FTCS vs PSET
First Trust Capital Strength ETF vs Principal Quality ETF
Which is better, FTCS or PSET?
PSET has been ahead.
PSET has a lower expense ratio. PSET 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 34.2%.
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 | PSET |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.52% | 0.15%Best |
| AUM | $7.5B | $26M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.22% | 0.69% |
| Holdings | 102 | 150 |
| YTD Return | +6.41%Best | +5.26% |
| 1Y Return | +5.59% | +6.00%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.51% | +13.51%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.06% | +8.64%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.7%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -31.9%Best | -34.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,420 | $15,134Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.5%Best | 34.2% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Principal Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 6, 2006 | Mar 21, 2016 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 22, 2016 to Oct 14, 2026 (10.6 years).
FTCS vs PSET 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 10.6 years both funds cover.
FTCS vs PSET Performance
First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Principal Quality ETF (PSET) is an ETF from Principal Funds. Over the past year FTCS returned +5.59% while PSET returned +6.00%. Year to date, FTCS is up 6.41% versus a gain of 5.26% for PSET.
Over three years, FTCS compounded at +10.51% per year against +13.51% for PSET; over five years the annualized figures are +6.06% and +8.64% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, PSET has the edge at +12.16% annualized vs +9.77%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PSET has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% 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 -31.9% for FTCS and -34.8% for PSET. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTCS charges 0.52% per year while PSET charges 0.15%. On a $10,000 position that is $52 vs $15 annually, a gap of $37 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTCS currently yields 1.22% against 0.69% for PSET.
Holdings Overlap
18.1% of FTCS's money is in holdings PSET also owns. 16.5% of PSET's money is in holdings FTCS also owns.
FTCS and PSET share little of their money.
9 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 73 in PSET, against full books of 102 and 150.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 62 positions for PSET that do not appear in our book for FTCS (81.4% of the fund), and 41 for FTCS that do not appear in PSET (81.7%).
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 PSET | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 2.07% | 6.11% | 4.04% |
| VVisa Inc. Cl A | 2.08% | 2.14% | 0.06% |
| MAMastercard Inc. Cl A | 2.10% | 1.81% | 0.29% |
| GRMNGarmin Ltd Common Stock | 2.33% | 1.29% | 1.04% |
| VLTOVeralto Corp | 2.09% | 1.06% | 1.03% |
| MMCMarsh + Mclennan Cos | 1.93% | 1.09% | 0.84% |
| WRBWr Berkley Corp | 1.99% | 1.02% | 0.97% |
| TJXTjx Companies Inc | 1.78% | 1.09% | 0.69% |
| SYKStryker Corp | 1.78% | 0.93% | 0.85% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTCS and PSET 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 PSET?
FTCS has an expense ratio of 0.52% while PSET charges 0.15%. PSET is the cheaper option, by $37 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTCS or PSET?
Over the past year FTCS returned +5.59% vs +6.00% for PSET, so PSET leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), FTCS annualized +9.77% vs +12.16% for PSET. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTCS or PSET?
PSET has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 13.7% for FTCS. Worst drawdown: FTCS -31.9% vs PSET -34.8%.
Should I hold both FTCS and PSET?
FTCS and PSET have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 PSET?
18.1% of FTCS's money is in holdings PSET also owns. 16.5% of PSET's is in holdings FTCS also owns. They hold 9 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 73 in PSET.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTCS or PSET?
FTCS yields 1.22% while PSET yields 0.69%, so FTCS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PSET better than FTCS?
PSET has a lower expense ratio. PSET 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 34.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.