FTCS vs USMC
First Trust Capital Strength ETF vs Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF
Which is better, FTCS or USMC?
USMC has been ahead.
USMC has a lower expense ratio. USMC 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 55.3%.
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 | USMC |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.52% | 0.12%Best |
| AUM | $7.5B | $5.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.22% | 0.74% |
| Holdings | 102 | 58 |
| YTD Return | +6.41% | +13.98%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.59% | +14.91%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.51% | +22.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.06% | +14.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.7%Best | 15.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -31.9% | -30.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,420 | $19,948Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.5%Best | 55.3% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Principal Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 6, 2006 | Oct 11, 2017 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 12, 2017 to Oct 14, 2026 (9 years).
FTCS vs USMC 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 9 years both funds cover.
FTCS vs USMC Performance
First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF (USMC) is an ETF from Principal Funds. Over the past year FTCS returned +5.59% while USMC returned +14.91%. Year to date, FTCS is up 6.41% versus a gain of 13.98% for USMC.
Over three years, FTCS compounded at +10.51% per year against +22.22% for USMC; over five years the annualized figures are +6.06% and +14.81% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, USMC has the edge at +14.29% annualized vs +8.99%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
USMC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 14.7% 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 -30.0% for USMC. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTCS charges 0.52% per year while USMC charges 0.12%. On a $10,000 position that is $52 vs $12 annually, a gap of $40 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTCS currently yields 1.22% against 0.74% for USMC.
Holdings Overlap
14.0% of FTCS's money is in holdings USMC also owns. 25.7% of USMC's money is in holdings FTCS also owns.
USMC and FTCS share little of their money.
7 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 27 in USMC, against full books of 102 and 58.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 20 positions for USMC that do not appear in our book for FTCS (74.3% of the fund), and 43 for FTCS that do not appear in USMC (85.9%).
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
25.7% of USMC is already inside FTCS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FTCS or USMC?
FTCS has an expense ratio of 0.52% while USMC charges 0.12%. USMC is the cheaper option, by $40 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTCS or USMC?
Over the past year FTCS returned +5.59% vs +14.91% for USMC, so USMC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), FTCS annualized +8.99% vs +14.29% for USMC. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTCS or USMC?
USMC has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 14.7% for FTCS. Worst drawdown: FTCS -31.9% vs USMC -30.0%.
Should I hold both FTCS and USMC?
FTCS and USMC have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, 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 USMC?
25.7% of USMC's money is in holdings FTCS also owns. 25.7% of USMC'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 27 in USMC.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTCS or USMC?
FTCS yields 1.22% while USMC yields 0.74%, so FTCS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is USMC better than FTCS?
USMC has a lower expense ratio. USMC 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 55.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.