A side-by-side comparison of BlackRock Large Cap Core ETF (BLCR) and First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | BLCR | FTCS |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -0.09% | +0.88%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | +0.86%✓ | +0.02% |
| 1-Week Change | -0.16%✓ | -1.05% |
| 1-Month Change | +1.18%✓ | -6.06% |
| Current Price | $49.38 | $93.87 |
| AUM | $9.15B✓ | $7.51B |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.36%✓ | 0.55% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.29% | 1.06%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | — | NA |
| Inception Date | 2023-10-24 | 2006-07-06 |
| Holdings Count | 49 | 50 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | ★ |
| Category | Large Blend | Large Blend |
| Beta | 0.00 | 0.52 |
| 52-Week High | $50.95 | $102.57 |
| 52-Week Low | $38.73 | $88.67 |
| 50-Day MA | $49.30 | $98.85 |
| 200-Day MA | $46.53 | $95.74 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | BLCR | FTCS |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -0.09% | +0.88%✓ |
| 1 Year | +26.67%✓ | +4.86% |
| 3 Year | — | +9.85% |
| 5 Year | — | +5.55% |
| 10 Year | — | +10.41% |
| 1Y Volatility | 18.66% | 10.67% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | — | 0.62 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | NVDA | NVIDIA Corporation | 7.31% |
| 2 | MSFT | Microsoft Corporation | 6.47% |
| 3 | AMZN | Amazon.com Inc | 5.69% |
| 4 | META | Meta Platforms Inc. | 5.17% |
| 5 | GOOGL | Alphabet Inc Class A | 5.07% |
| 6 | AAPL | Apple Inc. | 4.68% |
| 7 | V | Visa Inc. Class A | 4.35% |
| 8 | MU | Micron Technology Inc | 3.49% |
| 9 | CAH | Cardinal Health Inc | 3.43% |
| 10 | WCC | WESCO International Inc | 2.99% |
| 1 | MRK | Merck & Company Inc | 2.39% |
| 2 | GRMN | Garmin Ltd | 2.37% |
| 3 | AMGN | Amgen Inc | 2.36% |
| 4 | GILD | Gilead Sciences Inc | 2.30% |
| 5 | RMD | ResMed Inc | 2.28% |
| 6 | VRTX | Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc | 2.21% |
| 7 | ABNB | Airbnb Inc | 2.19% |
| 8 | CME | CME Group Inc | 2.19% |
| 9 | KO | The Coca-Cola Company | 2.17% |
| 10 | JNJ | Johnson & Johnson | 2.16% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | BLCR | FTCS |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 3.85% | 1.86% |
| Communication Services | 10.84% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 9.24% | 7.68% |
| Consumer Defensive | 2.74% | 15.53% |
| Energy | 3.27% | 4.14% |
| Financial Services | 9.67% | 27.19% |
| Healthcare | 9.11% | 15.30% |
| Industrials | 12.49% | 19.90% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 37.60% | 8.39% |
| Utilities | 1.18% | 0.00% |
About BLCR
Under normal circumstances, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in large cap equity securities and derivatives that have similar economic characteristics to such securities. The fund primarily seeks to buy common stock and may also invest in preferred stock. The fund is non-diversified.
About FTCS
The fund will normally invest at least 90% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in the securities that comprise the index. The index seeks to provide exposure to well-capitalized companies with strong market positions that have the potential to provide their stockholders with a greater degree of stability and performance over time.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both BLCR and FTCS are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, FTCS scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between BLCR and FTCS?
BLCR (BlackRock Large Cap Core ETF) and FTCS (First Trust Capital Strength ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($9.15B vs $7.51B), dividend yield (0.29% vs 1.06%), and year-to-date performance (-0.09% vs +0.88%).
Is BLCR better than FTCS?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise dividends, compare both yields and choose based on your income needs. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy BLCR and FTCS on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both BLCR and FTCS should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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