FTCS vs POWA
First Trust Capital Strength ETF vs Invesco Bloomberg Pricing Power ETF
Which is better, FTCS or POWA?
Each has led over a different period.
POWA has a lower expense ratio. FTCS led over 1Y, POWA over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 22.9%.
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 | POWA |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.52% | 0.40%Best |
| AUM | $7.5B | $162M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.22% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 102 | 106 |
| YTD Return | +6.41%Best | -0.75% |
| 1Y Return | +5.59%Best | -0.04% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.51% | +10.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.06% | +6.65%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.8% | 13.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -54.1% | -47.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,420 | $13,798Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.5%Best | 22.9% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 6, 2006 | Dec 15, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 15, 2006 to Oct 14, 2026 (19.8 years).
FTCS vs POWA 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
FTCS vs POWA Performance
First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Invesco Bloomberg Pricing Power ETF (POWA) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year FTCS returned +5.59% while POWA returned -0.04%. Year to date, FTCS is up 6.41% versus a loss of 0.75% for POWA.
Over three years, FTCS compounded at +10.51% per year against +10.97% for POWA; over five years the annualized figures are +6.06% and +6.65% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, POWA has the edge at +8.41% annualized vs +8.04%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTCS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% compared with 13.3% for POWA. 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 -47.9% for POWA. 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
FTCS charges 0.52% per year while POWA charges 0.40%. On a $10,000 position that is $52 vs $40 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTCS currently yields 1.22% against 0.98% for POWA.
Holdings Overlap
7.4% of FTCS's money is in holdings POWA also owns. 7.3% of POWA's money is in holdings FTCS also owns.
FTCS and POWA share little of their money.
4 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 51 in POWA, against full books of 102 and 106.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 47 positions for POWA that do not appear in our book for FTCS (92.7% of the fund), and 46 for FTCS that do not appear in POWA (92.5%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTCS and POWA 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 POWA?
FTCS has an expense ratio of 0.52% while POWA charges 0.40%. POWA is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTCS or POWA?
Over the past year FTCS returned +5.59% vs -0.04% for POWA, so FTCS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), FTCS annualized +8.04% vs +8.41% for POWA. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTCS or POWA?
FTCS has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 13.3% for POWA. Worst drawdown: FTCS -54.1% vs POWA -47.9%.
Should I hold both FTCS and POWA?
FTCS and POWA 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.
What is the holdings overlap between FTCS and POWA?
7.4% of FTCS's money is in holdings POWA also owns. 7.3% of POWA's is in holdings FTCS also owns. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 51 in POWA.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTCS or POWA?
FTCS yields 1.22% while POWA yields 0.98%, so FTCS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is POWA better than FTCS?
POWA has a lower expense ratio. FTCS led over 1Y, POWA over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 22.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.