ALAI vs FTCS
Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF vs First Trust Capital Strength ETF
Which is better, ALAI or FTCS?
Each has led over a different period.
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. ALAI led over the full window, FTCS over 1Y. FTCS is less concentrated, with 21.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 53.3%.
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 | ALAI | FTCS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.58% | 0.53%Best |
| AUM | $2.5B | $8.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.31% | 1.12% |
| Holdings | 146 | 52 |
| YTD Return | +9.78% | +14.44%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.20% | +15.13%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.75% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +6.60% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 26.5% | 11.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -29.4% | -12.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.6 years | $20,247Best | $12,855 |
| Top 10 Weight | 53.3% | 21.2%Best |
| Fund Family | Alger | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 4, 2024 | Jul 6, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 5, 2024 to Nov 13, 2026 (2.6 years).
ALAI 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 2.6 years both funds cover.
ALAI vs FTCS Performance
Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF (ALAI) is an ETF from Alger and First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year ALAI returned +13.20% while FTCS returned +15.13%. Year to date, ALAI is up 9.78% versus a gain of 14.44% for FTCS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ALAI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.5% compared with 11.8% 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 -29.4% for ALAI and -12.6% 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 -0.09. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ALAI charges 0.58% per year while FTCS charges 0.53%. On a $10,000 position that is $58 vs $53 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ALAI currently yields 1.31% against 1.12% for FTCS.
Holdings Overlap
1.6% of ALAI's money is in holdings FTCS also owns. 1.9% of FTCS's money is in holdings ALAI also owns.
FTCS and ALAI share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 68 positions we hold weights for in ALAI and 50 in FTCS, against full books of 146 and 52.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 48 positions for FTCS that do not appear in our book for ALAI (95.9% of the fund), and 56 for ALAI that do not appear in FTCS (87.0%).
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 ALAI | Weight in FTCS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 1.64% | 1.95% | 0.31% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ALAI and FTCS 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, ALAI or FTCS?
ALAI has an expense ratio of 0.58% while FTCS charges 0.53%. FTCS is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ALAI or FTCS?
Over the past year ALAI returned +13.20% vs +15.13% for FTCS, so FTCS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ALAI or FTCS?
ALAI has been the more volatile fund at 26.5% annualized versus 11.8% for FTCS. Worst drawdown: ALAI -29.4% vs FTCS -12.6%.
Should I hold both ALAI and FTCS?
ALAI and FTCS have a monthly-return correlation of -0.09, 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 ALAI and FTCS?
1.9% of FTCS's money is in holdings ALAI also owns. 1.9% of FTCS's is in holdings ALAI also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 68 positions we hold weights for in ALAI and 50 in FTCS.
Which pays a higher dividend, ALAI or FTCS?
ALAI yields 1.31% while FTCS yields 1.12%, so ALAI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is FTCS better than ALAI?
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. ALAI led over the full window, FTCS over 1Y. FTCS is less concentrated, with 21.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 53.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.