FTDS vs. CPAI

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FTDS (First Trust Dividend Strength ETF) and CPAI (Counterpoint Quantitative Equity ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. FTDS is passively managed, while CPAI is actively managed. Over the past year, FTDS returned 24.87% vs 44.76% for CPAI. Their 0.51 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FTDS charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for CPAI.

Performance

FTDS vs. CPAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dividend Strength ETF (FTDS) and Counterpoint Quantitative Equity ETF (CPAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTDS achieves a 15.08% return, which is significantly lower than CPAI's 26.13% return.

FTDS

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 4.00%
• 6M: 8.67%
• YTD: 15.08%
• 1Y: 24.87%
• 3Y*: 15.10%
• 5Y*: 8.13%
• 10Y*: 11.18%
• ALL TIME*: 6.70%

CPAI

• 1D: -0.55%
• 1M: -0.84%
• 6M: 17.38%
• YTD: 26.13%
• 1Y: 44.76%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 30.02%

*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)
CPAI Counterpoint Quantitative Equity ETF	$4.18M	$3.24M	$3.18M
FTDS First Trust Dividend Strength ETF	$146.70K	$150.71K	$191.32K

FTDS vs. CPAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
FTDS First Trust Dividend Strength ETF	15.08%	13.64%	11.12%	8.29%
CPAI Counterpoint Quantitative Equity ETF	26.13%	17.79%	28.37%	5.67%

Correlation

The correlation between FTDS and CPAI is 0.30, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 29, 2023	0.51

Over the past year, the correlation between FTDS and CPAI has dropped to 0.30 - well below their long-term average of 0.51, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FTDS vs. CPAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTDS	CPAI
Financial Services	30.2%	1.9%
Industrials	20.6%	8.1%
Energy	17.6%	12.0%
Healthcare	9.6%	28.0%
Technology	8.6%	34.1%
Basic Materials	8.3%	3.9%
Consumer Cyclical	3.3%	3.9%
Consumer Defensive	1.9%	4.1%
Communication Services	-	4.0%
Real Estate	-	2.0%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FTDS vs. CPAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTDS

FTDS Risk / Return Rank: 81
FTDS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
FTDS Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
FTDS Omega Ratio Rank: 78
FTDS Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
FTDS Martin Ratio Rank: 75

CPAI

CPAI Risk / Return Rank: 88
CPAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
CPAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
CPAI Omega Ratio Rank: 85
CPAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
CPAI Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

FTDS vs. CPAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dividend Strength ETF (FTDS) and Counterpoint Quantitative Equity ETF (CPAI). 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.

	FTDS	CPAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	2.19	-0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.76	2.88	-0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.37	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.61	4.10	-0.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.38	14.90	-5.52

FTDS vs. CPAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTDS Sharpe Ratio is 1.86, which is comparable to the CPAI Sharpe Ratio of 2.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTDS and CPAI, 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

FTDS vs. CPAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTDS drawdown since its inception was -56.53%, which is greater than CPAI's maximum drawdown of -21.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTDS and CPAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTDS	CPAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.53%	-21.46%	-35.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.57%	-10.48%	+3.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.04%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.35%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.47%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.74%	-2.82%	+2.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.81%	-2.96%	-6.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.53%	2.88%	-0.35%

Volatility

FTDS vs. CPAI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Dividend Strength ETF (FTDS) is 3.55%, while Counterpoint Quantitative Equity ETF (CPAI) has a volatility of 5.82%. This indicates that FTDS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CPAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTDS	CPAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.55%	5.82%	-2.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.28%	16.27%	-7.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.81%	19.63%	-6.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.52%	19.43%	-1.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.05%	19.43%	+0.62%

FTDS vs. CPAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTDS has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is lower than CPAI's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTDS vs. CPAI - Dividend Comparison

FTDS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.53%, more than CPAI's 0.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CPAI Counterpoint Quantitative Equity ETF	0.71%	0.89%	0.41%	0.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FTDS First Trust Dividend Strength ETF	1.53%	1.59%	2.05%	2.15%	2.31%	0.72%	0.99%	1.13%	1.14%	0.79%	1.24%	0.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTDS and CPAI in my portfolio?

FTDS and CPAI have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTDS or CPAI?

CPAI has higher volatility (5.82%) compared to FTDS (3.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTDS dropped -56.53% vs CPAI's -21.46%.

Which ETF is better, FTDS or CPAI?

On 1-year performance, CPAI leads with 44.76% vs 24.87% for FTDS. On fees, FTDS is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, FTDS has been the lower-risk option at 3.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTDS or CPAI?

Over the 1-year period, CPAI has performed better with a 44.76% return vs 24.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTDS or CPAI?

FTDS is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for CPAI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTDS or CPAI?

FTDS has the higher dividend yield at 1.53%, compared with 0.71% for CPAI.

What is the main difference between FTDS and CPAI?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Counterpoint. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for FTDS and 0.75% for CPAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CPAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 1.86), 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.