LFEQ vs. FTCS

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

LFEQ (VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF) and FTCS (First Trust Capital Strength ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LFEQ is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Ned Davis Research CMG US Large Cap Long/Flat Index - USD, while FTCS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the The Capital Strength Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, LFEQ returned 9.18%/yr vs 5.84%/yr for FTCS. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LFEQ charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.53%/yr for FTCS.

Performance

LFEQ vs. FTCS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF (LFEQ) 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, LFEQ achieves a 7.96% return, which is significantly higher than FTCS's 1.20% return.

LFEQ

• 1D: -1.29%
• 1M: -1.28%
• YTD: 7.96%
• 6M: 7.08%
• 1Y: 22.91%
• 3Y*: 16.77%
• 5Y*: 9.18%
• 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)

LFEQ vs. FTCS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LFEQ VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF	7.96%	10.49%	24.30%	19.66%	-22.05%	27.97%	17.56%	24.07%	-5.55%	5.48%
FTCS First Trust Capital Strength ETF	1.20%	6.46%	11.19%	8.48%	-10.22%	26.75%	13.05%	26.71%	-4.22%	6.90%

Correlation

The correlation between LFEQ and FTCS is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 5, 2017	0.74

Over the past year, the correlation between LFEQ and FTCS has dropped to 0.44 - well below their long-term average of 0.74, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

LFEQ vs. FTCS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LFEQ	FTCS
Technology	35.7%	13.6%
Financial Services	11.6%	20.0%
Communication Services	11.3%	2.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	7.7%
Healthcare	8.5%	18.5%
Industrials	8.3%	19.6%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	14.2%
Energy	3.5%	2.1%
Utilities	2.4%	-
Real Estate	1.9%	-
Basic Materials	1.8%	2.1%

Return for Risk

LFEQ vs. FTCS — Risk / Return Rank

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

LFEQ

LFEQ Risk / Return Rank: 60
LFEQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
LFEQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
LFEQ Omega Ratio Rank: 58
LFEQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
LFEQ Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

LFEQ vs. FTCS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF (LFEQ) 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.

	LFEQ	FTCS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.84	0.51	+1.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.53	0.81	+1.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.09	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.56	0.65	+1.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.38	1.49	+9.89

LFEQ vs. FTCS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LFEQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.84, which is higher than the FTCS Sharpe Ratio of 0.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LFEQ 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

LFEQ vs. FTCS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LFEQ drawdown since its inception was -35.19%, smaller than the maximum FTCS drawdown of -53.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LFEQ and FTCS.

Drawdown Indicators

	LFEQ	FTCS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.19%	-53.64%	+18.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.98%	-7.74%	-1.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.97%	-12.62%	-6.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.55%	-20.93%	-4.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-31.93%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.00%	-5.85%	+2.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.13%	-6.92%	+0.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.02%	3.36%	-1.34%

Volatility

LFEQ vs. FTCS - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF (LFEQ) has a higher volatility of 4.60% compared to First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) at 3.07%. This indicates that LFEQ'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

	LFEQ	FTCS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.60%	3.07%	+1.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.88%	7.25%	+2.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.54%	9.95%	+2.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.46%	13.14%	+1.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.59%	15.53%	+2.06%

LFEQ vs. FTCS - Expense Ratio Comparison

LFEQ has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than FTCS's 0.53% expense ratio.

Dividends

LFEQ vs. FTCS - Dividend Comparison

LFEQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.84%, 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%
LFEQ VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF	0.84%	0.90%	0.74%	1.56%	1.19%	0.37%	2.06%	1.45%	1.07%	0.79%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LFEQ and FTCS in my portfolio?

LFEQ and FTCS have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LFEQ or FTCS?

LFEQ has higher volatility (4.60%) compared to FTCS (3.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LFEQ dropped -35.19% vs FTCS's -53.64%.

Which ETF is better, LFEQ or FTCS?

On 5-year performance, LFEQ leads with 9.18% vs 5.84% for FTCS. On fees, FTCS is cheaper at 0.53% 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, LFEQ or FTCS?

Over the 5-year period, LFEQ has performed better with a 9.18% return vs 5.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LFEQ or FTCS?

FTCS is cheaper with a 0.53% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for LFEQ.

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

FTCS has the higher dividend yield at 1.11%, compared with 0.84% for LFEQ.

What is the main difference between LFEQ and FTCS?

LFEQ is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while FTCS is Large Cap Blend Equities. LFEQ tracks Ned Davis Research CMG US Large Cap Long/Flat Index - USD, while FTCS tracks The Capital Strength Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for LFEQ and 0.53% for FTCS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LFEQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.84 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.