First Trust Growth Strength ETF (FTGS) Performance
FTGS total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- +6.6% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +3.6% total return
- 3 years
- +17.8% a year
- Since first price
- +17.1% a year since 2022
FTGS trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | FTGS total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | −1.5% | −1.5% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | +1.1% | +1.0% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | +4.2% | +4.2% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | +6.6% | +6.6% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +3.6% | +3.5% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| 3 years | +63.3%+17.8%/yr | +62.1% | +87.4%+23.3%/yr | +101.4%+26.3%/yr | +16.6%+5.2%/yr |
| Since inceptionOct 26, 2022 | +88.1%+17.1%/yr | +85.2% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: FTGS vs SPY
From Oct 26, 2022: FTGS grew to $18,805, SPY to $20,953.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
FTGS returns by calendar year
3 of 3 full years positive. Best 2023 (+33.7%), worst 2025 (+12.8%). 2026 is year to date.
FTGS annual returns table
| Year | FTGS | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +6.6% | −9.4% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +12.8% | −20.0% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
| 2024 | +15.8% | −9.5% | +24.9% | +25.6% | +1.3% |
| 2023 | +33.7% | −7.8% | +26.2% | +54.9% | +5.7% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
FTGS largest drawdowns
Now 5.8% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 23, 2025 | −20.0% | Apr 8, 2025 | May 16, 2025 | 2 months | 4 months |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 10% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
FTGS risk statistics
| Statistic | 3 years | Since 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Annualized return | +17.1% | +17.6% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.0% | 14.6% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.90 | 0.89 |
| Sortino ratio | 1.60 | 1.61 |
| Best month | +11.0% | +11.0% |
| Worst month | −5.9% | −6.9% |
| Best 12 months | +33.9% | +39.6% |
| Worst 12 months | −2.7% | −2.7% |
| Positive months | 67% | 64% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 1.01 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | 0.90 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
FTGS rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 37 | −2.7% | +15.3% | +39.6% | 97% |
| 3-year (a year) | 13 | +15.9% | +18.0% | +21.0% | 100% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2022. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
FTGS performance overview
First Trust Growth Strength ETF (FTGS) returned +3.6% over the past year, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price in 2022 it has returned +17.1% a year, turning $10,000 into about $18,805. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
The deepest decline was −20.0%, from Jan 23, 2025 to Apr 8, 2025, and it took 38 days to get back to the old high. FTGS finished 3 of its 3 full calendar years with a gain; the best year was 2023 (+33.7%) and the worst 2025 (+12.8%). Volatility has been 14.6% a year.
Related: FTGS chart, FTGS holdings, FTGS dividends, FTGS valuation. See the FTGS overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
FTGS performance FAQ
What is the FTGS return over the past year?
FTGS returned +3.6% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it rose 3.5%.
How much would $10,000 invested in FTGS be worth?
$10,000 invested in FTGS at its first recorded close on October 26, 2022 would be worth about $18,805 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What was the worst year for FTGS?
The worst calendar year was 2025, with a total return of +12.8%. The best was 2023 at +33.7%.
What is the biggest drawdown of FTGS?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −20.0% between January 23, 2025 and April 8, 2025. It recovered to the old high on May 16, 2025, 38 days after the bottom.
How volatile is FTGS?
Over the past 3 years FTGS had an annualized volatility of 14.0% and a Sharpe ratio of 0.90 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).