FCTR vs. QARP

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

FCTR (First Trust Lunt U.S. Factor Rotation ETF) and QARP (Xtrackers Russell 1000 US Quality at a Reasonable Price ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - FCTR tracks the Lunt Capital Large Cap Factor Rotation Index while QARP tracks the Russell 1000 2Qual/Val 5% Capped Factor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FCTR returned 2.70%/yr vs 12.09%/yr for QARP. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FCTR charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for QARP.

Performance

FCTR vs. QARP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Lunt U.S. Factor Rotation ETF (FCTR) and Xtrackers Russell 1000 US Quality at a Reasonable Price ETF (QARP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FCTR achieves a 7.77% return, which is significantly lower than QARP's 12.78% return.

FCTR

• 1D: -2.84%
• 1M: -5.43%
• 6M: 1.94%
• YTD: 7.77%
• 1Y: 12.88%
• 3Y*: 12.95%
• 5Y*: 2.70%
• 10Y*: —

QARP

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 1.10%
• 6M: 9.34%
• YTD: 12.78%
• 1Y: 25.00%
• 3Y*: 17.33%
• 5Y*: 12.09%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FCTR vs. QARP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FCTR First Trust Lunt U.S. Factor Rotation ETF	7.77%	8.63%	19.54%	0.71%	-20.42%	21.13%	30.17%	30.91%	-12.50%
QARP Xtrackers Russell 1000 US Quality at a Reasonable Price ETF	12.78%	13.99%	18.94%	23.03%	-14.62%	31.82%	14.83%	30.70%	-11.34%

Correlation

The correlation between FCTR and QARP is 0.66, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 26, 2018	0.80

The correlation between FCTR and QARP shifts across timeframes, from 0.66 (1 year) to 0.81 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FCTR vs. QARP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FCTR	QARP
Technology	36.5%	23.5%
Industrials	18.5%	8.5%
Financial Services	8.5%	12.1%
Consumer Cyclical	7.9%	9.6%
Healthcare	6.7%	13.9%
Basic Materials	5.7%	2.3%
Energy	4.7%	5.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	9.6%
Communication Services	2.9%	11.3%
Utilities	2.7%	2.0%
Real Estate	1.6%	1.0%

Return for Risk

FCTR vs. QARP — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

FCTR

FCTR Risk / Return Rank: 26
FCTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
FCTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
FCTR Omega Ratio Rank: 22
FCTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
FCTR Martin Ratio Rank: 34

QARP

QARP Risk / Return Rank: 87
QARP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
QARP Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
QARP Omega Ratio Rank: 88
QARP Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
QARP Martin Ratio Rank: 89

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

FCTR vs. QARP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Lunt U.S. Factor Rotation ETF (FCTR) and Xtrackers Russell 1000 US Quality at a Reasonable Price ETF (QARP). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	FCTR	QARP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.69	2.38	-1.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.03	3.34	-2.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.43	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.16	3.46	-2.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.04	15.38	-11.34

FCTR vs. QARP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FCTR Sharpe Ratio is 0.69, which is lower than the QARP Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FCTR and QARP, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FCTR vs. QARP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCTR drawdown since its inception was -37.10%, roughly equal to the maximum QARP drawdown of -35.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCTR and QARP.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCTR	QARP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.10%	-35.44%	-1.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.17%	-7.26%	-3.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.63%	-15.65%	-6.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.10%	-22.75%	-14.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.13%	0.00%	-7.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.28%	-4.39%	-5.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.19%	1.63%	+1.56%

Volatility

FCTR vs. QARP - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Lunt U.S. Factor Rotation ETF (FCTR) has a higher volatility of 5.81% compared to Xtrackers Russell 1000 US Quality at a Reasonable Price ETF (QARP) at 2.76%. This indicates that FCTR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QARP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FCTR	QARP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.81%	2.76%	+3.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.00%	8.22%	+4.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.80%	10.58%	+8.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.90%	15.54%	+4.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.95%	19.55%	+2.40%

FCTR vs. QARP - Expense Ratio Comparison

FCTR has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than QARP's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

FCTR vs. QARP - Dividend Comparison

FCTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.50%, less than QARP's 1.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FCTR First Trust Lunt U.S. Factor Rotation ETF	0.50%	0.30%	0.82%	1.04%	1.38%	0.46%	0.44%	0.98%	0.66%
QARP Xtrackers Russell 1000 US Quality at a Reasonable Price ETF	1.02%	1.14%	1.39%	1.28%	1.68%	1.34%	1.61%	1.85%	1.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FCTR and QARP in my portfolio?

FCTR and QARP have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FCTR or QARP?

FCTR has higher volatility (5.81%) compared to QARP (2.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FCTR dropped -37.10% vs QARP's -35.44%.

Which ETF is better, FCTR or QARP?

On 5-year performance, QARP leads with 12.09% vs 2.70% for FCTR. On fees, QARP is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, QARP has been the lower-risk option at 2.76%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FCTR or QARP?

Over the 5-year period, QARP has performed better with a 12.09% return vs 2.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FCTR or QARP?

QARP is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for FCTR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FCTR or QARP?

QARP has the higher dividend yield at 1.02%, compared with 0.50% for FCTR.

What is the main difference between FCTR and QARP?

FCTR tracks Lunt Capital Large Cap Factor Rotation Index, while QARP tracks Russell 1000 2Qual/Val 5% Capped Factor Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Deutsche Bank. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for FCTR and 0.19% for QARP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QARP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 0.69), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.