FTC vs. QUS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTC (First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund) and QUS (SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - FTC tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Growth Index while QUS tracks the MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped (USD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTC returned 14.85%/yr vs 13.67%/yr for QUS. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FTC charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUS.

Performance

FTC vs. QUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FTC) and SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTC achieves a 17.25% return, which is significantly higher than QUS's 6.67% return. Over the past 10 years, FTC has outperformed QUS with an annualized return of 14.85%, while QUS has yielded a comparatively lower 13.67% annualized return.

FTC

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 9.21%
• YTD: 17.25%
• 6M: 17.16%
• 1Y: 29.07%
• 3Y*: 25.57%
• 5Y*: 13.04%
• 10Y*: 14.85%

QUS

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: 2.68%
• YTD: 6.67%
• 6M: 6.93%
• 1Y: 17.65%
• 3Y*: 17.53%
• 5Y*: 11.08%
• 10Y*: 13.67%

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

FTC vs. QUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTC First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	17.25%	15.89%	26.60%	20.72%	-23.28%	24.43%	33.35%	28.07%	-6.03%	25.32%
QUS SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	6.67%	14.13%	18.99%	21.78%	-14.15%	26.72%	12.40%	32.45%	-3.66%	21.67%

Correlation

The correlation between FTC and QUS is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 17, 2015	0.77

The correlation between FTC and QUS shifts across timeframes, from 0.71 (1 year) to 0.85 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FTC vs. QUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTC	QUS
Technology	31.3%	26.3%
Industrials	29.7%	8.6%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	5.8%
Healthcare	9.0%	13.4%
Financial Services	6.7%	14.6%
Basic Materials	3.3%	2.3%
Communication Services	2.5%	10.2%
Utilities	2.2%	3.6%
Real Estate	2.2%	1.4%
Consumer Defensive	2.0%	9.2%
Energy	0.9%	4.6%

Return for Risk

FTC vs. QUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTC

FTC Risk / Return Rank: 50
FTC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
FTC Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
FTC Omega Ratio Rank: 43
FTC Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
FTC Martin Ratio Rank: 60

QUS

QUS Risk / Return Rank: 57
QUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
QUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
QUS Omega Ratio Rank: 55
QUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
QUS Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

FTC vs. QUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FTC) and SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS). 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.

	FTC	QUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.62	1.95	-0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.24	2.81	-0.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.35	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.82	2.59	+0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.83	11.54	-0.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTC vs. QUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTC Sharpe Ratio is 1.62, which is comparable to the QUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTC and QUS, 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

	FTC	QUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.62	1.95	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.78	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	0.83	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.77	-0.24

Drawdowns

FTC vs. QUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTC drawdown since its inception was -54.05%, which is greater than QUS's maximum drawdown of -33.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTC and QUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTC	QUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.05%	-33.78%	-20.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.36%	-6.85%	-3.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.41%	-13.94%	-7.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.18%	-22.30%	-8.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.66%	-33.78%	-0.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.03%	-0.50%	+0.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.32%	-3.70%	-5.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.69%	1.53%	+1.16%

Volatility

FTC vs. QUS - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FTC) has a higher volatility of 6.65% compared to SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) at 1.78%. This indicates that FTC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTC	QUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.65%	1.78%	+4.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.24%	6.66%	+7.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.02%	9.09%	+8.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.85%	14.33%	+5.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.45%	16.42%	+4.03%

FTC vs. QUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTC has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than QUS's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTC vs. QUS - Dividend Comparison

FTC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.18%, less than QUS's 1.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTC First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	0.18%	0.20%	0.32%	0.65%	0.90%	0.00%	0.40%	0.64%	0.35%	0.40%	0.86%	0.52%
QUS SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF	1.31%	1.38%	1.49%	1.57%	1.68%	1.27%	1.73%	1.81%	2.12%	1.86%	2.07%	1.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTC and QUS in my portfolio?

FTC and QUS 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, FTC or QUS?

FTC has higher volatility (6.65%) compared to QUS (1.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTC dropped -54.05% vs QUS's -33.78%.

Which ETF is better, FTC or QUS?

On 10-year performance, FTC leads with 14.85% vs 13.67% for QUS. On fees, QUS is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, QUS has been the lower-risk option at 1.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTC or QUS?

Over the 10-year period, FTC has performed better with a 14.85% return vs 13.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTC or QUS?

QUS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTC or QUS?

QUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.31%, compared with 0.18% for FTC.

What is the main difference between FTC and QUS?

FTC tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Growth Index, while QUS tracks MSCI USA Factor Mix A-Series Capped (USD). They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTC and 0.15% for QUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 1.62), 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.