FTCS vs GSPY
First Trust Capital Strength ETF vs The Gotham Enhanced 500 ETF
Which is better, FTCS or GSPY?
GSPY has been ahead.
GSPY has a lower expense ratio. GSPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.2%.
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 | FTCS | GSPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.52% | 0.50%Best |
| AUM | $7.5B | $723M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.22% | 2.28% |
| Holdings | 102 | 1,004 |
| YTD Return | +6.41% | +15.70%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.59% | +20.41%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.51% | +22.71%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.06% | +13.69%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.7%Best | 14.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -20.9%Best | -23.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,420 | $18,994Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.5%Best | 39.2% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Gotham Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 6, 2006 | Dec 30, 2016 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 29, 2020 to Oct 14, 2026 (5.8 years).
FTCS vs GSPY 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 5.8 years both funds cover.
FTCS vs GSPY Performance
First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and The Gotham Enhanced 500 ETF (GSPY) is an ETF from Gotham Funds. Over the past year FTCS returned +5.59% while GSPY returned +20.41%. Year to date, FTCS is up 6.41% versus a gain of 15.70% for GSPY.
Over three years, FTCS compounded at +10.51% per year against +22.71% for GSPY; over five years the annualized figures are +6.06% and +13.69% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, GSPY has the edge at +15.21% annualized vs +8.08%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GSPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 13.7% 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 -20.9% for FTCS and -23.3% for GSPY. 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 GSPY charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $52 vs $50 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTCS currently yields 1.22% against 2.28% for GSPY.
Holdings Overlap
97.9% of FTCS's money is in holdings GSPY also owns. 18.9% of GSPY's money is in holdings FTCS also owns.
Most of FTCS is already inside GSPY. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
49 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 501 in GSPY, against full books of 102 and 1,004.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 430 positions for GSPY that do not appear in our book for FTCS (81.0% of the fund), and 1 for FTCS that do not appear in GSPY (2.0%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FTCS | Weight in GSPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 2.07% | 6.97% | 4.90% |
| MRKMerck & Co. Inc. | 2.34% | 1.28% | 1.06% |
| VVisa Inc. Cl A | 2.08% | 1.07% | 1.01% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 2.17% | 0.75% | 1.42% |
| HDHome Depot Inc | 1.73% | 1.10% | 0.63% |
| MAMastercard Inc. Cl A | 2.10% | 0.72% | 1.38% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc | 2.27% | 0.45% | 1.82% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 1.91% | 0.61% | 1.30% |
| ADPAutomatic Data Processing | 2.09% | 0.39% | 1.70% |
| LMTLockheed Martin Corp | 2.05% | 0.43% | 1.62% |
97.9% of FTCS is already inside GSPY.
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 GSPY?
FTCS has an expense ratio of 0.52% while GSPY charges 0.50%. GSPY is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTCS or GSPY?
Over the past year FTCS returned +5.59% vs +20.41% for GSPY, so GSPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), FTCS annualized +8.08% vs +15.21% for GSPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTCS or GSPY?
GSPY has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 13.7% for FTCS. Worst drawdown: FTCS -20.9% vs GSPY -23.3%.
Should I hold both FTCS and GSPY?
FTCS and GSPY 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 GSPY?
97.9% of FTCS's money is in holdings GSPY also owns. 18.9% of GSPY's is in holdings FTCS also owns. They hold 49 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 501 in GSPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTCS or GSPY?
FTCS yields 1.22% while GSPY yields 2.28%, so GSPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is GSPY better than FTCS?
GSPY has a lower expense ratio. GSPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.