FTCS vs. GXLC

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FTCS (First Trust Capital Strength ETF) and GXLC (Global X U.S. 500 ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - FTCS tracks the The Capital Strength Index while GXLC tracks the Solactive GBS United States 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Their 0.32 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. FTCS charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for GXLC.

Performance

FTCS vs. GXLC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) and Global X U.S. 500 ETF (GXLC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTCS achieves a 7.43% return, which is significantly lower than GXLC's 10.06% return.

FTCS

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: 1.68%
• 6M: 2.72%
• YTD: 7.43%
• 1Y: 10.38%
• 3Y*: 10.35%
• 5Y*: 6.18%
• 10Y*: 10.69%
• ALL TIME*: 9.89%

GXLC

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: 0.20%
• 6M: 8.81%
• YTD: 10.06%
• 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)
FTCS First Trust Capital Strength ETF	$55.85M	$52.96M	$62.83M
GXLC Global X U.S. 500 ETF	$27.98K	$20.23K	$17.31K

FTCS vs. GXLC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FTCS First Trust Capital Strength ETF	7.43%	0.67%
GXLC Global X U.S. 500 ETF	10.06%	3.22%

Correlation

The correlation between FTCS and GXLC is 0.32, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2025	0.32

Return for Risk

FTCS vs. GXLC — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTCS

FTCS Risk / Return Rank: 37
FTCS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
FTCS Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
FTCS Omega Ratio Rank: 35
FTCS Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
FTCS Martin Ratio Rank: 31

GXLC

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.

FTCS vs. GXLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) and Global X U.S. 500 ETF (GXLC). 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	GXLC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.96	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.52	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.30	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.89	—	—

Drawdowns

FTCS vs. GXLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTCS drawdown since its inception was -53.64%, which is greater than GXLC's maximum drawdown of -9.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTCS and GXLC.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTCS	GXLC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.64%	-9.08%	-44.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.74%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.62%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.93%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.93%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.64%	-1.48%	-0.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.90%	-1.58%	-5.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.48%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	FTCS	GXLC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.61%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.17%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.54%	13.60%	-3.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.25%	13.60%	-0.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.55%	13.60%	+1.95%

FTCS vs. GXLC - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTCS has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is higher than GXLC's 0.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTCS vs. GXLC - Dividend Comparison

FTCS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.08%, more than GXLC's 0.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTCS First Trust Capital Strength ETF	1.08%	1.04%	1.33%	1.47%	1.23%	1.06%	0.93%	1.26%	1.26%	1.15%	1.43%	1.50%
GXLC Global X U.S. 500 ETF	0.64%	0.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTCS and GXLC in my portfolio?

FTCS and GXLC have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, FTCS or GXLC?

On fees, GXLC is cheaper at 0.02% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTCS or GXLC?

GXLC is cheaper with a 0.02% expense ratio, compared with 0.53% for FTCS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTCS or GXLC?

FTCS has the higher dividend yield at 1.08%, compared with 0.64% for GXLC.

What is the main difference between FTCS and GXLC?

FTCS tracks The Capital Strength Index, while GXLC tracks Solactive GBS United States 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.53% for FTCS and 0.02% for GXLC.