCS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, 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 FGSI and FTCS?
29.6% of FTCS's money is in holdings FGSI also owns. 29.6% of FTCS's is in holdings FGSI also owns. They hold 15 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FGSI and 50 in FTCS.
Which pays a higher dividend, FGSI or FTCS?
FGSI yields 8.42% while FTCS yields 1.22%, so FGSI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is FTCS better than FGSI?
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. FGSI led over the full window, FTCS over 1Y. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 24.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.