IQSU vs. FTCS

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IQSU (IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF) and FTCS (First Trust Capital Strength ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IQSU is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the IQ Candriam ESG US Equity Index, while FTCS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the The Capital Strength Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IQSU returned 12.19%/yr vs 5.84%/yr for FTCS. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IQSU charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.53%/yr for FTCS.

Performance

IQSU vs. FTCS - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IQSU achieves a 11.76% return, which is significantly higher than FTCS's 1.20% return.

IQSU

• 1D: -1.70%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 11.76%
• 6M: 10.69%
• 1Y: 26.97%
• 3Y*: 18.48%
• 5Y*: 12.19%
• 10Y*: —

FTCS

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: -1.25%
• YTD: 1.20%
• 6M: 0.40%
• 1Y: 5.00%
• 3Y*: 9.52%
• 5Y*: 5.84%
• 10Y*: 10.48%

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

IQSU vs. FTCS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
IQSU IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF	11.76%	14.44%	16.64%	32.96%	-22.10%	30.53%	28.24%	0.98%
FTCS First Trust Capital Strength ETF	1.20%	6.46%	11.19%	8.48%	-10.22%	26.75%	13.05%	0.70%

Correlation

The correlation between IQSU and FTCS is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 17, 2019	0.75

Over the past year, the correlation between IQSU and FTCS has dropped to 0.51 - well below their long-term average of 0.75, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

IQSU vs. FTCS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IQSU	FTCS
Technology	39.5%	13.6%
Consumer Cyclical	13.8%	7.7%
Communication Services	13.1%	2.3%
Financial Services	10.8%	20.0%
Industrials	5.9%	19.6%
Healthcare	5.1%	18.5%
Consumer Defensive	3.4%	14.2%
Basic Materials	2.6%	2.1%
Real Estate	2.5%	-
Utilities	2.0%	-
Energy	1.2%	2.1%

Return for Risk

IQSU vs. FTCS — Risk / Return Rank

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

IQSU

IQSU Risk / Return Rank: 58
IQSU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
IQSU Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
IQSU Omega Ratio Rank: 59
IQSU Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
IQSU Martin Ratio Rank: 59

FTCS

FTCS Risk / Return Rank: 16
FTCS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
FTCS Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
FTCS Omega Ratio Rank: 15
FTCS Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
FTCS Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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.

IQSU vs. FTCS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF (IQSU) and First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS). 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.

	IQSU	FTCS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	0.51	+1.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	0.81	+1.73
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.09	+0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.42	0.65	+1.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.76	1.49	+8.27

IQSU vs. FTCS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQSU Sharpe Ratio is 1.86, which is higher than the FTCS Sharpe Ratio of 0.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQSU and FTCS, 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

IQSU vs. FTCS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQSU drawdown since its inception was -31.29%, smaller than the maximum FTCS drawdown of -53.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQSU and FTCS.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQSU	FTCS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.29%	-53.64%	+22.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.18%	-7.74%	-3.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.96%	-12.62%	-8.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.76%	-20.93%	-5.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-31.93%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.20%	-5.85%	+3.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.95%	-6.92%	+0.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.77%	3.36%	-0.59%

Volatility

IQSU vs. FTCS - Volatility Comparison

IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF (IQSU) has a higher volatility of 5.59% compared to First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) at 3.07%. This indicates that IQSU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTCS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IQSU	FTCS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.59%	3.07%	+2.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.97%	7.25%	+3.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.58%	9.95%	+4.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.02%	13.14%	+4.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.69%	15.53%	+5.16%

IQSU vs. FTCS - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQSU has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than FTCS's 0.53% expense ratio.

Dividends

IQSU vs. FTCS - Dividend Comparison

IQSU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, less than FTCS's 1.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTCS First Trust Capital Strength ETF	1.11%	1.04%	1.33%	1.47%	1.23%	1.06%	0.93%	1.26%	1.26%	1.15%	1.43%	1.50%
IQSU IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF	1.00%	1.09%	1.12%	1.15%	1.47%	1.07%	0.98%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IQSU and FTCS in my portfolio?

IQSU and FTCS have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IQSU or FTCS?

IQSU has higher volatility (5.59%) compared to FTCS (3.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQSU dropped -31.29% vs FTCS's -53.64%.

Which ETF is better, IQSU or FTCS?

On 5-year performance, IQSU leads with 12.19% vs 5.84% for FTCS. On fees, IQSU is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, FTCS has been the lower-risk option at 3.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IQSU or FTCS?

Over the 5-year period, IQSU has performed better with a 12.19% return vs 5.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQSU or FTCS?

IQSU is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.53% for FTCS.

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

FTCS has the higher dividend yield at 1.11%, compared with 1.00% for IQSU.

What is the main difference between IQSU and FTCS?

IQSU is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while FTCS is Large Cap Blend Equities. IQSU tracks IQ Candriam ESG US Equity Index, while FTCS tracks The Capital Strength Index. They also come from different issuers: New York Life and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for IQSU and 0.53% for FTCS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IQSU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 0.51), 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.