FTCS vs TENM
First Trust Capital Strength ETF vs iShares Large Cap 10% Target Buffer Mar ETF
Which is better, FTCS or TENM?
TENM has been ahead.
TENM has a lower expense ratio. TENM led over 1Y.
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 | TENM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.52% | 0.50%Best |
| AUM | $7.5B | $47M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.22% | 0.27% |
| Holdings | 102 | 8 |
| YTD Return | +6.41% | +9.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.59% | +11.85%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.51% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.06% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.9% | 7.0%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 6, 2006 | Oct 21, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
FTCS vs TENM 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
FTCS vs TENM Performance
First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and iShares Large Cap 10% Target Buffer Mar ETF (TENM) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year FTCS returned +5.59% while TENM returned +11.85%. Year to date, FTCS is up 6.41% versus a gain of 9.71% for TENM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTCS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.9% compared with 7.0% for TENM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.33. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTCS charges 0.52% per year while TENM 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 0.27% for TENM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 50 holdings in FTCS and 2 in TENM, totalling 99.9% and 104.0% 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 2 in TENM, against full books of 102 and 8.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTCS and TENM 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 TENM?
FTCS has an expense ratio of 0.52% while TENM charges 0.50%. TENM is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTCS or TENM?
Over the past year FTCS returned +5.59% vs +11.85% for TENM, so TENM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTCS or TENM?
FTCS has been the more volatile fund at 12.9% annualized versus 7.0% for TENM.
Should I hold both FTCS and TENM?
FTCS and TENM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.33, 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 TENM?
FTCS yields 1.22% while TENM yields 0.27%, so FTCS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is TENM better than FTCS?
TENM has a lower expense ratio. TENM led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.