FCSG.L vs. HIWS.L

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FCSG.L (First Trust Global Capital Strength ESG Leaders UCITS ETF Class A Accumulation) and HIWS.L (HSBC MSCI World Islamic Screened UCITS ETF USD Acc) are both Global Equities funds - FCSG.L tracks the MSCI ACWI NR USD while HIWS.L tracks the MSCI World Islamic Universal Screened Select Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, FCSG.L returned 6.29%/yr vs 17.16%/yr for HIWS.L. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FCSG.L charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for HIWS.L.

Performance

FCSG.L vs. HIWS.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in First Trust Global Capital Strength ESG Leaders UCITS ETF Class A Accumulation (FCSG.L) and HSBC MSCI World Islamic Screened UCITS ETF USD Acc (HIWS.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

FCSG.L is traded in GBp, while HIWS.L is traded in GBP. To make them comparable, the HIWS.L values have been converted to GBp using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FCSG.L achieves a -1.69% return, which is significantly lower than HIWS.L's 21.23% return.

FCSG.L

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: 1.84%
• YTD: -1.69%
• 6M: -1.06%
• 1Y: -0.11%
• 3Y*: 6.29%
• 5Y*: 5.92%
• 10Y*: —

HIWS.L

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 11.29%
• YTD: 21.23%
• 6M: 21.33%
• 1Y: 40.60%
• 3Y*: 17.16%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FCSG.L vs. HIWS.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
FCSG.L First Trust Global Capital Strength ESG Leaders UCITS ETF Class A Accumulation	-1.69%	3.93%	11.42%	6.17%	-2.65%
HIWS.L HSBC MSCI World Islamic Screened UCITS ETF USD Acc	21.23%	13.05%	8.10%	19.20%	-3.08%

Correlation

The correlation between FCSG.L and HIWS.L is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 2, 2022	0.51

Over the past year, the correlation between FCSG.L and HIWS.L has dropped to 0.26 - well below their long-term average of 0.51, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

FCSG.L vs. HIWS.L — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

FCSG.L

FCSG.L Risk / Return Rank: 9
FCSG.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
FCSG.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
FCSG.L Omega Ratio Rank: 8
FCSG.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
FCSG.L Martin Ratio Rank: 9

HIWS.L

HIWS.L Risk / Return Rank: 90
HIWS.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
HIWS.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
HIWS.L Omega Ratio Rank: 89
HIWS.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
HIWS.L Martin Ratio Rank: 89

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

FCSG.L vs. HIWS.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Global Capital Strength ESG Leaders UCITS ETF Class A Accumulation (FCSG.L) and HSBC MSCI World Islamic Screened UCITS ETF USD Acc (HIWS.L). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	FCSG.L	HIWS.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.01	3.09	-3.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.04	4.19	-4.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.55	-0.55
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.01	5.52	-5.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.04	19.89	-19.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FCSG.L vs. HIWS.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FCSG.L Sharpe Ratio is -0.01, which is lower than the HIWS.L Sharpe Ratio of 3.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FCSG.L and HIWS.L, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FCSG.L	HIWS.L	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.01	3.09	-3.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	1.21	-0.53

Drawdowns

FCSG.L vs. HIWS.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCSG.L drawdown since its inception was -11.39%, smaller than the maximum HIWS.L drawdown of -21.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCSG.L and HIWS.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCSG.L	HIWS.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.39%	-21.14%	+9.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.80%	-7.33%	-0.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.70%	-21.14%	+11.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.39%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.95%	-0.28%	-4.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.65%	-2.78%	+0.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.12%	2.04%	+1.08%

Volatility

FCSG.L vs. HIWS.L - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Global Capital Strength ESG Leaders UCITS ETF Class A Accumulation (FCSG.L) is 2.83%, while HSBC MSCI World Islamic Screened UCITS ETF USD Acc (HIWS.L) has a volatility of 4.48%. This indicates that FCSG.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HIWS.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FCSG.L	HIWS.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.83%	4.48%	-1.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.95%	10.08%	-3.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.82%	13.06%	-4.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.70%	13.72%	-3.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.67%	13.72%	-3.05%

FCSG.L vs. HIWS.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

FCSG.L has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than HIWS.L's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

FCSG.L vs. HIWS.L - Dividend Comparison

Neither FCSG.L nor HIWS.L has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FCSG.L and HIWS.L in my portfolio?

FCSG.L and HIWS.L have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, FCSG.L or HIWS.L?

On fees, HIWS.L is cheaper at 0.30% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, FCSG.L or HIWS.L?

HIWS.L is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for FCSG.L.

What is the main difference between FCSG.L and HIWS.L?

FCSG.L tracks MSCI ACWI NR USD, while HIWS.L tracks MSCI World Islamic Universal Screened Select Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and HSBC. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for FCSG.L and 0.30% for HIWS.L.