FCTR vs. VUG

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

FCTR (First Trust Lunt U.S. Factor Rotation ETF) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - FCTR tracks the Lunt Capital Large Cap Factor Rotation Index while VUG tracks the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FCTR returned 2.79%/yr vs 12.56%/yr for VUG. Their 0.79 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FCTR charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

FCTR vs. VUG - 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 Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FCTR achieves a 9.44% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's 7.33% return.

FCTR

• 1D: 1.68%
• 1M: -3.92%
• 6M: 5.49%
• YTD: 9.44%
• 1Y: 15.96%
• 3Y*: 14.29%
• 5Y*: 2.79%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.41%

VUG

• 1D: 2.21%
• 1M: 1.85%
• 6M: 8.45%
• YTD: 7.33%
• 1Y: 17.91%
• 3Y*: 23.28%
• 5Y*: 12.56%
• 10Y*: 17.52%
• ALL TIME*: 12.19%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FCTR First Trust Lunt U.S. Factor Rotation ETF	$58.31K	$73.38K	$87.61K
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	$562.97M	$645.16M	$657.53M

FCTR vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FCTR First Trust Lunt U.S. Factor Rotation ETF	9.44%	8.63%	19.54%	0.71%	-20.42%	21.13%	30.17%	30.91%	-12.50%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	7.33%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-14.25%

Correlation

The correlation between FCTR and VUG is 0.71, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 26, 2018	0.79

The correlation between FCTR and VUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

FCTR vs. VUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FCTR	VUG
Technology	35.0%	56.2%
Financial Services	12.2%	3.8%
Industrials	10.8%	5.3%
Healthcare	10.1%	4.7%
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	11.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	1.4%
Basic Materials	4.4%	0.5%
Energy	3.9%	0.3%
Communication Services	3.5%	15.4%
Utilities	2.7%	0.7%
Real Estate	2.4%	1.0%

Return for Risk

FCTR vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FCTR

FCTR Risk / Return Rank: 35
FCTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
FCTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
FCTR Omega Ratio Rank: 31
FCTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
FCTR Martin Ratio Rank: 41

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 37
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 38
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 35

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FCTR vs. VUG - 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 Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.82	1.01	-0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.22	1.48	-0.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.18	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.43	1.09	+0.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.66	3.45	+1.21

FCTR vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FCTR Sharpe Ratio is 0.82, which is comparable to the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FCTR and VUG, 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. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCTR drawdown since its inception was -37.10%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCTR and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCTR	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.10%	-50.68%	+13.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.17%	-16.53%	+5.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.63%	-22.85%	+0.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.10%	-35.61%	-1.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.69%	-3.45%	-2.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.26%	-7.08%	-3.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.43%	5.20%	-1.77%

Volatility

FCTR vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Lunt U.S. Factor Rotation ETF (FCTR) has a higher volatility of 8.03% compared to Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) at 5.95%. This indicates that FCTR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FCTR	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.03%	5.95%	+2.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.89%	14.38%	-0.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.63%	17.76%	+1.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.09%	22.52%	-2.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.00%	21.57%	+0.43%

FCTR vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

FCTR has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

FCTR vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

FCTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.49%, more than VUG's 0.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FCTR First Trust Lunt U.S. Factor Rotation ETF	0.49%	0.30%	0.82%	1.04%	1.38%	0.46%	0.44%	0.98%	0.66%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.39%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.14%	1.39%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FCTR and VUG in my portfolio?

FCTR and VUG have a correlation of 0.71, 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 VUG?

FCTR has higher volatility (8.03%) compared to VUG (5.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FCTR dropped -37.10% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which ETF is better, FCTR or VUG?

On 5-year performance, VUG leads with 12.56% vs 2.79% for FCTR. On fees, VUG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VUG has been the lower-risk option at 5.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FCTR or VUG?

Over the 5-year period, VUG has performed better with a 12.56% return vs 2.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FCTR or VUG?

VUG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for FCTR.

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

FCTR has the higher dividend yield at 0.49%, compared with 0.39% for VUG.

What is the main difference between FCTR and VUG?

FCTR tracks Lunt Capital Large Cap Factor Rotation Index, while VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for FCTR and 0.03% for VUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.01 vs 0.82), 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.