FTCB vs JIII
First Trust Core Investment Grade ETF vs Janus Henderson Income ETF
Which is better, FTCB or JIII?
JIII has been ahead.
JIII has a lower expense ratio. JIII led over 1Y 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 | FTCB | JIII |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.56% | 0.54%Best |
| AUM | $2.7B | $274M |
| Dividend Yield | 5.59% | 7.91% |
| Holdings | 1,580 | 596 |
| YTD Return | -2.74% | -0.16%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.07% | +1.56%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.36% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.4% | 3.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -5.6% | -3.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.9 years | $10,473 | $10,862Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Janus Henderson Investors |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | Investment Grade Bond | Investment Grade Bond |
| Inception | Nov 7, 2023 | Nov 12, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 13, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.9 years).
FTCB vs JIII 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 1.9 years both funds cover.
FTCB vs JIII Performance
First Trust Core Investment Grade ETF (FTCB) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Janus Henderson Income ETF (JIII) is an ETF from Janus Henderson Investors. Over the past year FTCB returned -3.07% while JIII returned +1.56%. Year to date, FTCB is down 2.74% versus a loss of 0.16% for JIII.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTCB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 4.4% compared with 3.0% for JIII. 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 -5.6% for FTCB and -3.5% for JIII. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTCB charges 0.56% per year while JIII charges 0.54%. On a $10,000 position that is $56 vs $54 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTCB currently yields 5.59% against 7.91% for JIII.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 13 holdings in FTCB and 124 in JIII, totalling 4.5% and 50.9% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 4 positions appear in both.
4 positions in common, counted across the 13 positions we hold weights for in FTCB and 124 in JIII, against full books of 1,580 and 596.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FTCB | Weight in JIII | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FNCL 6 10/11Fannie Mae Or Freddie Mac 6 | 1.37% | 2.58% | 1.21% |
| FNCL 4.5 10/11Fannie Mae Or Freddie Mac Tba 4.50% Due 04/01/2056 | 0.34% | 3.14% | 2.80% |
| FNCL 3.5 10/11Fnma Tba 10/01/2049 | 0.08% | 2.32% | 2.24% |
| FNCL 4 10/11Fannie Mae Or Freddie Mac 2168-10-10 | -0.58% | 1.09% | 1.67% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTCB and JIII 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, FTCB or JIII?
FTCB has an expense ratio of 0.56% while JIII charges 0.54%. JIII is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTCB or JIII?
Over the past year FTCB returned -3.07% vs +1.56% for JIII, so JIII leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), FTCB annualized +2.46% vs +4.45% for JIII. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTCB or JIII?
FTCB has been the more volatile fund at 4.4% annualized versus 3.0% for JIII. Worst drawdown: FTCB -5.6% vs JIII -3.5%.
Should I hold both FTCB and JIII?
FTCB and JIII have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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, FTCB or JIII?
FTCB yields 5.59% while JIII yields 7.91%, so JIII currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is JIII better than FTCB?
JIII has a lower expense ratio. JIII led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.