A side-by-side comparison of iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) 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 | ESGU | FTCS |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +3.71%✓ | +0.88% |
| 1-Day Change | +0.30%✓ | +0.02% |
| 1-Week Change | -0.35%✓ | -1.05% |
| 1-Month Change | +0.44%✓ | -6.06% |
| Current Price | $167.30 | $93.87 |
| AUM | $18.13B✓ | $7.51B |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.15%✓ | 0.55% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.91% | 1.06%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | NA | NA |
| Inception Date | 2016-12-01 | 2006-07-06 |
| Holdings Count | 268 | 50 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★ | ★ |
| Category | Large Blend | Large Blend |
| Beta | 1.03 | 0.52 |
| 52-Week High | $170.46 | $102.57 |
| 52-Week Low | $136.22 | $88.67 |
| 50-Day MA | $166.99 | $98.85 |
| 200-Day MA | $157.02 | $95.74 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ESGU | FTCS |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +3.71%✓ | +0.88% |
| 1 Year | +18.46%✓ | +4.86% |
| 3 Year | +22.49%✓ | +9.85% |
| 5 Year | +12.03%✓ | +5.55% |
| 10 Year | — | +10.41% |
| 1Y Volatility | 13.52% | 10.67% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.14 | 0.62 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | NVDA | NVIDIA Corporation | 7.95% |
| 2 | AAPL | Apple Inc. | 7.22% |
| 3 | MSFT | Microsoft Corporation | 5.50% |
| 4 | AMZN | Amazon.com Inc | 3.54% |
| 5 | GOOG | Alphabet Inc Class C | 3.46% |
| 6 | AVGO | Broadcom Inc | 2.46% |
| 7 | META | Meta Platforms Inc. | 2.26% |
| 8 | GOOGL | Alphabet Inc Class A | 1.91% |
| 9 | MU | Micron Technology Inc | 1.78% |
| 10 | AMD | Advanced Micro Devices Inc | 1.53% |
| 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 | ESGU | FTCS |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 1.79% | 1.86% |
| Communication Services | 9.41% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 8.19% | 7.68% |
| Consumer Defensive | 4.01% | 15.53% |
| Energy | 3.65% | 4.14% |
| Financial Services | 11.49% | 27.19% |
| Healthcare | 9.84% | 15.30% |
| Industrials | 7.61% | 19.90% |
| Real Estate | 2.03% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 40.34% | 8.39% |
| Utilities | 1.64% | 0.00% |
About ESGU
The fund generally will invest at least 90% of its assets in the component securities of the underlying index and may invest up to 10% of its assets in certain futures, options and swap contracts, cash and cash equivalents. The underlying index is an optimized equity index designed to reflect the equity performance of U.S. companies that have favorable environmental, social and governance (ESG) characteristics, while exhibiting risk and return characteristics similar to those of the MSCI USA Ind…
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 ESGU 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, ESGU 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 ESGU and FTCS?
ESGU (iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF) and FTCS (First Trust Capital Strength ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($18.13B vs $7.51B), dividend yield (0.91% vs 1.06%), and year-to-date performance (+3.71% vs +0.88%).
Is ESGU better than FTCS?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, ESGU has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy ESGU and FTCS on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ESGU and FTCS should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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