FTCS vs QIDX
First Trust Capital Strength ETF vs Indexperts Quality Earnings Focused ETF
Which is better, FTCS or QIDX?
QIDX has been ahead.
QIDX has a lower expense ratio. QIDX led over 1Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.2%.
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 | QIDX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.52% | 0.50%Best |
| AUM | $7.5B | $39M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.22% | 0.93% |
| Holdings | 102 | 264 |
| YTD Return | +6.41% | +7.85%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.59% | +7.18%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.51% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.06% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.5% | 9.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -10.5%Best | -15.0% |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $11,402 | $11,722Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.5%Best | 26.2% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Indexperts |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 6, 2006 | Dec 31, 2024 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 2, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.8 years).
FTCS vs QIDX 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
FTCS vs QIDX Performance
First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Indexperts Quality Earnings Focused ETF (QIDX) is an ETF from Indexperts. Over the past year FTCS returned +5.59% while QIDX returned +7.18%. Year to date, FTCS is up 6.41% versus a gain of 7.85% for QIDX.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTCS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.5% compared with 9.9% for QIDX. 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 -10.5% for FTCS and -15.0% for QIDX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTCS charges 0.52% per year while QIDX 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 0.93% for QIDX.
Holdings Overlap
13.5% of FTCS's money is in holdings QIDX also owns. 7.5% of QIDX's money is in holdings FTCS also owns.
FTCS and QIDX share little of their money.
7 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 131 in QIDX, against full books of 102 and 264.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 123 positions for QIDX that do not appear in our book for FTCS (91.7% of the fund), and 43 for FTCS that do not appear in QIDX (86.3%).
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
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTCS and QIDX 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 QIDX?
FTCS has an expense ratio of 0.52% while QIDX charges 0.50%. QIDX is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTCS or QIDX?
Over the past year FTCS returned +5.59% vs +7.18% for QIDX, so QIDX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), FTCS annualized +7.56% vs +9.23% for QIDX. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTCS or QIDX?
FTCS has been the more volatile fund at 10.5% annualized versus 9.9% for QIDX. Worst drawdown: FTCS -10.5% vs QIDX -15.0%.
Should I hold both FTCS and QIDX?
FTCS and QIDX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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 QIDX?
13.5% of FTCS's money is in holdings QIDX also owns. 7.5% of QIDX's is in holdings FTCS also owns. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 131 in QIDX.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTCS or QIDX?
FTCS yields 1.22% while QIDX yields 0.93%, so FTCS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QIDX better than FTCS?
QIDX has a lower expense ratio. QIDX led over 1Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.