Is First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF (FICS) a Strong ETF Right Now?

Group 1: ETF Overview - The First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF (FICS) debuted on December 15, 2020, and is categorized as a smart beta ETF providing broad exposure to the Foreign Large Growth ETF segment [1] - FICS is managed by First Trust Advisors and has accumulated over $210.33 million in assets, positioning it as one of the larger ETFs in its category [5] - The fund aims to match the performance of the International Developed Capital Strength Index, which focuses on well-capitalized companies in developed markets outside the U.S. [6] Group 2: Cost and Performance - FICS has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.70%, which is competitive within its peer group, and a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 2.38% [7] - Year-to-date, FICS has returned approximately 12.69%, with a 12-month return of about 2.06% as of September 29, 2025 [10] - The fund has a beta of 0.76 and a standard deviation of 14.15% over the trailing three-year period, indicating effective diversification of company-specific risk with around 57 holdings [11] Group 3: Holdings and Sector Exposure - FICS's top holdings include Gea Group Ag (2.39% of total assets), Royal Bank Of Canada, and Astrazeneca Plc, with the top 10 holdings accounting for approximately 22.65% of total assets [8][9] - The ETF offers diversified exposure, minimizing single stock risk, and is transparent about its holdings, which are disclosed daily [8] Group 4: Alternatives and Market Position - FICS may not be suitable for investors seeking to outperform the Foreign Large Growth ETF segment, with alternatives such as Invesco Dorsey Wright Developed Markets Momentum ETF and Invesco S&P International Developed Quality ETF available [12][13] - Investors looking for lower-cost options may consider traditional market cap weighted ETFs that aim to match the returns of the Foreign Large Growth ETF [14]