PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
FST.TO vs. XCS.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FST.TO vs. XCS.TO

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FST.TO (First Trust Canadian Capital Strength ETF) and XCS.TO (iShares S&P/TSX SmallCap Index ETF) are both Canada Equities funds. FST.TO is actively managed, while XCS.TO is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FST.TO returned 16.99%/yr vs 12.50%/yr for XCS.TO. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FST.TO charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for XCS.TO.

Performance

FST.TO vs. XCS.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in First Trust Canadian Capital Strength ETF (FST.TO) and iShares S&P/TSX SmallCap Index ETF (XCS.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FST.TO achieves a 9.83% return, which is significantly lower than XCS.TO's 24.60% return.

FST.TO

1D
0.93%
1M
2.44%
YTD
9.83%
6M
10.32%
1Y
31.56%
3Y*
24.13%
5Y*
16.99%
10Y*
—

XCS.TO

1D
0.87%
1M
5.01%
YTD
24.60%
6M
21.86%
1Y
63.46%
3Y*
29.60%
5Y*
12.50%
10Y*
9.98%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FST.TO vs. XCS.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FST.TO
First Trust Canadian Capital Strength ETF		9.83%29.77%26.23%12.01%2.26%19.40%2.56%16.10%-8.07%15.56%
XCS.TO
iShares S&P/TSX SmallCap Index ETF		24.60%43.37%18.11%4.17%-8.95%7.46%13.10%17.62%-19.51%2.27%

Correlation

The correlation between FST.TO and XCS.TO is 0.58, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.58

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.55

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.48

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 9, 2016

0.42

The correlation between FST.TO and XCS.TO shifts across timeframes, from 0.42 (all time) to 0.58 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FST.TO vs. XCS.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FST.TO
XCS.TO

Financial Services

20.2%
5.0%

Industrials

18.9%
12.3%

Consumer Cyclical

17.1%
3.7%

Energy

15.3%
24.5%

Basic Materials

12.4%
30.3%

Technology

12.0%
4.3%

Consumer Defensive

3.9%
2.7%

Communication Services

-

1.0%

Healthcare

-

4.8%

Real Estate

-

9.7%

Utilities

-

1.7%

Financial Services

FST.TO
20.2%
XCS.TO
5.0%

Industrials

FST.TO
18.9%
XCS.TO
12.3%

Consumer Cyclical

FST.TO
17.1%
XCS.TO
3.7%

Energy

FST.TO
15.3%
XCS.TO
24.5%

Basic Materials

FST.TO
12.4%
XCS.TO
30.3%

Technology

FST.TO
12.0%
XCS.TO
4.3%

Consumer Defensive

FST.TO
3.9%
XCS.TO
2.7%

Communication Services

FST.TO

-

XCS.TO
1.0%

Healthcare

FST.TO

-

XCS.TO
4.8%

Real Estate

FST.TO

-

XCS.TO
9.7%

Utilities

FST.TO

-

XCS.TO
1.7%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

First Trust Canadian Capital Strength ETF

iShares S&P/TSX SmallCap Index ETF

Often compared with FST.TO:
FST.TO vs. BLCK.TOFST.TO vs. DMEC.TOFST.TO vs. CLSA.TOFST.TO vs. HCA.TOFST.TO vs. HXH.TOFST.TO vs. QCN.TOFST.TO vs. TCLV.TO
Often compared with XCS.TO:
XCS.TO vs. XCV.TOXCS.TO vs. XMD.TOXCS.TO vs. XCSR.TOXCS.TO vs. XEI.TOXCS.TO vs. VBRXCS.TO vs. XUS.TOXCS.TO vs. VEQT.TO

Return for Risk

FST.TO vs. XCS.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FST.TO
FST.TO Risk / Return Rank: 8484
Overall Rank
FST.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8080
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FST.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 8383
Sortino Ratio Rank
FST.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 8181
Omega Ratio Rank
FST.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 8585
Calmar Ratio Rank
FST.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 9090
Martin Ratio Rank
XCS.TO
XCS.TO Risk / Return Rank: 8282
Overall Rank
XCS.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8888
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XCS.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 7575
Sortino Ratio Rank
XCS.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 8585
Omega Ratio Rank
XCS.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 8383
Calmar Ratio Rank
XCS.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 7979
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

FST.TO vs. XCS.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Canadian Capital Strength ETF (FST.TO) and iShares S&P/TSX SmallCap Index ETF (XCS.TO). 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.

FST.TOXCS.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.56
2.95

-0.39

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.64
3.35

+0.29

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.47

1.51

-0.04

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

4.53

4.37

+0.15

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

20.71

14.97

+5.74

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FST.TO vs. XCS.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FST.TO Sharpe Ratio is 2.56, which is comparable to the XCS.TO Sharpe Ratio of 2.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FST.TO and XCS.TO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

FST.TOXCS.TODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.56

2.95

-0.39

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

1.22

0.62

+0.60

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

—

0.49

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.84

0.24

+0.60

Drawdowns

FST.TO vs. XCS.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FST.TO drawdown since its inception was -38.15%, smaller than the maximum XCS.TO drawdown of -61.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FST.TO and XCS.TO.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

FST.TOXCS.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-38.15%

-61.18%

+23.03%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.01%

-14.58%

+7.57%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-12.33%

-15.54%

+3.21%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-14.73%

-34.63%

+19.90%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-50.44%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-0.44%

+0.44%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.27%

-16.95%

+13.68%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.53%

4.25%

-2.72%

Volatility

FST.TO vs. XCS.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Canadian Capital Strength ETF (FST.TO) is 2.73%, while iShares S&P/TSX SmallCap Index ETF (XCS.TO) has a volatility of 4.59%. This indicates that FST.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XCS.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

FST.TOXCS.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.73%

4.59%

-1.86%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.79%

17.36%

-7.57%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.41%

21.62%

-9.21%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.05%

20.42%

-6.37%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

15.32%

20.41%

-5.09%

FST.TO vs. XCS.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

FST.TO has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than XCS.TO's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

FST.TO vs. XCS.TO - Dividend Comparison

FST.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%, less than XCS.TO's 1.02% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FST.TO
First Trust Canadian Capital Strength ETF		0.92%1.01%1.16%1.63%2.03%1.87%1.85%1.91%1.37%1.30%0.00%0.00%
XCS.TO
iShares S&P/TSX SmallCap Index ETF		1.02%1.36%1.73%2.59%2.07%1.51%1.78%2.27%2.12%1.81%1.46%2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

FST.TO and XCS.TO have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

On fees, XCS.TO is cheaper at 0.60% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

XCS.TO is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for FST.TO.

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for FST.TO and 0.60% for XCS.TO.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for FST.TO and XCS.TO

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