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FST.TO vs. XEG.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FST.TO vs. XEG.TO

Last updated Jul 16, 2026
Documentation

FST.TO (First Trust Canadian Capital Strength ETF) and XEG.TO (iShares S&P/TSX Capped Energy Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FST.TO is a Canada Equities fund actively managed by First Trust, while XEG.TO is a Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P/TSX Capped Energy Index. FST.TO is actively managed, while XEG.TO is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FST.TO returned 16.91%/yr vs 30.32%/yr for XEG.TO. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FST.TO charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for XEG.TO.

Performance

FST.TO vs. XEG.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 Capped Energy Index ETF (XEG.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FST.TO achieves a 9.32% return, which is significantly lower than XEG.TO's 35.02% return.

FST.TO

1D
0.37%
1M
-0.03%
6M
5.45%
YTD
9.32%
1Y
26.44%
3Y*
23.27%
5Y*
16.91%
10Y*
—

XEG.TO

1D
-0.47%
1M
0.08%
6M
28.16%
YTD
35.02%
1Y
53.08%
3Y*
24.73%
5Y*
30.32%
10Y*
10.85%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

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

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FST.TO
First Trust Canadian Capital Strength ETF		9.32%29.77%26.23%12.01%2.26%19.40%2.56%16.10%-8.27%14.81%
XEG.TO
iShares S&P/TSX Capped Energy Index ETF		35.02%16.72%14.04%3.55%53.25%83.71%-34.44%9.04%-27.05%-11.17%

Correlation

The correlation between FST.TO and XEG.TO is 0.01, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

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

0.01

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

0.27

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

0.28

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2016

0.31

Over the past year, the correlation between FST.TO and XEG.TO has dropped to 0.01 - well below their long-term average of 0.31, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

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

Sectors
FST.TO
XEG.TO

Consumer Cyclical

21.1%

-

Financial Services

20.3%

-

Industrials

19.0%

-

Energy

15.3%
100.0%

Technology

12.0%

-

Basic Materials

8.3%

-

Consumer Defensive

4.1%

-

Communication Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

FST.TO
21.1%
XEG.TO

-

Financial Services

FST.TO
20.3%
XEG.TO

-

Industrials

FST.TO
19.0%
XEG.TO

-

Energy

FST.TO
15.3%
XEG.TO
100.0%

Technology

FST.TO
12.0%
XEG.TO

-

Basic Materials

FST.TO
8.3%
XEG.TO

-

Consumer Defensive

FST.TO
4.1%
XEG.TO

-

Communication Services

FST.TO

-

XEG.TO

-

Healthcare

FST.TO

-

XEG.TO

-

Real Estate

FST.TO

-

XEG.TO

-

Utilities

FST.TO

-

XEG.TO

-

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 Capped Energy Index ETF

Often compared with FST.TO:
FST.TO vs. BLCK.TOFST.TO vs. CLSA.TOFST.TO vs. HXH.TOFST.TO vs. DMEC.TOFST.TO vs. TLV.TOFST.TO vs. ZDV.TOFST.TO vs. CDZ.TO
Often compared with XEG.TO:
XEG.TO vs. XLEXEG.TO vs. XEQT.TOXEG.TO vs. CNQ.TOXEG.TO vs. ZEO.TOXEG.TO vs. HXE.TOXEG.TO vs. XDIV.TOXEG.TO vs. XCG.TO

Return for Risk

FST.TO vs. XEG.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: 8181
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: 8989
Martin Ratio Rank
XEG.TO
XEG.TO Risk / Return Rank: 7878
Overall Rank
XEG.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8787
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XEG.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 7777
Sortino Ratio Rank
XEG.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 7878
Omega Ratio Rank
XEG.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 7878
Calmar Ratio Rank
XEG.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 6969
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. XEG.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 Capped Energy Index ETF (XEG.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.

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.

FST.TOXEG.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.08
2.23

-0.15

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.97
2.75

+0.22

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.38

1.36

+0.02

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.79

3.24

+0.55

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

15.77

10.01

+5.76

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

The current FST.TO Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is comparable to the XEG.TO Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FST.TO and XEG.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.

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Drawdowns

FST.TO vs. XEG.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FST.TO drawdown since its inception was -38.15%, smaller than the maximum XEG.TO drawdown of -87.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FST.TO and XEG.TO.

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Drawdown Indicators

FST.TOXEG.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-38.15%

-87.51%

+49.36%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.01%

-16.47%

+9.46%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-12.33%

-25.67%

+13.34%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-14.73%

-28.42%

+13.69%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-79.66%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.47%

-10.20%

+9.73%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.25%

-34.52%

+31.27%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.68%

5.32%

-3.64%

Volatility

FST.TO vs. XEG.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Canadian Capital Strength ETF (FST.TO) is 2.57%, while iShares S&P/TSX Capped Energy Index ETF (XEG.TO) has a volatility of 8.00%. This indicates that FST.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XEG.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

FST.TOXEG.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.57%

8.00%

-5.43%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.09%

19.83%

-9.74%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.81%

23.95%

-11.14%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.14%

28.67%

-14.53%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

15.28%

33.41%

-18.13%

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

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

Dividends

FST.TO vs. XEG.TO - Dividend Comparison

FST.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%, less than XEG.TO's 2.73% 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%1.12%0.67%0.00%0.00%
XEG.TO
iShares S&P/TSX Capped Energy Index ETF		2.73%3.63%3.46%4.26%3.31%1.64%2.96%2.70%2.25%1.41%1.40%3.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

FST.TO and XEG.TO have a correlation of 0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

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

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

FST.TO is categorized as Canada Equities, while XEG.TO is Energy Equities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for FST.TO and 0.60% for XEG.TO.

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