FTCS vs. FMB
FTCS (First Trust Capital Strength ETF) and FMB (First Trust Managed Municipal ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTCS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the The Capital Strength Index, while FMB is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust. FTCS is passively managed, while FMB is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTCS returned 10.41%/yr vs 2.20%/yr for FMB. At a 0.01 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FTCS charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for FMB.
Performance
FTCS vs. FMB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTCS achieves a 0.55% return, which is significantly lower than FMB's 2.04% return. Over the past 10 years, FTCS has outperformed FMB with an annualized return of 10.41%, while FMB has yielded a comparatively lower 2.20% annualized return.
FTCS
- 1D
- -0.25%
- 1M
- -1.88%
- YTD
- 0.55%
- 6M
- -0.32%
- 1Y
- 5.44%
- 3Y*
- 9.28%
- 5Y*
- 5.80%
- 10Y*
- 10.41%
FMB
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 1.42%
- YTD
- 2.04%
- 6M
- 2.15%
- 1Y
- 6.92%
- 3Y*
- 3.74%
- 5Y*
- 0.78%
- 10Y*
- 2.20%
FTCS vs. FMB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTCS First Trust Capital Strength ETF | 0.55% | 6.46% | 11.19% | 8.48% | -10.22% | 26.75% | 13.05% | 26.71% | -4.22% | 26.57% |
FMB First Trust Managed Municipal ETF | 2.04% | 3.73% | 1.94% | 6.31% | -9.91% | 2.43% | 4.44% | 8.25% | 0.89% | 7.22% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTCS and FMB is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.18 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.13 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.05 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 15, 2014 | 0.01 |
The correlation between FTCS and FMB shifts across timeframes, from 0.01 (all time) to 0.18 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FTCS vs. FMB — Risk / Return Rank
FTCS
FMB
FTCS vs. FMB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) and First Trust Managed Municipal ETF (FMB). 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.
| FTCS | FMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.09 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.97 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.10 | 1.59 | -0.49 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.71 | 2.54 | -1.84 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.63 | 9.06 | -7.43 |
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Drawdowns
FTCS vs. FMB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTCS drawdown since its inception was -53.64%, which is greater than FMB's maximum drawdown of -14.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTCS and FMB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FTCS | FMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -53.64% | -14.16% | -39.48% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.74% | -2.73% | -5.01% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.62% | -4.76% | -7.86% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.93% | -14.16% | -6.77% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -31.93% | -14.16% | -17.77% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.45% | -0.24% | -6.21% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.92% | -2.60% | -4.32% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.34% | 0.76% | +2.58% |
Volatility
FTCS vs. FMB - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) has a higher volatility of 2.99% compared to First Trust Managed Municipal ETF (FMB) at 0.73%. This indicates that FTCS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FMB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FTCS | FMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.99% | 0.73% | +2.26% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.22% | 1.96% | +5.26% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 9.95% | 2.64% | +7.31% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.14% | 3.71% | +9.43% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.55% | 4.55% | +11.00% |
FTCS vs. FMB - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTCS has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is higher than FMB's 0.50% expense ratio.
Dividends
FTCS vs. FMB - Dividend Comparison
FTCS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.12%, less than FMB's 3.49% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FMB First Trust Managed Municipal ETF | 3.49% | 3.37% | 3.22% | 2.98% | 2.47% | 1.96% | 2.19% | 2.47% | 2.58% | 2.49% | 2.93% | 3.07% |
FTCS First Trust Capital Strength ETF | 1.12% | 1.04% | 1.33% | 1.47% | 1.23% | 1.06% | 0.93% | 1.26% | 1.26% | 1.15% | 1.43% | 1.50% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FTCS and FMB have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FTCS has higher volatility (2.99%) compared to FMB (0.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTCS dropped -53.64% vs FMB's -14.16%.
On 10-year performance, FTCS leads with 10.41% vs 2.20% for FMB. On fees, FMB is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, FMB has been the lower-risk option at 0.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, FTCS has performed better with a 10.41% return vs 2.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FMB is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.53% for FTCS.
FMB has the higher dividend yield at 3.49%, compared with 1.12% for FTCS.
FTCS is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while FMB is Municipal Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.53% for FTCS and 0.50% for FMB.
FMB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 0.55), 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.
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