FSCS vs. DRES

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FSCS (First Trust SMID Capital Strength ETF) and DRES (GMO Domestic Resilience ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. FSCS is passively managed, while DRES is actively managed. Their 0.71 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FSCS charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for DRES.

Performance

FSCS vs. DRES - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust SMID Capital Strength ETF (FSCS) and GMO Domestic Resilience ETF (DRES). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FSCS achieves a 5.33% return, which is significantly lower than DRES's 21.60% return.

FSCS

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.73%
• 6M: 2.50%
• YTD: 5.33%
• 1Y: 6.10%
• 3Y*: 9.17%
• 5Y*: 6.49%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.87%

DRES

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 0.31%
• 6M: 12.48%
• YTD: 21.60%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

*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)
DRES GMO Domestic Resilience ETF	$93.72K	$76.15K	$99.36K
FSCS First Trust SMID Capital Strength ETF	$142.63K	$149.23K	$210.39K

FSCS vs. DRES - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FSCS First Trust SMID Capital Strength ETF	5.33%	-2.20%
DRES GMO Domestic Resilience ETF	21.60%	2.50%

Correlation

The correlation between FSCS and DRES is 0.71, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2025	0.71

Return for Risk

FSCS vs. DRES — Risk / Return Rank

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

FSCS

FSCS Risk / Return Rank: 21
FSCS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
FSCS Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
FSCS Omega Ratio Rank: 19
FSCS Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
FSCS Martin Ratio Rank: 21

DRES

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

FSCS vs. DRES - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust SMID Capital Strength ETF (FSCS) and GMO Domestic Resilience ETF (DRES). 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.

	FSCS	DRES	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.41	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.71	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.66	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.37	—	—

Drawdowns

FSCS vs. DRES - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSCS drawdown since its inception was -43.57%, which is greater than DRES's maximum drawdown of -10.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSCS and DRES.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSCS	DRES	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.57%	-10.41%	-33.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.81%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.55%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.25%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.12%	-1.59%	-0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.93%	-2.14%	-3.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.74%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	FSCS	DRES	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.22%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.76%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.55%	18.07%	-5.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.98%	18.07%	-0.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.08%	18.07%	+3.01%

FSCS vs. DRES - Expense Ratio Comparison

FSCS has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than DRES's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

FSCS vs. DRES - Dividend Comparison

FSCS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%, more than DRES's 0.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DRES GMO Domestic Resilience ETF	0.52%	0.22%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FSCS First Trust SMID Capital Strength ETF	0.98%	0.75%	1.12%	1.47%	1.71%	1.21%	1.33%	1.68%	1.67%	0.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSCS and DRES in my portfolio?

FSCS and DRES have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, FSCS or DRES?

On fees, DRES is cheaper at 0.50% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, FSCS or DRES?

DRES is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FSCS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FSCS or DRES?

FSCS has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.52% for DRES.

What is the main difference between FSCS and DRES?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and GMO. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FSCS and 0.50% for DRES.