FTCS vs HOLD
First Trust Capital Strength ETF vs Harbor Alpha Layering ETF
Which is better, FTCS or HOLD?
HOLD has been ahead.
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. HOLD 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 | FTCS | HOLD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.52%Best | 0.70% |
| AUM | $7.5B | $4M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.22% | 6.80% |
| Holdings | 102 | 20 |
| YTD Return | +6.41% | +7.39%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.59% | +7.59%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.51% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.06% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.3%Best | 14.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.1%Best | -9.5% |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $10,699 | $11,773Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Harbor Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 6, 2006 | Aug 13, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 14, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.2 years).
FTCS vs HOLD 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
FTCS vs HOLD Performance
First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Harbor Alpha Layering ETF (HOLD) is an ETF from Harbor Funds. Over the past year FTCS returned +5.59% while HOLD returned +7.59%. Year to date, FTCS is up 6.41% versus a gain of 7.39% for HOLD.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HOLD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 12.3% 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 -8.1% for FTCS and -9.5% for HOLD. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.14. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTCS charges 0.52% per year while HOLD charges 0.70%. On a $10,000 position that is $52 vs $70 annually, a gap of $18 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTCS currently yields 1.22% against 6.80% for HOLD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 50 holdings in FTCS and 1 in HOLD, totalling 99.9% and 93.1% 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 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 1 in HOLD, against full books of 102 and 20.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTCS and HOLD 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, FTCS or HOLD?
FTCS has an expense ratio of 0.52% while HOLD charges 0.70%. FTCS is the cheaper option, by $18 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTCS or HOLD?
Over the past year FTCS returned +5.59% vs +7.59% for HOLD, so HOLD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), FTCS annualized +5.79% vs +14.57% for HOLD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTCS or HOLD?
HOLD has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 12.3% for FTCS. Worst drawdown: FTCS -8.1% vs HOLD -9.5%.
Should I hold both FTCS and HOLD?
FTCS and HOLD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.14, 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, FTCS or HOLD?
FTCS yields 1.22% while HOLD yields 6.80%, so HOLD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is HOLD better than FTCS?
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. HOLD 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.