FTCS vs GAB
First Trust Capital Strength ETF vs Gabelli Equity Trust
Which is better, FTCS or GAB?
Each has led over a different period.
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. FTCS led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, GAB over 3Y.
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 | FTCS | GAB |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.52%Best | 1.50% |
| AUM | $7.5B | $2.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.22% | 10.96% |
| Holdings | 102 | 682 |
| YTD Return | +6.41%Best | -8.60% |
| 1Y Return | +5.59%Best | -4.60% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.51% | +12.18%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.06%Best | +4.88% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7%Best | 21.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -54.1%Best | -79.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,420Best | $12,690 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Gabelli Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 6, 2006 | Aug 21, 1986 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 11, 2006 to Oct 14, 2026 (20.3 years).
FTCS vs GAB 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 20.3 years both funds cover.
FTCS vs GAB Performance
First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Gabelli Equity Trust (GAB) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds. Over the past year FTCS returned +5.59% while GAB returned -4.60%. Year to date, FTCS is up 6.41% versus a loss of 8.60% for GAB.
Over three years, FTCS compounded at +10.51% per year against +12.18% for GAB; over five years the annualized figures are +6.06% and +4.88% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, FTCS has the edge at +8.54% annualized vs +0.61%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GAB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.2% 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 -54.1% for FTCS and -79.3% for GAB. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTCS charges 0.52% per year while GAB charges 1.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $52 vs $150 annually, a gap of $98 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTCS currently yields 1.22% against 10.96% for GAB.
Holdings Overlap
At least 44.2% of FTCS's money is in holdings GAB also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for GAB, our book for it lists positions totalling 115.3% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 185 days apart, FTCS as of Oct 2, 2026 and GAB as of Mar 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
22 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 655 in GAB, against full books of 102 and 682.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FTCS | Weight in GAB | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAMastercard Inc. Cl A | 2.10% | 2.49% | 0.39% |
| AXPAmerican Express Co. | 1.76% | 2.66% | 0.90% |
| MRKMerck & Co. Inc. | 2.34% | 0.48% | 1.86% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc | 2.27% | 0.49% | 1.78% |
| PEPPepsico Inc | 1.90% | 0.78% | 1.12% |
| NOCNorthrop Grumman Corp | 1.89% | 0.68% | 1.21% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 1.89% | 0.63% | 1.26% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 2.17% | 0.26% | 1.91% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson | 2.09% | 0.27% | 1.82% |
| MMCMarsh + Mclennan Cos | 1.93% | 0.43% | 1.50% |
44.2% of FTCS is already inside GAB.
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, FTCS or GAB?
FTCS has an expense ratio of 0.52% while GAB charges 1.50%. FTCS is the cheaper option, by $98 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTCS or GAB?
Over the past year FTCS returned +5.59% vs -4.60% for GAB, so FTCS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), FTCS annualized +8.54% vs +0.61% for GAB. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTCS or GAB?
GAB has been the more volatile fund at 21.2% annualized versus 15.7% for FTCS. Worst drawdown: FTCS -54.1% vs GAB -79.3%.
Should I hold both FTCS and GAB?
FTCS and GAB have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 FTCS and GAB?
At least 44.2% of FTCS's money is in holdings GAB also owns. Our book for GAB is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 22 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 655 in GAB.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTCS or GAB?
FTCS yields 1.22% while GAB yields 10.96%, so GAB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is GAB better than FTCS?
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. FTCS led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, GAB over 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.