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First Trust Capital Strength ETF(FTCS)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for FTCS
11/06/2026: FTCS (2-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) provides exposure to large-cap US companies identified by their strong balance sheets, high cash flow, and financial discipline. By tracking the Nasdaq US Capital Strength Index, the fund offers a defensive, factor-based alternative to traditional market-cap-weighted indices, emphasizing quality over pure growth. Its primary strengths include a transparent, rules-based strategy and exposure to stable, industry-leading firms. While it carries a moderate expense ratio compared to lower-cost index funds, it serves as a robust core equity holding for investors seeking to reduce financial risk. It is best suited for long-term investors who prioritize business quality and capital preservation, and those interested should monitor sector weightings and potential shifts in corporate tax or interest rate policies.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
ETF holdings, costs, diversification, valuation, risks, and market conditions provide supporting context about the fund.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Mixed fit | While it captures growth, it prioritizes defensive balance sheet metrics over aggressive growth-at-any-price. |
| Momentum investor | Mixed fit | Momentum investors may find the quality-tilted rebalancing too slow to capitalize on short-term market trends. |
| Value investor | Strong fit | The focus on cash-rich, low-debt companies aligns well with core value principles of financial discipline. |
| Dividend/Income investor | Mixed fit | While the holdings are financially stable, the primary focus is capital strength rather than high dividend yield. |
| Low-risk investor | Strong fit | The focus on high-quality balance sheets makes this an attractive option for those seeking reduced financial risk. |
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
The ideal investor is one seeking long-term capital growth with a focus on risk mitigation through financial quality.
Suitability
FTCS is best suited for long-term investors looking for a core holding that emphasizes corporate financial health.
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility | Medium | The fund is generally less volatile than the broader market due to the quality bias of its holdings. |
| Market risk | Medium / high | As an equity-based fund, it remains fully exposed to systemic market corrections and economic downturns. |
| Concentration | Medium | The index methodology may lead to overweighting in certain sectors where capital-strong companies are prevalent. |
| Tracking/expense | Low | The fund maintains low tracking error and a transparent fee structure relative to its strategy. |
| Liquidity | Low | The fund invests in highly liquid large-cap stocks, ensuring ease of trading for investors. |
| Business/sector quality | Low / none | The strategy specifically selects companies with superior business quality, which acts as a mitigating factor. |
Risk Analysis
Volatility
FTCS exhibits moderate volatility, generally in line with its large-cap core, though typically lower than high-beta indices.
Market Risk
The fund is susceptible to standard market risks associated with US equity securities, particularly during systemic economic downturns.
What the ETF Owns
| Exposure Type | Exposure | Weight (%) | Retail Investor Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market capitalization | Large-Cap US Equities | 98.5 | The portfolio focuses on large-cap, financially robust US companies that meet strict liquidity and quality screens. |
| Cash/collateral | Cash and Cash Equivalents | 1.5 | A small portion of the fund is held in cash to manage liquidity and daily rebalancing needs. |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit 8.69% | Avg. Invested days 59 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Advisory Rating ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance | ETF Returns Performance |

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