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First Trust Dividend Strength ETF(FTDS)
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)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for FTDS
11/13/2026: FTDS (3-star) is a STRONG-BUY. BUY for 17 days. Simulated Profits (0.61%). Updated daily EoD!
The First Trust Dividend Strength ETF (FTDS) is an actively managed fund that focuses on identifying US companies with sustainable and strong dividend prospects through a quantitative model. By prioritizing financial quality over simple yield, it offers a defensive and balanced approach to equity investing, aiming for both income and long-term growth. While it offers a distinct quality-first selection process, it carries a higher expense ratio than passive dividend-growth index funds, which remain its primary competition. It is best suited for long-term income-oriented investors who value active risk management and quality factors, though investors should monitor sector concentration and the fund's performance against cheaper passive alternatives.
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 not a pure growth play, the dividend-growth focus can contribute to total returns in the long term. |
| Momentum investor | Weak fit | This fund is built on fundamental dividend metrics rather than short-term price momentum signals. |
| Value investor | Strong fit | The focus on financial strength and sustainable cash flows aligns well with core value investing principles. |
| Dividend/Income investor | Strong fit | This is an ideal core holding for investors seeking reliable and growing income streams. |
| Low-risk investor | Strong fit | The emphasis on quality and dividend strength typically results in lower volatility compared to the broader market. |
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
The ideal investor is a long-term, risk-conscious individual looking to build a core portfolio around quality dividend-paying equities.
Suitability
Best suited for long-term investors seeking income and modest capital appreciation rather than active short-term traders.
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility | Medium | Dividend stocks generally exhibit lower beta than the broader market, though they are not immune to market corrections. |
| Market risk | Medium | General equity market movements remain the primary driver of the fund's total return. |
| Concentration | Medium | The sector-specific focus of the model may result in periodic over or under-weighting compared to a broad index. |
| Tracking/expense | Medium | The higher expense ratio compared to passive peers necessitates stronger active management performance to justify the cost. |
| Liquidity | Low | The underlying securities are generally large-cap and highly liquid, minimizing execution risk. |
| Business/sector quality | Low | The fund specifically targets high-quality businesses, which reduces the risk of owning companies with failing business models. |
Sector & Industry Intelligence
This fund is not assigned to one sector.
Risk Analysis
Volatility
FTDS historically exhibits volatility levels comparable to other dividend-growth ETFs, typically tracking lower than the S&P 500.
Market Risk
The primary risk is equity market decline, particularly in sectors that are dividend-sensitive like Utilities or Consumer Staples.
What the ETF Owns
| Exposure Type | Exposure | Weight (%) | Retail Investor Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market capitalization | Large-Cap Equities | 70 | The majority of the fund is invested in large, established companies with a history of dividend payments. |
| Market capitalization | Mid-Cap Equities | 20 | Mid-cap exposure provides potential for dividend growth and capital appreciation beyond the largest firms. |
| Market capitalization | Small-Cap Equities | 8 | A small allocation to high-quality smaller companies adds diversification and growth potential. |
| Cash/collateral | Cash and Cash Equivalents | 2 | A minor cash position is maintained for liquidity and operational management. |
Price Behavior
Strong Uptrend
The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.
Very Smooth
The stock has followed a highly orderly price path with minimal short-term disruption.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit 22.86% | Avg. Invested days 50 | Today’s Advisory Strong Buy |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  4.0 | ETF Returns Performance  4.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 11/13/2026 |
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