FICS vs. BOAT

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

FICS (First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF) and BOAT (SonicShares Global Shipping ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FICS is a Global Equities fund tracking the The International Developed Capital Strength Index, while BOAT is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the Solactive Global Shipping Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FICS returned 5.38%/yr vs 24.35%/yr for BOAT. Their 0.40 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. FICS charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BOAT.

Performance

FICS vs. BOAT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF (FICS) and SonicShares Global Shipping ETF (BOAT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FICS achieves a 8.72% return, which is significantly lower than BOAT's 44.44% return.

FICS

• 1D: 0.85%
• 1M: 1.41%
• 6M: 7.33%
• YTD: 8.72%
• 1Y: 14.35%
• 3Y*: 12.86%
• 5Y*: 5.38%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.31%

BOAT

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: 12.97%
• 6M: 26.12%
• YTD: 44.44%
• 1Y: 56.33%
• 3Y*: 26.76%
• 5Y*: 24.35%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 24.70%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BOAT SonicShares Global Shipping ETF	$1.71M	$1.08M	$1.05M
FICS First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF	$518.34K	$465.94K	$910.86K

FICS vs. BOAT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FICS First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF	8.72%	20.44%	2.59%	18.07%	-19.47%	2.48%
BOAT SonicShares Global Shipping ETF	44.44%	22.77%	5.97%	24.53%	6.26%	21.24%

Correlation

The correlation between FICS and BOAT is 0.33, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.35
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 4, 2021	0.40

FICS vs. BOAT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FICS	BOAT
Financial Services	29.0%	6.6%
Industrials	27.7%	29.2%
Consumer Defensive	13.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.5%	-
Healthcare	9.6%	-
Basic Materials	4.1%	-
Communication Services	3.6%	-
Energy	3.1%	10.3%
Technology	1.7%	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FICS vs. BOAT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FICS

FICS Risk / Return Rank: 38
FICS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
FICS Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
FICS Omega Ratio Rank: 38
FICS Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
FICS Martin Ratio Rank: 39

BOAT

BOAT Risk / Return Rank: 91
BOAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
BOAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
BOAT Omega Ratio Rank: 89
BOAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
BOAT Martin Ratio Rank: 86

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FICS vs. BOAT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF (FICS) and SonicShares Global Shipping ETF (BOAT). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	FICS	BOAT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.09	2.74	-1.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.65	3.59	-1.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.44	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.40	4.88	-3.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.64	13.77	-9.12

FICS vs. BOAT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FICS Sharpe Ratio is 1.09, which is lower than the BOAT Sharpe Ratio of 2.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FICS and BOAT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FICS vs. BOAT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FICS drawdown since its inception was -29.16%, smaller than the maximum BOAT drawdown of -33.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FICS and BOAT.

Drawdown Indicators

	FICS	BOAT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.16%	-33.94%	+4.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.32%	-11.60%	+1.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.14%	-33.94%	+22.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.16%	-33.94%	+4.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.97%	+0.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.03%	-9.50%	+2.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.10%	4.10%	-1.00%

Volatility

FICS vs. BOAT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF (FICS) is 3.67%, while SonicShares Global Shipping ETF (BOAT) has a volatility of 6.47%. This indicates that FICS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BOAT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FICS	BOAT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.67%	6.47%	-2.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.24%	16.87%	-5.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.20%	20.69%	-7.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.25%	25.05%	-7.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.81%	25.05%	-8.24%

FICS vs. BOAT - Expense Ratio Comparison

FICS has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than BOAT's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

FICS vs. BOAT - Dividend Comparison

FICS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.78%, less than BOAT's 6.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BOAT SonicShares Global Shipping ETF	6.37%	8.08%	13.89%	13.65%	13.57%	1.36%
FICS First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF	1.78%	1.85%	2.01%	1.02%	1.89%	1.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FICS and BOAT in my portfolio?

FICS and BOAT have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FICS or BOAT?

BOAT has higher volatility (6.47%) compared to FICS (3.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FICS dropped -29.16% vs BOAT's -33.94%.

Which ETF is better, FICS or BOAT?

On 5-year performance, BOAT leads with 24.35% vs 5.38% for FICS. On fees, BOAT is cheaper at 0.69% per year. On volatility, FICS has been the lower-risk option at 3.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FICS or BOAT?

Over the 5-year period, BOAT has performed better with a 24.35% return vs 5.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FICS or BOAT?

BOAT is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for FICS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FICS or BOAT?

BOAT has the higher dividend yield at 6.37%, compared with 1.78% for FICS.

What is the main difference between FICS and BOAT?

FICS is categorized as Global Equities, while BOAT is Industrials Equities. FICS tracks The International Developed Capital Strength Index, while BOAT tracks Solactive Global Shipping Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Tidal. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for FICS and 0.69% for BOAT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BOAT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.74 vs 1.09), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.