A side-by-side comparison of First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) and WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund (DGRW) 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 | FTCS | DGRW |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +0.88% | +2.45%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | +0.02% | +0.19%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -1.05% | -0.71%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -6.06% | -1.06%✓ |
| Current Price | $93.87 | $97.42 |
| AUM | $7.51B | $17.06B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.55% | 0.28%✓ |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 1.21%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | NA | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2006-07-06 | 2013-05-22 |
| Holdings Count | 50 | 50 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★ | ★★★ |
| Category | Large Blend | Large Blend |
| Beta | 0.52 | 0.82 |
| 52-Week High | $102.57 | $100.36 |
| 52-Week Low | $88.67 | $84.85 |
| 50-Day MA | $98.85 | $98.40 |
| 200-Day MA | $95.74 | $94.16 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | FTCS | DGRW |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +0.88% | +2.45%✓ |
| 1 Year | +4.86% | +12.99%✓ |
| 3 Year | +9.85% | +17.04%✓ |
| 5 Year | +5.55% | +12.11%✓ |
| 10 Year | +10.41% | +14.00%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 10.67% | 10.28% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.62 | 0.95 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 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% |
| 1 | NVDA | NVIDIA Corporation | 8.83% |
| 2 | MSFT | Microsoft Corporation | 7.67% |
| 3 | AAPL | Apple Inc. | 4.31% |
| 4 | META | Meta Platforms Inc. | 3.81% |
| 5 | KO | The Coca-Cola Company | 3.01% |
| 6 | UNH | UnitedHealth Group Incorporated | 2.58% |
| 7 | JNJ | Johnson & Johnson | 2.41% |
| 8 | HD | The Home Depot Inc | 2.24% |
| 9 | GOOG | Alphabet Inc Class C | 2.16% |
| 10 | GOOGL | Alphabet Inc Class A | 2.16% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | FTCS | DGRW |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 1.86% | 2.98% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 11.87% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 7.68% | 6.78% |
| Consumer Defensive | 15.53% | 6.60% |
| Energy | 4.14% | 5.02% |
| Financial Services | 27.19% | 8.45% |
| Healthcare | 15.30% | 12.99% |
| Industrials | 19.90% | 10.34% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 8.39% | 34.79% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 0.18% |
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.
About DGRW
The fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in constituents of the index and/or investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially similar to the economic characteristics of such constituents. The index is based on a rules-based methodology overseen and implemented by the WisdomTree U.S. Dividend Index Committee. It is non-diversified.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both FTCS and DGRW 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, DGRW 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 FTCS and DGRW?
FTCS (First Trust Capital Strength ETF) and DGRW (WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($7.51B vs $17.06B), dividend yield (1.06% vs 1.21%), and year-to-date performance (+0.88% vs +2.45%).
Is FTCS better than DGRW?
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 FTCS and DGRW on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both FTCS and DGRW should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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