FTCS vs VNSE
First Trust Capital Strength ETF vs Natixis Vaughan Nelson Select ETF
Which is better, FTCS or VNSE?
VNSE has been ahead.
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. VNSE 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 55.2%.
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 | VNSE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.52%Best | 0.80% |
| AUM | $7.5B | $15M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.22% | 0.20% |
| Holdings | 102 | 29 |
| YTD Return | +7.80% | +9.66%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.60% | +10.37%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.98% | +15.08%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.21% | +8.92%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.0%Best | 16.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -20.9%Best | -24.2% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,515 | $15,330Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.5%Best | 55.2% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Natixis Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 6, 2006 | Sep 17, 2020 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 17, 2020 to Oct 15, 2026 (6.1 years).
FTCS vs VNSE 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 6.1 years both funds cover.
FTCS vs VNSE Performance
First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Natixis Vaughan Nelson Select ETF (VNSE) is an ETF from Natixis Funds. Over the past year FTCS returned +7.60% while VNSE returned +10.37%. Year to date, FTCS is up 7.80% versus a gain of 9.66% for VNSE.
Over three years, FTCS compounded at +10.98% per year against +15.08% for VNSE; over five years the annualized figures are +6.21% and +8.92% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VNSE has the edge at +13.82% annualized vs +9.00%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VNSE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 14.0% 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 -20.9% for FTCS and -24.2% for VNSE. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTCS charges 0.52% per year while VNSE charges 0.80%. On a $10,000 position that is $52 vs $80 annually, a gap of $28 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTCS currently yields 1.22% against 0.20% for VNSE.
Holdings Overlap
8.1% of FTCS's money is in holdings VNSE also owns. 14.6% of VNSE's money is in holdings FTCS also owns.
VNSE and FTCS share little of their money.
4 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 27 in VNSE, against full books of 102 and 29.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 19 positions for VNSE that do not appear in our book for FTCS (69.1% of the fund), and 46 for FTCS that do not appear in VNSE (91.7%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTCS and VNSE 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 VNSE?
FTCS has an expense ratio of 0.52% while VNSE charges 0.80%. FTCS is the cheaper option, by $28 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTCS or VNSE?
Over the past year FTCS returned +7.60% vs +10.37% for VNSE, so VNSE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), FTCS annualized +9.00% vs +13.82% for VNSE. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTCS or VNSE?
VNSE has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 14.0% for FTCS. Worst drawdown: FTCS -20.9% vs VNSE -24.2%.
Should I hold both FTCS and VNSE?
FTCS and VNSE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 VNSE?
14.6% of VNSE's money is in holdings FTCS also owns. 14.6% of VNSE'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 27 in VNSE.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTCS or VNSE?
FTCS yields 1.22% while VNSE yields 0.20%, so FTCS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VNSE better than FTCS?
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. VNSE 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 55.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.