FTCS vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FTCS (First Trust Capital Strength ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTCS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the The Capital Strength Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTCS returned 10.16%/yr vs 15.57%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FTCS charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

FTCS vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTCS achieves a 0.03% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 11.69% return. Over the past 10 years, FTCS has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 10.16%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.57% annualized return.

FTCS

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: -1.29%
• YTD: 0.03%
• 6M: 0.88%
• 1Y: 2.69%
• 3Y*: 9.49%
• 5Y*: 5.51%
• 10Y*: 10.16%

SPY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.40%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.62%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: 14.20%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

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

FTCS vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTCS First Trust Capital Strength ETF	0.03%	6.46%	11.19%	8.48%	-10.22%	26.75%	13.05%	26.71%	-4.22%	26.57%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between FTCS and SPY is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 12, 2006	0.85

Over the past year, the correlation between FTCS and SPY has dropped to 0.51 - well below their long-term average of 0.85, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FTCS vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTCS	SPY
Financial Services	20.4%	11.8%
Industrials	19.6%	7.8%
Healthcare	19.1%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	14.3%	4.8%
Technology	12.3%	35.9%
Consumer Cyclical	7.7%	10.3%
Communication Services	2.3%	11.3%
Energy	2.2%	3.6%
Basic Materials	2.1%	1.8%
Real Estate	-	1.9%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

FTCS vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTCS

FTCS Risk / Return Rank: 12
FTCS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
FTCS Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
FTCS Omega Ratio Rank: 11
FTCS Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
FTCS Martin Ratio Rank: 12

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 75
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

FTCS vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	FTCS	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.27	2.52	-2.25
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.47	3.42	-2.94
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.46	-0.41
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.35	3.42	-3.07
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.87	15.93	-15.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTCS vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTCS Sharpe Ratio is 0.27, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTCS and SPY, 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

	FTCS	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27	2.52	-2.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	0.84	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66	0.87	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.59	-0.09

Drawdowns

FTCS vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTCS drawdown since its inception was -53.64%, roughly equal to the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTCS and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTCS	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.64%	-55.19%	+1.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.74%	-8.88%	+1.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.62%	-18.76%	+6.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.93%	-24.50%	+3.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.93%	-33.72%	+1.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.94%	0.00%	-6.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.92%	-9.05%	+2.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.10%	1.91%	+1.19%

Volatility

FTCS vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) have volatilities of 2.68% and 2.75%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTCS	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.68%	2.75%	-0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.02%	8.89%	-1.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.82%	11.81%	-1.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.13%	17.05%	-3.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.54%	17.94%	-2.40%

FTCS vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTCS has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTCS vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

FTCS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.12%, more than SPY's 0.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTCS First Trust Capital Strength ETF	1.12%	1.04%	1.33%	1.47%	1.23%	1.06%	0.93%	1.26%	1.26%	1.15%	1.43%	1.50%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.97%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTCS and SPY in my portfolio?

FTCS and SPY have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTCS or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (2.75%) compared to FTCS (2.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTCS dropped -53.64% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, FTCS or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.57% vs 10.16% for FTCS. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTCS or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.57% return vs 10.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTCS or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.53% for FTCS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTCS or SPY?

FTCS has the higher dividend yield at 1.12%, compared with 0.97% for SPY.

What is the main difference between FTCS and SPY?

FTCS is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. FTCS tracks The Capital Strength Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.53% for FTCS and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 0.27), 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.