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Is First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF (FICS) a Strong ETF Right Now?
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Launched on 12/15/2020, the First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF (FICS - Free Report) is a smart beta exchange traded fund offering broad exposure to the Foreign Large Growth ETF category of the market.
What Are Smart Beta ETFs?
The ETF industry has traditionally been dominated by products based on market capitalization weighted indexes that are designed to represent the market or a particular segment of the market.
Market cap weighted indexes offer a low-cost, convenient, and transparent way of replicating market returns, and are a good option for investors who believe in market efficiency.
But, there are some investors who would rather invest in smart beta funds; these funds track non-cap weighted strategies, and are a strong option for those who prefer choosing great stocks in order to beat the market.
Based on specific fundamental characteristics, or a combination of such, these indexes attempt to pick stocks that have a better chance of risk-return performance.
This area offers many different investment choices, such as simplest equal-weighting, fundamental weighting and volatility/momentum based weighting methodologies; however, not all of these strategies can deliver superior results.
Fund Sponsor & Index
Because the fund has amassed over $223.91 million, this makes it one of the average sized ETFs in the Foreign Large Growth ETF. FICS is managed by First Trust Advisors. This particular fund seeks to match the performance of the INTERNATIONAL DEVLPD CAPITAL STRENGTH ID before fees and expenses.
The International Developed Capital Strength Index provides exposure to well-capitalized companies in the developed markets outside of the U.S. with strong market positions that have the potential to provide their stockholders with a greater degree of stability and performance over time.
Cost & Other Expenses
For ETF investors, expense ratios are an important factor when considering a fund's return; in the long-term, cheaper funds actually have the ability to outperform their more expensive cousins if all other things remain the same.
Operating expenses on an annual basis are 0.70% for FICS, making it on par with most peer products in the space.
FICS's 12-month trailing dividend yield is 1.94%.
Sector Exposure and Top Holdings
While ETFs offer diversified exposure, which minimizes single stock risk, a deep look into a fund's holdings is a valuable exercise. And, most ETFs are very transparent products that disclose their holdings on a daily basis.
When you look at individual holdings, Imperial Oil Ltd. (IMO.CN) accounts for about 2.71% of the fund's total assets, followed by Rio Tinto Plc (RIO.LN) and Bhp Group Limited (BHP.AU).
Its top 10 holdings account for approximately 24.24% of FICS's total assets under management.
Performance and Risk
The ETF has gained about 1.75% and is up about 16.08% so far this year and in the past one year (as of 04/10/2026), respectively. FICS has traded between $36.57 and $42.48 during this last 52-week period.
The fund has a beta of 0.76 and standard deviation of 12.96% for the trailing three-year period. With about 57 holdings, it effectively diversifies company-specific risk .
Alternatives
First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF is not a suitable option for investors seeking to outperform the Foreign Large Growth ETF segment of the market. Instead, there are other ETFs in the space which investors should consider.
Invesco S&P International Developed Quality ETF (IDHQ) tracks S&P Quality Developed ex US LargeMidCap Index and the Invesco Dorsey Wright Developed Markets Momentum ETF (PIZ) tracks Dorsey Wright Developed Markets Technical Leaders Index. Invesco S&P International Developed Quality ETF has $721.79 million in assets, Invesco Dorsey Wright Developed Markets Momentum ETF has $733.94 million. IDHQ has an expense ratio of 0.29% and PIZ changes 0.80%.
Investors looking for cheaper and lower-risk options should consider traditional market cap weighted ETFs that aim to match the returns of the Foreign Large Growth ETF
Bottom Line
To learn more about this product and other ETFs, screen for products that match your investment objectives and read articles on latest developments in the ETF investing universe, please visit Zacks ETF Center.
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Is First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF (FICS) a Strong ETF Right Now?
Launched on 12/15/2020, the First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF (FICS - Free Report) is a smart beta exchange traded fund offering broad exposure to the Foreign Large Growth ETF category of the market.
What Are Smart Beta ETFs?
The ETF industry has traditionally been dominated by products based on market capitalization weighted indexes that are designed to represent the market or a particular segment of the market.
Market cap weighted indexes offer a low-cost, convenient, and transparent way of replicating market returns, and are a good option for investors who believe in market efficiency.
But, there are some investors who would rather invest in smart beta funds; these funds track non-cap weighted strategies, and are a strong option for those who prefer choosing great stocks in order to beat the market.
Based on specific fundamental characteristics, or a combination of such, these indexes attempt to pick stocks that have a better chance of risk-return performance.
This area offers many different investment choices, such as simplest equal-weighting, fundamental weighting and volatility/momentum based weighting methodologies; however, not all of these strategies can deliver superior results.
Fund Sponsor & Index
Because the fund has amassed over $223.91 million, this makes it one of the average sized ETFs in the Foreign Large Growth ETF. FICS is managed by First Trust Advisors. This particular fund seeks to match the performance of the INTERNATIONAL DEVLPD CAPITAL STRENGTH ID before fees and expenses.
The International Developed Capital Strength Index provides exposure to well-capitalized companies in the developed markets outside of the U.S. with strong market positions that have the potential to provide their stockholders with a greater degree of stability and performance over time.
Cost & Other Expenses
For ETF investors, expense ratios are an important factor when considering a fund's return; in the long-term, cheaper funds actually have the ability to outperform their more expensive cousins if all other things remain the same.
Operating expenses on an annual basis are 0.70% for FICS, making it on par with most peer products in the space.
FICS's 12-month trailing dividend yield is 1.94%.
Sector Exposure and Top Holdings
While ETFs offer diversified exposure, which minimizes single stock risk, a deep look into a fund's holdings is a valuable exercise. And, most ETFs are very transparent products that disclose their holdings on a daily basis.
When you look at individual holdings, Imperial Oil Ltd. (IMO.CN) accounts for about 2.71% of the fund's total assets, followed by Rio Tinto Plc (RIO.LN) and Bhp Group Limited (BHP.AU).
Its top 10 holdings account for approximately 24.24% of FICS's total assets under management.
Performance and Risk
The ETF has gained about 1.75% and is up about 16.08% so far this year and in the past one year (as of 04/10/2026), respectively. FICS has traded between $36.57 and $42.48 during this last 52-week period.
The fund has a beta of 0.76 and standard deviation of 12.96% for the trailing three-year period. With about 57 holdings, it effectively diversifies company-specific risk .
Alternatives
First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF is not a suitable option for investors seeking to outperform the Foreign Large Growth ETF segment of the market. Instead, there are other ETFs in the space which investors should consider.
Invesco S&P International Developed Quality ETF (IDHQ) tracks S&P Quality Developed ex US LargeMidCap Index and the Invesco Dorsey Wright Developed Markets Momentum ETF (PIZ) tracks Dorsey Wright Developed Markets Technical Leaders Index. Invesco S&P International Developed Quality ETF has $721.79 million in assets, Invesco Dorsey Wright Developed Markets Momentum ETF has $733.94 million. IDHQ has an expense ratio of 0.29% and PIZ changes 0.80%.
Investors looking for cheaper and lower-risk options should consider traditional market cap weighted ETFs that aim to match the returns of the Foreign Large Growth ETF
Bottom Line
To learn more about this product and other ETFs, screen for products that match your investment objectives and read articles on latest developments in the ETF investing universe, please visit Zacks ETF Center.