FTCS vs. USPX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTCS (First Trust Capital Strength ETF) and USPX (Franklin U.S. Equity Index ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - FTCS tracks the The Capital Strength Index while USPX tracks the Morningstar US Target Market Exposure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FTCS returned 5.40%/yr vs 12.39%/yr for USPX. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FTCS charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for USPX.

Performance

FTCS vs. USPX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTCS achieves a 0.01% return, which is significantly lower than USPX's 10.64% return.

FTCS

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: -0.79%
• YTD: 0.01%
• 6M: 0.21%
• 1Y: 2.29%
• 3Y*: 9.49%
• 5Y*: 5.40%
• 10Y*: 10.16%

USPX

• 1D: -0.75%
• 1M: 5.12%
• YTD: 10.64%
• 6M: 10.50%
• 1Y: 27.42%
• 3Y*: 22.42%
• 5Y*: 12.39%
• 10Y*: —

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

FTCS vs. USPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTCS First Trust Capital Strength ETF	0.01%	6.46%	11.19%	8.48%	-10.22%	26.75%	13.05%	26.71%	-4.22%	26.57%
USPX Franklin U.S. Equity Index ETF	10.64%	17.78%	24.97%	27.07%	-18.88%	19.53%	9.72%	26.60%	-7.78%	23.80%

Correlation

The correlation between FTCS and USPX is 0.50, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 6, 2016	0.72

Over the past year, the correlation between FTCS and USPX has dropped to 0.50 - well below their long-term average of 0.72, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FTCS vs. USPX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTCS	USPX
Financial Services	20.4%	11.8%
Industrials	19.6%	8.4%
Healthcare	19.1%	8.6%
Consumer Defensive	14.3%	4.8%
Technology	12.3%	35.4%
Consumer Cyclical	7.7%	10.1%
Communication Services	2.3%	11.5%
Energy	2.2%	3.6%
Basic Materials	2.1%	1.7%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Utilities	-	2.3%

Return for Risk

FTCS vs. USPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTCS

FTCS Risk / Return Rank: 12
FTCS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
FTCS Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
FTCS Omega Ratio Rank: 11
FTCS Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
FTCS Martin Ratio Rank: 12

USPX

USPX Risk / Return Rank: 68
USPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
USPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
USPX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
USPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
USPX 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. USPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) and Franklin U.S. Equity Index ETF (USPX). 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.

	FTCS	USPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.23	2.28	-2.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.42	3.12	-2.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.41	-0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.30	3.01	-2.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.73	13.72	-12.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTCS vs. USPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTCS Sharpe Ratio is 0.23, which is lower than the USPX Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTCS and USPX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FTCS	USPX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23	2.28	-2.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.77	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.80	-0.30

Drawdowns

FTCS vs. USPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTCS drawdown since its inception was -53.64%, which is greater than USPX's maximum drawdown of -31.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTCS and USPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTCS	USPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.64%	-31.21%	-22.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.74%	-9.15%	+1.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.62%	-19.21%	+6.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.93%	-24.60%	+3.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.93%	-31.21%	-0.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.95%	-0.75%	-6.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.92%	-4.44%	-2.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.14%	2.00%	+1.14%

Volatility

FTCS vs. USPX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is 2.64%, while Franklin U.S. Equity Index ETF (USPX) has a volatility of 2.87%. This indicates that FTCS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than USPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTCS	USPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.64%	2.87%	-0.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.99%	9.16%	-2.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.82%	12.09%	-2.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.13%	16.17%	-3.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.54%	15.92%	-0.38%

FTCS vs. USPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

FTCS vs. USPX - Dividend Comparison

FTCS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.12%, more than USPX's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
USPX Franklin U.S. Equity Index ETF	1.04%	1.07%	1.23%	1.35%	2.21%	2.40%	2.51%	3.07%	2.91%	2.60%	4.89%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTCS and USPX in my portfolio?

FTCS and USPX have a correlation of 0.50, 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 USPX?

USPX has higher volatility (2.87%) compared to FTCS (2.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTCS dropped -53.64% vs USPX's -31.21%.

Which ETF is better, FTCS or USPX?

On 5-year performance, USPX leads with 12.39% vs 5.40% for FTCS. On fees, USPX is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, FTCS has been the lower-risk option at 2.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTCS or USPX?

Over the 5-year period, USPX has performed better with a 12.39% return vs 5.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTCS or USPX?

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

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

FTCS has the higher dividend yield at 1.12%, compared with 1.04% for USPX.

What is the main difference between FTCS and USPX?

FTCS tracks The Capital Strength Index, while USPX tracks Morningstar US Target Market Exposure Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Franklin Templeton. Their fees differ too: 0.53% for FTCS and 0.03% for USPX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 0.23), 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.