FTCS vs GDE
First Trust Capital Strength ETF vs WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund
Which is better, FTCS or GDE?
Each has led over a different period.
GDE has a lower expense ratio. FTCS led over 1Y, GDE over 3Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.0%.
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 | GDE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.53% | 0.20%Best |
| AUM | $7.9B | $381M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.12% | 17.11% |
| Holdings | 102 | 1,017 |
| YTD Return | +14.54%Best | -15.20% |
| 1Y Return | +15.06%Best | -12.23% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.25% | +34.03%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.76% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.6%Best | 24.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -15.6%Best | -32.9% |
| $10,000 over 4.7 years | $14,521 | $23,421Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.7%Best | 38.0% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | WisdomTree Investments |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 6, 2006 | Mar 17, 2022 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 17, 2022 to Nov 11, 2026 (4.7 years).
FTCS vs GDE 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 4.7 years both funds cover.
FTCS vs GDE Performance
First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund (GDE) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments. Over the past year FTCS returned +15.06% while GDE returned -12.23%. Year to date, FTCS is up 14.54% versus a loss of 15.20% for GDE.
Over three years, FTCS compounded at +13.25% per year against +34.03% for GDE.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GDE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.5% compared with 13.6% 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 -15.6% for FTCS and -32.9% for GDE. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.46. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTCS charges 0.53% per year while GDE charges 0.20%. On a $10,000 position that is $53 vs $20 annually, a gap of $33 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTCS currently yields 1.12% against 17.11% for GDE.
Holdings Overlap
98.1% of FTCS's money is in holdings GDE also owns. 20.0% of GDE's money is in holdings FTCS also owns.
Most of FTCS is already inside GDE. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
49 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 492 in GDE, against full books of 102 and 1,017.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 421 positions for GDE that do not appear in our book for FTCS (76.2% of the fund), and 1 for FTCS that do not appear in GDE (1.8%).
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 FTCS | Weight in GDE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple Inc | 2.04% | 7.89% | 5.85% |
| WMTWalmart Inc | 2.02% | 1.40% | 0.62% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 2.17% | 1.21% | 0.96% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 2.21% | 0.87% | 1.34% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.99% | 0.87% | 1.12% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 2.30% | 0.53% | 1.77% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 2.24% | 0.59% | 1.65% |
| COSTCostco Wholesale Corp. | 2.07% | 0.65% | 1.42% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 2.31% | 0.34% | 1.97% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 2.07% | 0.56% | 1.51% |
98.1% of FTCS is already inside GDE.
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 GDE?
FTCS has an expense ratio of 0.53% while GDE charges 0.20%. GDE is the cheaper option, by $33 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTCS or GDE?
Over the past year FTCS returned +15.06% vs -12.23% for GDE, so FTCS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTCS or GDE?
GDE has been the more volatile fund at 24.5% annualized versus 13.6% for FTCS. Worst drawdown: FTCS -15.6% vs GDE -32.9%.
Should I hold both FTCS and GDE?
FTCS and GDE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.46, 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 GDE?
98.1% of FTCS's money is in holdings GDE also owns. 20.0% of GDE's is in holdings FTCS also owns. They hold 49 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 492 in GDE.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTCS or GDE?
FTCS yields 1.12% while GDE yields 17.11%, so GDE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is GDE better than FTCS?
GDE has a lower expense ratio. FTCS led over 1Y, GDE over 3Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.