FTCS vs KAT
First Trust Capital Strength ETF vs Scharf ETF
Which is better, FTCS or KAT?
Each has led over a different period.
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. FTCS led over 1Y, KAT over the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 50.9%.
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 | KAT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.52%Best | 0.75% |
| AUM | $7.5B | $657M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.22% | 0.53% |
| Holdings | 102 | 68 |
| YTD Return | +6.41% | +6.42%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.59%Best | +4.30% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.51% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.06% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.3%Best | 12.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.1%Best | -9.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $10,641 | $10,725Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.5%Best | 50.9% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Scharf Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 6, 2006 | Dec 30, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 25, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.1 years).
FTCS vs KAT 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 1.1 years both funds cover.
FTCS vs KAT Performance
First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Scharf ETF (KAT) is an ETF from Scharf Funds. Over the past year FTCS returned +5.59% while KAT returned +4.30%. Year to date, FTCS is up 6.41% versus a gain of 6.42% for KAT.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
KAT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.7% compared with 12.3% 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 -8.1% for FTCS and -9.3% for KAT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTCS charges 0.52% per year while KAT charges 0.75%. On a $10,000 position that is $52 vs $75 annually, a gap of $23 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTCS currently yields 1.22% against 0.53% for KAT.
Holdings Overlap
15.9% of FTCS's money is in holdings KAT also owns. 26.6% of KAT's money is in holdings FTCS also owns.
KAT and FTCS share little of their money.
8 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 31 in KAT, against full books of 102 and 68.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 18 positions for KAT that do not appear in our book for FTCS (60.1% of the fund), and 42 for FTCS that do not appear in KAT (84.0%).
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 FTCS | Weight in KAT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 1.91% | 5.36% | 3.45% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 2.08% | 4.50% | 2.42% |
| MMCMarsh & Mclennan Cos Inc Common Stock Usd 1 | 1.93% | 4.11% | 2.18% |
| SCHWSchwab Strategic T | 1.97% | 3.47% | 1.50% |
| CMEC M E Group Inc. | 2.22% | 2.71% | 0.49% |
| CBChubb Ltd Common Stock Usd 24.15 | 1.94% | 2.51% | 0.57% |
| SYKStryker Corp | 1.78% | 2.37% | 0.59% |
| LMTLockheed Martin | 2.05% | 1.54% | 0.51% |
26.6% of KAT 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 KAT?
FTCS has an expense ratio of 0.52% while KAT charges 0.75%. FTCS is the cheaper option, by $23 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTCS or KAT?
Over the past year FTCS returned +5.59% vs +4.30% for KAT, so FTCS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), FTCS annualized +5.81% vs +6.57% for KAT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTCS or KAT?
KAT has been the more volatile fund at 12.7% annualized versus 12.3% for FTCS. Worst drawdown: FTCS -8.1% vs KAT -9.3%.
Should I hold both FTCS and KAT?
FTCS and KAT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 KAT?
26.6% of KAT's money is in holdings FTCS also owns. 26.6% of KAT's is in holdings FTCS also owns. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 31 in KAT.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTCS or KAT?
FTCS yields 1.22% while KAT yields 0.53%, so FTCS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is KAT better than FTCS?
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. FTCS led over 1Y, KAT over the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 50.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.