FCTR vs. QLC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FCTR (First Trust Lunt U.S. Factor Rotation ETF) and QLC (FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FCTR is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Lunt Capital Large Cap Factor Rotation Index, while QLC is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Large Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FCTR returned 4.29%/yr vs 15.29%/yr for QLC. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FCTR charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for QLC.

Performance

FCTR vs. QLC - 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 FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FCTR achieves a 15.16% return, which is significantly higher than QLC's 11.39% return.

FCTR

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 8.63%
• YTD: 15.16%
• 6M: 15.25%
• 1Y: 23.34%
• 3Y*: 18.16%
• 5Y*: 4.29%
• 10Y*: —

QLC

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 5.38%
• YTD: 11.39%
• 6M: 11.88%
• 1Y: 33.09%
• 3Y*: 25.39%
• 5Y*: 15.29%
• 10Y*: 14.83%

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

FCTR vs. QLC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FCTR First Trust Lunt U.S. Factor Rotation ETF	15.16%	8.63%	19.54%	0.71%	-20.42%	21.13%	30.17%	30.91%	-12.94%
QLC FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund	11.39%	23.26%	26.71%	26.02%	-17.21%	28.46%	13.64%	24.51%	-13.43%

Correlation

The correlation between FCTR and QLC is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 27, 2018	0.83

The correlation between FCTR and QLC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

FCTR vs. QLC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FCTR	QLC
Technology	19.3%	34.8%
Financial Services	18.7%	13.8%
Healthcare	9.4%	10.1%
Industrials	9.4%	6.6%
Consumer Cyclical	8.5%	7.9%
Consumer Defensive	8.1%	3.2%
Real Estate	7.8%	2.3%
Energy	6.5%	2.0%
Basic Materials	4.6%	2.2%
Utilities	4.3%	3.4%
Communication Services	3.5%	13.8%

Return for Risk

FCTR vs. QLC — Risk / Return Rank

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

FCTR

FCTR Risk / Return Rank: 40
FCTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
FCTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
FCTR Omega Ratio Rank: 36
FCTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
FCTR Martin Ratio Rank: 47

QLC

QLC Risk / Return Rank: 81
QLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
QLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
QLC Omega Ratio Rank: 80
QLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
QLC Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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. QLC - 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 FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC). 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.

	FCTR	QLC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.34	2.69	-1.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.86	3.71	-1.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.48	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.10	3.76	-1.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.66	17.59	-9.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FCTR vs. QLC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FCTR Sharpe Ratio is 1.34, which is lower than the QLC Sharpe Ratio of 2.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FCTR and QLC, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FCTR	QLC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.34	2.69	-1.35
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22	0.91	-0.69
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.81	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.80	-0.33

Drawdowns

FCTR vs. QLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCTR drawdown since its inception was -37.10%, roughly equal to the maximum QLC drawdown of -35.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCTR and QLC.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCTR	QLC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.10%	-35.86%	-1.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.17%	-8.84%	-2.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.63%	-18.49%	-4.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.10%	-23.81%	-13.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.86%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.76%	-0.74%	-0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.40%	-4.54%	-5.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.05%	1.89%	+1.16%

Volatility

FCTR vs. QLC - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Lunt U.S. Factor Rotation ETF (FCTR) has a higher volatility of 6.82% compared to FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund (QLC) at 2.94%. This indicates that FCTR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QLC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FCTR	QLC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.82%	2.94%	+3.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.84%	9.51%	+2.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.53%	12.38%	+5.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.64%	16.82%	+2.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.94%	18.42%	+3.52%

FCTR vs. QLC - Expense Ratio Comparison

FCTR has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than QLC's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

FCTR vs. QLC - Dividend Comparison

FCTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.35%, less than QLC's 0.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FCTR First Trust Lunt U.S. Factor Rotation ETF	0.35%	0.30%	0.82%	1.04%	1.38%	0.46%	0.44%	0.98%	0.66%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QLC FlexShares US Quality Large Cap Index Fund	0.88%	0.94%	1.03%	1.26%	1.46%	0.96%	1.40%	1.91%	1.82%	1.29%	1.80%	0.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FCTR and QLC in my portfolio?

FCTR and QLC have a correlation of 0.78, 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 QLC?

FCTR has higher volatility (6.82%) compared to QLC (2.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FCTR dropped -37.10% vs QLC's -35.86%.

Which ETF is better, FCTR or QLC?

On 5-year performance, QLC leads with 15.29% vs 4.29% for FCTR. On fees, QLC is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, QLC has been the lower-risk option at 2.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FCTR or QLC?

Over the 5-year period, QLC has performed better with a 15.29% return vs 4.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FCTR or QLC?

QLC is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for FCTR.

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

QLC has the higher dividend yield at 0.88%, compared with 0.35% for FCTR.

What is the main difference between FCTR and QLC?

FCTR is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while QLC is Large Cap Blend Equities. FCTR tracks Lunt Capital Large Cap Factor Rotation Index, while QLC tracks Northern Trust Quality Large Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for FCTR and 0.25% for QLC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.69 vs 1.34), 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.