First Trust California Municipal High Income ETF (FCAL) Alternatives
First Trust California Municipal High Income ETF (FCAL) belongs to the Municipal Bonds category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with FCAL. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or funds that fit a different role in your portfolio.
Cheapest Alternatives to FCAL
FCAL charges 0.50% annually. Among ETFs in the Municipal Bonds category, these options have the lowest expense ratios among FCAL alternatives.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schwab Municipal Bond ETF | 0.03% | Oct 11, 2022 | FCAL vs SCMB | |
| Fidelity Systematic Municipal Bond Index ETF | 0.05% | Jul 11, 2019 | FCAL vs FMUN | |
| Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF | 0.05% | Aug 21, 2015 | FCAL vs VTEB | |
| Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF Shares | 0.07% | Mar 8, 2023 | FCAL vs VTES | |
| Xtrackers California Municipal Bond ETF | 0.07% | Dec 13, 2023 | FCAL vs CA |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to FCAL
Among ETFs in the Municipal Bonds category, these options rank highest on PortfoliosLab's risk-adjusted score, which accounts for volatility, drawdown, and return consistency over a 1-year period.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Municipal Income ETF | 98 | Jul 23, 2024 | FCAL vs GUMI | |
| First Trust Ultra Short Duration Municipal ETF | 97 | Nov 1, 2018 | FCAL vs FUMB | |
| iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF | 97 | Mar 3, 2015 | FCAL vs MEAR | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF | 95 | Jun 24, 2024 | FCAL vs PUSH | |
| iShares Short-Term California Muni Active ETF | 95 | Oct 4, 2007 | FCAL vs CALI |
Top Performing FCAL Alternatives (YTD)
FCAL alternatives from the Municipal Bonds category, sorted by year-to-date return.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overlay Shares Municipal Bond ETF | 1.20% | Sep 30, 2019 | FCAL vs OVM | |
| Xtrackers Municipal Infrastructure Revenue Bond ET... | 1.00% | Jun 4, 2013 | FCAL vs RVNU | |
| X-Square Municipal Income Tax Free ETF | 0.90% | May 18, 2023 | FCAL vs ZTAX | |
| Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Municipal Income ETF | 0.72% | Jul 23, 2024 | FCAL vs GUMI | |
| First Trust Ultra Short Duration Municipal ETF | 0.64% | Nov 1, 2018 | FCAL vs FUMB |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to FCAL
FCAL alternatives from the Municipal Bonds category, sorted by annualized volatility over the past year.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares iBonds Dec 2024 Term Muni Bond ETF | 0.00% | Mar 20, 2018 | FCAL vs IBMM | |
| First Trust Ultra Short Duration Municipal ETF | 1.03% | Nov 1, 2018 | FCAL vs FUMB | |
| iShares Short-Term California Muni Active ETF | 1.09% | Oct 4, 2007 | FCAL vs CALI | |
| abrdn Ultra Short Municipal Income Active ETF | 1.12% | Oct 20, 2025 | FCAL vs AMUN | |
| Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Municipal Income ETF | 1.15% | Jul 23, 2024 | FCAL vs GUMI |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to FCAL
FCAL alternatives from the Municipal Bonds category, sorted by maximum drawdown over the past year.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Municipal Income ETF | -0.48% | Jul 23, 2024 | FCAL vs GUMI | |
| First Trust Ultra Short Duration Municipal ETF | -0.60% | Nov 1, 2018 | FCAL vs FUMB | |
| iShares Short-Term California Muni Active ETF | -0.78% | Oct 4, 2007 | FCAL vs CALI | |
| PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF | -0.85% | Jun 24, 2024 | FCAL vs PUSH | |
| iShares Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF | -0.86% | Mar 3, 2015 | FCAL vs MEAR |
Other ETFs from First Trust
Most popular First Trust ETFs on PortfoliosLab, across asset classes.
Often Compared With FCAL
What investors most often compare with FCAL, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares California Muni Bond ETF | Municipal Bonds | 50 | -0.57% | Oct 4, 2007 | FCAL vs CMF | |
| Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF | Municipal Bonds | 28 | -0.25% | Oct 11, 2007 | FCAL vs PWZ | |
| Callaway Golf Company | 87 | 18.94% | Jul 11, 2023 | FCAL vs CALY | ||
| American Century California High Yield Municipal F... | Municipal Bonds | 30 | -0.79% | Dec 29, 1986 | FCAL vs BCHYX | |
| Schwab Tax-Free Bond Fund™ | Municipal Bonds | 52 | -0.62% | Sep 10, 1992 | FCAL vs SWNTX | |
| IQ MacKay California Municipal Intermediate ETF | Municipal Bonds | 70 | -0.43% | Dec 21, 2021 | FCAL vs MMCA | |
| Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 65 | -4.42% | Sep 7, 2010 | FCAL vs VOO | |
| Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admi... | Municipal Bonds | 44 | -0.99% | Nov 12, 2001 | FCAL vs VCLAX | |
| iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF | Municipal Bonds | 54 | -0.37% | Sep 7, 2007 | FCAL vs MUB | |
| iShares Short-Term National Muni Bond ETF | Municipal Bonds | 92 | 0.23% | Nov 5, 2008 | FCAL vs SUB |
Compare FCAL with Any Fund or Stock
Compare FCAL with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.