FTDS ETF: What Is It? A Complete Guide to Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings and Alternative ETFs
The First Trust Dividend Strength ETF, or FTDS ETF, is a US equity product that looks at financial condition and dividend growth history together. For investors who want diversified exposure while checking dividend growth trends and corporate financial health, comparing related stocks and reviewing dividend policy are key criteria.
SubscribeWhat Is the First Trust Dividend Strength ETF?
FTDS ETF tracks an index of US-listed dividend-paying companies and real estate investment trusts, selected with attention to their financial foundations and dividend growth history. Rather than looking only at individual high dividend yields, it considers financial strength and the sustainability of dividends together.
It is well suited to long-term investors who want to diversify across US stocks while weighing dividend growth and financial soundness.
It is a passively managed (index-tracking) ETF run by First Trust.
How Does the First Trust Dividend Strength ETF Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracked index | Dividend Strength Index |
| Management style | Passive index tracking |
| Selection criteria | Financial soundness and dividend growth history |
| Rebalancing frequency | Adjusted according to index rules |
| Distribution frequency | Quarterly distributions |
| Total expense ratio | 0.70% |
FTDS ETF directly holds the constituents of its index in an effort to reflect the performance of the underlying index. Because it examines the financial foundations and dividend growth history of dividend-paying US companies and real estate investment trusts, its selection method can be seen as focusing on the sustainability of dividends rather than simply the current dividend level.
- Selection criteria that consider dividend growth history and financial foundations together
- A passive management approach that directly holds the index constituents
First Trust Dividend Strength ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Management Fee)
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $39.9M, and the total expense ratio is 0.70% per year.
Because its asset size and trading conditions may be more limited than those of large dividend ETFs, it is advisable to check the bid-ask spread and trading volume before placing a trade.
First Trust Dividend Strength ETF Performance and Trends
1-Year Price Performance
Dividend & Yield
52-Week Price RangeThe performance of FTDS ETF is influenced by how the market values dividend growth stocks and companies with strong financial health. Short-term movements may vary with interest rates, corporate earnings outlooks, and shifts in preference between value and growth stocks, and the continuity of dividend payments is another factor to monitor.
Demand for dividend ETFs can draw attention in an investment environment that prizes income flow and defensive characteristics. However, FTDS ETF may have more limited trading conditions than comparable products, so it is advisable to also consider how changes in fund flows affect ease of trading.
First Trust Dividend Strength ETF Strengths and Weaknesses
It has the advantage of considering financial foundations and dividend growth history together, but its fees and trading conditions should be compared with those of similar products.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
First Trust Dividend Strength ETF Alternative ETFs and Related Products
VIG ETF is characterized by its low fees and large asset base, and SCHD ETF is a large, dividend-focused product that can be used for comparison. VYM ETF aims for broader high-dividend exposure, DFAC ETF aims for diversification across US stocks overall rather than dividends, and RDVY ETF aims for dividend growth screening. FTDS ETF should be compared with these products on fee burden, asset size, dividend selection criteria, and trading conditions.
Peer Comparison ETFs| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 SCHD | Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF | $35.61 | +1.5% | $118.4B | 0.06% | 2.96% | +33.2% |
 VIG | Vanguard Dividend Appreciation FTF | $249.16 | +1.3% | $114.8B | 0.04% | 1.46% | +14.2% |
 VYM | Vanguard High Dividend Yield Indx ETF | $164.82 | +0.9% | $83.1B | 0.04% | 2.23% | +16.6% |
 DFAC | U.S. Core Equity 2 Portfolio-ETF Class Shares | $45.49 | +0.3% | $49.7B | 0.18% | 0.87% | +15.8% |
 RDVY | First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF | $79.95 | +0.8% | $25.5B | 0.47% | 0.85% | +17.7% |
Top Holdings| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 CF | CF Industries Holdings Inc | 0.03% | $118.09 | -1.5% | $17.9B | 8.8 | 1.84% |
| DVN | Devon Energy Corp | 0.03% | $51.17 | -0.2% | $56.3B | 12.1 | 2.25% |
| EOG | EOG Resources Inc | 0.03% | $162.22 | +0.8% | $85.1B | 12.6 | 2.53% |
| COP | Conoco Phillips | 0.03% | $150.03 | +0.7% | $180.2B | 19.9 | 2.25% |
| FANG | Diamondback Energy Inc | 0.03% | $206.43 | +0.1% | $57.8B | 40.0 | 2.11% |
| HAL | Halliburton Co | 0.02% | $35.90 | +0.4% | $29.7B | 15.0 | 1.9% |
| BKR | Baker Hughes Co | 0.02% | $54.51 | -0.3% | $54.1B | 18.7 | 1.71% |
 RS | Reliance Inc | 0.02% | $439.71 | +0.6% | $22.4B | 20.5 | 1.13% |
| TRGP | Targa Resources Corp | 0.02% | $312.37 | +2.1% | $67.0B | 29.8 | 1.6% |
First Trust Dividend Strength ETF Investor Checkpoints
Before adding FTDS ETF to a portfolio, it is worth checking whether its dividend growth selection method fits your investment goals and whether you can accept its costs and trading conditions. It is important to look at the financial foundations of companies and the index construction principles together, rather than just the dividend level.
| Checkpoint | What to check | Current status |
|---|---|---|
| 💵 Fee burden | Long-term cost difference versus similar dividend ETFs | Relatively high |
| 💧 Trading conditions | Trading volume and the bid-ask spread | Needs checking |
| 📊 Selection criteria | How financial foundations and dividend growth history are reflected | Check index rules |
| 💱 Exchange rate | Effect on returns in Korean won terms | Exposed to exchange rate fluctuations |
Because of its selection criteria of dividend growth and financial soundness, FTDS ETF may be concentrated in certain types of companies. Changes in interest rates, a slowdown in corporate earnings, and the possibility of dividend cuts can affect performance and the distribution trend, and trading conditions may raise actual trading costs.
FTDS ETF can be a candidate for investors who want to look at dividend growth history and financial foundations together rather than a high current dividend. However, it is necessary to check the differences in fees and trading conditions compared with similar dividend ETFs, and to confirm that it fits your income goals and risk tolerance.
SubscribeDisclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
This article reflects information as of August 16, 2026.
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