FTCS vs PMAP
First Trust Capital Strength ETF vs PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April
Which is better, FTCS or PMAP?
FTCS has been ahead.
PMAP has a lower expense ratio. FTCS led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | PMAP |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.52% | 0.50%Best |
| AUM | $7.5B | $5M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.22% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 102 | 14 |
| YTD Return | +7.80%Best | +4.96% |
| 1Y Return | +7.60%Best | +6.37% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.98% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.21% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.4% | 1.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -9.4% | -1.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $11,177Best | $11,037 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | PGIM Investments |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 6, 2006 | Mar 31, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 1, 2025 to Oct 15, 2026 (1.5 years).
FTCS vs PMAP 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 1.5 years both funds cover.
FTCS vs PMAP Performance
First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and PGIM S&P 500 Max Buffer ETF - April (PMAP) is an ETF from PGIM Investments. Over the past year FTCS returned +7.60% while PMAP returned +6.37%. Year to date, FTCS is up 7.80% versus a gain of 4.96% for PMAP.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTCS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.4% compared with 1.1% for PMAP. 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 -9.4% for FTCS and -1.8% for PMAP. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.07. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTCS charges 0.52% per year while PMAP charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $52 vs $50 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTCS currently yields 1.22% against 0.00% for PMAP.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTCS and PMAP 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 PMAP?
FTCS has an expense ratio of 0.52% while PMAP charges 0.50%. PMAP is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTCS or PMAP?
Over the past year FTCS returned +7.60% vs +6.37% for PMAP, so FTCS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), FTCS annualized +7.70% vs +6.80% for PMAP. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTCS or PMAP?
FTCS has been the more volatile fund at 11.4% annualized versus 1.1% for PMAP. Worst drawdown: FTCS -9.4% vs PMAP -1.8%.
Should I hold both FTCS and PMAP?
FTCS and PMAP have a monthly-return correlation of 0.07, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTCS or PMAP?
FTCS yields 1.22% while PMAP yields 0.00%, so FTCS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PMAP better than FTCS?
PMAP has a lower expense ratio. FTCS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.