FTCS vs. ITOT

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

FTCS (First Trust Capital Strength ETF) and ITOT (iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - FTCS tracks the The Capital Strength Index while ITOT tracks the S&P Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTCS returned 10.37%/yr vs 14.63%/yr for ITOT. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FTCS charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for ITOT.

Performance

FTCS vs. ITOT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTCS achieves a 5.41% return, which is significantly lower than ITOT's 10.96% return. Over the past 10 years, FTCS has underperformed ITOT with an annualized return of 10.37%, while ITOT has yielded a comparatively higher 14.63% annualized return.

FTCS

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 2.84%
• 6M: 2.28%
• YTD: 5.41%
• 1Y: 7.84%
• 3Y*: 10.17%
• 5Y*: 6.07%
• 10Y*: 10.37%

ITOT

• 1D: -0.82%
• 1M: 1.16%
• 6M: 8.51%
• YTD: 10.96%
• 1Y: 21.72%
• 3Y*: 19.76%
• 5Y*: 12.00%
• 10Y*: 14.63%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FTCS vs. ITOT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTCS First Trust Capital Strength ETF	5.41%	6.46%	11.19%	8.48%	-10.22%	26.75%	13.05%	26.71%	-4.22%	26.57%
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	10.96%	17.00%	23.80%	26.12%	-19.47%	25.68%	20.71%	30.67%	-5.33%	21.37%

Correlation

The correlation between FTCS and ITOT is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 11, 2006	0.84

Over the past year, the correlation between FTCS and ITOT has dropped to 0.41 - well below their long-term average of 0.84, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FTCS vs. ITOT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTCS	ITOT
Financial Services	20.0%	11.4%
Industrials	19.6%	9.1%
Healthcare	18.5%	8.8%
Consumer Defensive	14.2%	4.3%
Technology	13.6%	37.2%
Consumer Cyclical	7.7%	9.8%
Communication Services	2.3%	9.8%
Energy	2.1%	3.3%
Basic Materials	2.1%	2.0%
Real Estate	-	2.3%
Utilities	-	2.1%

Return for Risk

FTCS vs. ITOT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

FTCS

FTCS Risk / Return Rank: 25
FTCS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
FTCS Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
FTCS Omega Ratio Rank: 24
FTCS Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
FTCS Martin Ratio Rank: 23

ITOT

ITOT Risk / Return Rank: 65
ITOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
ITOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
ITOT Omega Ratio Rank: 64
ITOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
ITOT Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

FTCS vs. ITOT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). 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	ITOT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.77	1.70	-0.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.22	2.35	-1.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.31	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.02	2.45	-1.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.27	10.69	-8.41

FTCS vs. ITOT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTCS Sharpe Ratio is 0.77, which is lower than the ITOT Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTCS and ITOT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FTCS vs. ITOT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTCS drawdown since its inception was -53.64%, roughly equal to the maximum ITOT drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTCS and ITOT.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTCS	ITOT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.64%	-55.20%	+1.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.74%	-8.90%	+1.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.62%	-19.44%	+6.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.93%	-25.36%	+4.43%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.93%	-35.00%	+3.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.93%	-0.98%	-0.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.91%	-6.95%	+0.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.45%	2.04%	+1.41%

Volatility

FTCS vs. ITOT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is 3.60%, while iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT) has a volatility of 4.05%. This indicates that FTCS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ITOT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTCS	ITOT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.60%	4.05%	-0.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.51%	10.15%	-2.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.17%	12.87%	-2.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.18%	17.47%	-4.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.52%	18.25%	-2.73%

FTCS vs. ITOT - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTCS has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is higher than ITOT's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTCS vs. ITOT - Dividend Comparison

FTCS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.10%, more than ITOT's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTCS First Trust Capital Strength ETF	1.10%	1.04%	1.33%	1.47%	1.23%	1.06%	0.93%	1.26%	1.26%	1.15%	1.43%	1.50%
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	1.00%	1.11%	1.23%	1.47%	1.66%	1.18%	1.41%	1.88%	2.14%	1.69%	1.83%	2.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTCS and ITOT in my portfolio?

FTCS and ITOT have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTCS or ITOT?

ITOT has higher volatility (4.05%) compared to FTCS (3.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTCS dropped -53.64% vs ITOT's -55.20%.

Which ETF is better, FTCS or ITOT?

On 10-year performance, ITOT leads with 14.63% vs 10.37% for FTCS. On fees, ITOT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, FTCS has been the lower-risk option at 3.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTCS or ITOT?

Over the 10-year period, ITOT has performed better with a 14.63% return vs 10.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTCS or ITOT?

ITOT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.53% for FTCS.

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

FTCS has the higher dividend yield at 1.10%, compared with 1.00% for ITOT.

What is the main difference between FTCS and ITOT?

FTCS tracks The Capital Strength Index, while ITOT tracks S&P Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.53% for FTCS and 0.03% for ITOT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ITOT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 0.77), 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.