ACIO vs FTCS
Aptus Collared Investment Opportunity ETF vs First Trust Capital Strength ETF
Which is better, ACIO or FTCS?
ACIO has been ahead.
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. ACIO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 40.4%.
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 | ACIO | FTCS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.53%Best |
| AUM | $2.4B | $7.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.37% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 524 | 102 |
| YTD Return | +9.11%Best | +4.45% |
| 1Y Return | +9.12%Best | +4.09% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.12%Best | +10.02% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.27%Best | +6.05% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.0%Best | 14.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -14.9%Best | -31.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,304Best | $13,414 |
| Top 10 Weight | 40.4% | 22.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Aptus ETFs | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 9, 2019 | Jul 6, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 10, 2019 to Oct 9, 2026 (7.2 years).
ACIO vs FTCS 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 7.2 years both funds cover.
ACIO vs FTCS Performance
Aptus Collared Investment Opportunity ETF (ACIO) is an ETF from Aptus ETFs and First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year ACIO returned +9.12% while FTCS returned +4.09%. Year to date, ACIO is up 9.11% versus a gain of 4.45% for FTCS.
Over three years, ACIO compounded at +16.12% per year against +10.02% for FTCS; over five years the annualized figures are +10.27% and +6.05% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, ACIO has the edge at +9.82% annualized vs +8.41%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTCS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 10.0% for ACIO. 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 -14.9% for ACIO and -31.9% for FTCS. 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
ACIO charges 0.79% per year while FTCS charges 0.53%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $53 annually, a gap of $26 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ACIO currently yields 0.37% against 1.06% for FTCS.
Holdings Overlap
20.0% of ACIO's money is in holdings FTCS also owns. 53.3% of FTCS's money is in holdings ACIO also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
27 positions in common, counted across the 165 positions we hold weights for in ACIO and 50 in FTCS, against full books of 524 and 102.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 23 positions for FTCS that do not appear in our book for ACIO (46.5% of the fund), and 137 for ACIO that do not appear in FTCS (79.5%).
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 ACIO | Weight in FTCS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 7.43% | 1.96% | 5.47% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 1.91% | 2.05% | 0.14% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.03% | 2.11% | 1.08% |
| CSXCsx Corp. | 0.99% | 1.93% | 0.94% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 1.01% | 1.85% | 0.84% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.54% | 2.27% | 1.73% |
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.85% | 1.80% | 0.95% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.45% | 2.16% | 1.71% |
| COSTCostco Wholesale Corp. | 0.65% | 1.92% | 1.27% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 0.40% | 2.09% | 1.69% |
53.3% of FTCS is already inside ACIO.
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, ACIO or FTCS?
ACIO has an expense ratio of 0.79% while FTCS charges 0.53%. FTCS is the cheaper option, by $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ACIO or FTCS?
Over the past year ACIO returned +9.12% vs +4.09% for FTCS, so ACIO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), ACIO annualized +9.82% vs +8.41% for FTCS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ACIO or FTCS?
FTCS has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 10.0% for ACIO. Worst drawdown: ACIO -14.9% vs FTCS -31.9%.
Should I hold both ACIO and FTCS?
ACIO and FTCS 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 ACIO and FTCS?
53.3% of FTCS's money is in holdings ACIO also owns. 53.3% of FTCS's is in holdings ACIO also owns. They hold 27 positions in common, counted across the 165 positions we hold weights for in ACIO and 50 in FTCS.
Which pays a higher dividend, ACIO or FTCS?
ACIO yields 0.37% while FTCS yields 1.06%, so FTCS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is FTCS better than ACIO?
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. ACIO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 40.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.