FCSG.L vs. SMT.L

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FCSG.L (First Trust Global Capital Strength ESG Leaders UCITS ETF Class A Accumulation) and SMT.L (Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust plc) are both Global Equities funds. FCSG.L is passively managed, while SMT.L is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, FCSG.L returned 5.92%/yr vs 4.67%/yr for SMT.L. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FCSG.L charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.31%/yr for SMT.L.

Performance

FCSG.L vs. SMT.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 Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust plc (SMT.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FCSG.L achieves a -1.69% return, which is significantly lower than SMT.L's 27.32% 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*: —

SMT.L

• 1D: -1.53%
• 1M: 5.30%
• YTD: 27.32%
• 6M: 42.05%
• 1Y: 51.19%
• 3Y*: 30.43%
• 5Y*: 4.67%
• 10Y*: 19.70%

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

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

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FCSG.L First Trust Global Capital Strength ESG Leaders UCITS ETF Class A Accumulation	-1.69%	3.93%	11.42%	6.17%	-3.68%	23.55%
SMT.L Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust plc	27.32%	24.72%	18.75%	12.46%	-45.71%	18.36%

Correlation

The correlation between FCSG.L and SMT.L is 0.10, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.10
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 11, 2021	0.37

Over the past year, the correlation between FCSG.L and SMT.L has dropped to 0.10 - well below their long-term average of 0.37, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

FCSG.L vs. SMT.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

SMT.L

SMT.L Risk / Return Rank: 79
SMT.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
SMT.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
SMT.L Omega Ratio Rank: 78
SMT.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
SMT.L Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. SMT.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 Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust plc (SMT.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	SMT.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.01	2.54	-2.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.04	3.65	-3.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.45	-0.45
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.01	4.16	-4.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.04	14.08	-14.12
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. SMT.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FCSG.L Sharpe Ratio is -0.01, which is lower than the SMT.L Sharpe Ratio of 2.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FCSG.L and SMT.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	SMT.L	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.01	2.54	-2.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	0.16	+0.40
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.68	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.56	+0.12

Drawdowns

FCSG.L vs. SMT.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCSG.L drawdown since its inception was -11.39%, smaller than the maximum SMT.L drawdown of -62.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCSG.L and SMT.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCSG.L	SMT.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.39%	-62.61%	+51.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.80%	-12.26%	+4.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.70%	-28.05%	+18.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.39%	-60.11%	+48.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-60.11%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.95%	-2.27%	-2.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.65%	-16.03%	+13.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.12%	3.62%	-0.50%

Volatility

FCSG.L vs. SMT.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 Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust plc (SMT.L) has a volatility of 4.49%. This indicates that FCSG.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMT.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FCSG.L	SMT.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.83%	4.49%	-1.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.95%	16.02%	-9.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.82%	20.11%	-11.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.70%	29.68%	-18.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.67%	28.76%	-18.09%

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

FCSG.L has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than SMT.L's 0.31% expense ratio.

Dividends

FCSG.L vs. SMT.L - Dividend Comparison

FCSG.L has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SMT.L's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.29%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FCSG.L First Trust Global Capital Strength ESG Leaders UCITS ETF Class A Accumulation	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMT.L Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust plc	0.29%	0.37%	0.44%	0.51%	0.51%	0.26%	0.27%	0.54%	0.66%	0.67%	0.93%	1.05%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

FCSG.L and SMT.L have a correlation of 0.10, 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 SMT.L?

On fees, SMT.L is cheaper at 0.31% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

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

SMT.L is cheaper with a 0.31% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for FCSG.L.

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

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Baillie Gifford Funds. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for FCSG.L and 0.31% for SMT.L.