IWLG vs. FTCS

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IWLG (NYLI Winslow Large Cap Growth ETF) and FTCS (First Trust Capital Strength ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IWLG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by NYLI, while FTCS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the The Capital Strength Index. IWLG is actively managed, while FTCS is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IWLG returned 23.30%/yr vs 9.89%/yr for FTCS. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IWLG charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.53%/yr for FTCS.

Performance

IWLG vs. FTCS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in NYLI Winslow Large Cap Growth ETF (IWLG) 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, IWLG achieves a 5.65% return, which is significantly higher than FTCS's 1.19% return.

IWLG

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 5.14%
• YTD: 5.65%
• 6M: 4.68%
• 1Y: 16.46%
• 3Y*: 23.30%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FTCS

• 1D: 1.18%
• 1M: -0.11%
• YTD: 1.19%
• 6M: 1.51%
• 1Y: 3.88%
• 3Y*: 9.89%
• 5Y*: 5.65%
• 10Y*: 10.24%

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

IWLG vs. FTCS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
IWLG NYLI Winslow Large Cap Growth ETF	5.65%	14.73%	31.47%	43.25%	-0.01%
FTCS First Trust Capital Strength ETF	1.19%	6.46%	11.19%	8.48%	8.68%

Correlation

The correlation between IWLG and FTCS is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 24, 2022	0.51

Over the past year, the correlation between IWLG and FTCS has dropped to 0.23 - well below their long-term average of 0.51, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

IWLG vs. FTCS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IWLG	FTCS
Technology	50.2%	12.3%
Communication Services	16.2%	2.3%
Industrials	11.4%	19.6%
Consumer Cyclical	9.2%	7.7%
Healthcare	5.6%	19.1%
Financial Services	4.5%	20.4%
Consumer Defensive	1.8%	14.3%
Utilities	1.1%	-
Basic Materials	1.1%	2.1%
Energy	-	2.2%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

IWLG vs. FTCS — Risk / Return Rank

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

IWLG

IWLG Risk / Return Rank: 25
IWLG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
IWLG Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
IWLG Omega Ratio Rank: 27
IWLG Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
IWLG Martin Ratio Rank: 22

FTCS

FTCS Risk / Return Rank: 15
FTCS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
FTCS Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
FTCS Omega Ratio Rank: 14
FTCS Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
FTCS Martin Ratio Rank: 15

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.

IWLG vs. FTCS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NYLI Winslow Large Cap Growth ETF (IWLG) 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.

	IWLG	FTCS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.01	0.39	+0.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.46	0.65	+0.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.07	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.85	0.50	+0.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.59	1.23	+1.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IWLG vs. FTCS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWLG Sharpe Ratio is 1.01, which is higher than the FTCS Sharpe Ratio of 0.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWLG 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IWLG	FTCS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.01	0.39	+0.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.43	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.66	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.12	0.50	+0.61

Drawdowns

IWLG vs. FTCS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWLG drawdown since its inception was -23.19%, smaller than the maximum FTCS drawdown of -53.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWLG and FTCS.

Drawdown Indicators

	IWLG	FTCS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.19%	-53.64%	+30.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.45%	-7.74%	-11.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.19%	-12.62%	-10.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.93%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-31.93%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.34%	-5.85%	+4.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.57%	-6.92%	+2.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.38%	3.16%	+3.22%

Volatility

IWLG vs. FTCS - Volatility Comparison

NYLI Winslow Large Cap Growth ETF (IWLG) has a higher volatility of 4.47% compared to First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) at 2.86%. This indicates that IWLG'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

	IWLG	FTCS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.47%	2.86%	+1.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.37%	7.08%	+5.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.31%	9.88%	+6.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.95%	13.13%	+7.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.95%	15.54%	+5.41%

IWLG vs. FTCS - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWLG has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than FTCS's 0.53% expense ratio.

Dividends

IWLG vs. FTCS - Dividend Comparison

IWLG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FTCS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.11%.

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%
IWLG NYLI Winslow Large Cap Growth ETF	0.00%	0.00%	1.34%	0.01%	0.05%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IWLG and FTCS in my portfolio?

IWLG and FTCS have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IWLG or FTCS?

IWLG has higher volatility (4.47%) compared to FTCS (2.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWLG dropped -23.19% vs FTCS's -53.64%.

Which ETF is better, IWLG or FTCS?

On 3-year performance, IWLG leads with 23.30% vs 9.89% for FTCS. On fees, IWLG is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, FTCS has been the lower-risk option at 2.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IWLG or FTCS?

Over the 3-year period, IWLG has performed better with a 23.30% return vs 9.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IWLG or FTCS?

IWLG is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.53% for FTCS.

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

FTCS has the higher dividend yield at 1.11%, compared with 0.00% for IWLG.

What is the main difference between IWLG and FTCS?

IWLG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while FTCS is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: NYLI and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for IWLG and 0.53% for FTCS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWLG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.01 vs 0.39), 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.