FICS vs. SPLV
FICS (First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF) and SPLV (Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FICS is a Global Equities fund tracking the The International Developed Capital Strength Index, while SPLV is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Low Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FICS returned 5.56%/yr vs 6.17%/yr for SPLV. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FICS charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for SPLV.
Performance
FICS vs. SPLV - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with FICS having a 3.77% return and SPLV slightly lower at 3.69%.
FICS
- 1D
- -0.28%
- 1M
- 1.20%
- YTD
- 3.77%
- 6M
- 3.89%
- 1Y
- 9.36%
- 3Y*
- 10.94%
- 5Y*
- 5.56%
- 10Y*
- —
SPLV
- 1D
- 0.39%
- 1M
- -0.96%
- YTD
- 3.69%
- 6M
- 3.45%
- 1Y
- 4.34%
- 3Y*
- 8.03%
- 5Y*
- 6.17%
- 10Y*
- 8.24%
FICS vs. SPLV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FICS First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF | 3.77% | 20.44% | 2.59% | 18.07% | -19.47% | 19.78% | 2.47% |
SPLV Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF | 3.69% | 4.10% | 13.93% | 0.53% | -4.88% | 24.13% | 0.96% |
Correlation
The correlation between FICS and SPLV is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.48 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.50 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.53 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 16, 2020 | 0.51 |
The correlation between FICS and SPLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.48 to 0.53 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
FICS vs. SPLV — Risk / Return Rank
FICS
SPLV
FICS vs. SPLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF (FICS) and Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (SPLV). 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 | SPLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.28 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.43 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.13 | 1.08 | +0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.91 | 0.59 | +0.32 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.59 | 1.36 | +1.23 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
FICS vs. SPLV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FICS drawdown since its inception was -29.16%, smaller than the maximum SPLV drawdown of -36.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FICS and SPLV.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| FICS | SPLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -29.16% | -36.26% | +7.10% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.32% | -7.41% | -2.91% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.66% | -9.64% | -2.02% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.16% | -17.26% | -11.90% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -36.26% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.01% | -4.73% | +2.72% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.16% | -3.55% | -3.61% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.62% | 3.20% | +0.42% |
Volatility
FICS vs. SPLV - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF (FICS) is 3.38%, while Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (SPLV) has a volatility of 4.05%. This indicates that FICS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| FICS | SPLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.38% | 4.05% | -0.67% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.94% | 7.27% | +3.67% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.30% | 10.21% | +3.09% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.23% | 12.49% | +4.74% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.90% | 15.39% | +1.51% |
FICS vs. SPLV - Expense Ratio Comparison
FICS has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than SPLV's 0.25% expense ratio.
Dividends
FICS vs. SPLV - Dividend Comparison
FICS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.90%, less than SPLV's 2.37% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FICS First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF | 1.90% | 1.85% | 2.01% | 1.02% | 1.89% | 1.26% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
SPLV Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF | 2.37% | 2.04% | 1.88% | 2.45% | 2.11% | 1.51% | 2.12% | 2.08% | 2.18% | 2.03% | 2.03% | 2.28% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FICS and SPLV have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SPLV has higher volatility (4.05%) compared to FICS (3.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FICS dropped -29.16% vs SPLV's -36.26%.
On 5-year performance, SPLV leads with 6.17% vs 5.56% for FICS. On fees, SPLV is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, FICS has been the lower-risk option at 3.38%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, SPLV has performed better with a 6.17% return vs 5.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SPLV is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for FICS.
SPLV has the higher dividend yield at 2.37%, compared with 1.90% for FICS.
FICS is categorized as Global Equities, while SPLV is S&P 500. FICS tracks The International Developed Capital Strength Index, while SPLV tracks S&P 500 Low Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for FICS and 0.25% for SPLV.
FICS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.71 vs 0.43), 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.
Find the right allocation for FICS and SPLV
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer