FTCS vs. RAFE
FTCS (First Trust Capital Strength ETF) and RAFE (PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - FTCS tracks the The Capital Strength Index while RAFE tracks the RAFI ESG US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FTCS returned 6.18%/yr vs 11.54%/yr for RAFE. Their 0.80 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FTCS charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for RAFE.
Performance
FTCS vs. RAFE - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTCS achieves a 7.43% return, which is significantly lower than RAFE's 16.68% 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%
RAFE
- 1D
- -0.31%
- 1M
- 1.12%
- 6M
- 14.64%
- YTD
- 16.68%
- 1Y
- 31.75%
- 3Y*
- 18.09%
- 5Y*
- 11.54%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 12.67%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $55.85M | $52.96M | $62.83M | |
| $564.44K | $467.39K | $607.84K |
FTCS vs. RAFE - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTCS First Trust Capital Strength ETF | 7.43% | 6.46% | 11.19% | 8.48% | -10.22% | 26.75% | 13.05% | 0.82% |
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF | 16.68% | 17.60% | 13.81% | 18.80% | -13.76% | 30.16% | 5.29% | 0.43% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTCS and RAFE is 0.60, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.60 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.75 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.81 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2019 | 0.80 |
The correlation between FTCS and RAFE shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (1 year) to 0.81 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FTCS vs. RAFE — Risk / Return Rank
FTCS
RAFE
FTCS vs. RAFE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) and PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE). 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 | RAFE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.71 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.19 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.48 | -0.31 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.30 | 4.09 | -2.79 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.89 | 16.26 | -13.36 |
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Drawdowns
FTCS vs. RAFE - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTCS drawdown since its inception was -53.64%, which is greater than RAFE's maximum drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTCS and RAFE.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FTCS | RAFE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -53.64% | -35.74% | -17.90% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.74% | -7.46% | -0.28% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.62% | -16.36% | +3.74% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.93% | -24.28% | +3.35% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -31.93% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.64% | -0.96% | -0.68% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.90% | -6.08% | -0.82% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.48% | 1.87% | +1.61% |
Volatility
FTCS vs. RAFE - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) has a higher volatility of 4.61% compared to PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) at 3.01%. This indicates that FTCS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RAFE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FTCS | RAFE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.61% | 3.01% | +1.60% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.17% | 8.70% | -0.53% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.54% | 11.48% | -0.94% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.25% | 15.05% | -1.80% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.55% | 19.27% | -3.72% |
FTCS vs. RAFE - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTCS has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is higher than RAFE's 0.30% expense ratio.
Dividends
FTCS vs. RAFE - Dividend Comparison
FTCS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.08%, less than RAFE's 1.48% 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% |
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF | 1.48% | 1.67% | 1.79% | 1.81% | 2.22% | 1.42% | 2.36% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FTCS and RAFE have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FTCS has higher volatility (4.61%) compared to RAFE (3.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTCS dropped -53.64% vs RAFE's -35.74%.
On 5-year performance, RAFE leads with 11.54% vs 6.18% for FTCS. On fees, RAFE is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, RAFE has been the lower-risk option at 3.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, RAFE has performed better with a 11.54% return vs 6.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
RAFE is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.53% for FTCS.
RAFE has the higher dividend yield at 1.48%, compared with 1.08% for FTCS.
FTCS tracks The Capital Strength Index, while RAFE tracks RAFI ESG US Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and PIMCO. Their fees differ too: 0.53% for FTCS and 0.30% for RAFE.
RAFE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 vs 0.96), 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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