FTCS vs. SPY
Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) and SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY).
FTCS and SPY are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. FTCS is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the The NASDAQ Capital Strength Index. It was launched on Jul 6, 2006. SPY is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Index. It was launched on Jan 22, 1993. Both FTCS and SPY are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: FTCS or SPY.
Key characteristics
| FTCS | SPY | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 6.15% | 11.74% |
| 1Y Return | 17.51% | 28.12% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | 5.73% | 10.36% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 10.56% | 14.97% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 11.05% | 12.97% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 1.98 | 2.56 |
| Daily Std Dev | 9.07% | 11.48% |
| Max Drawdown | -53.64% | -55.19% |
| Current Drawdown | -1.06% | -0.06% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTCS and SPY is 0.88, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Performance
FTCS vs. SPY - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, FTCS achieves a 6.15% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 11.74% return. Over the past 10 years, FTCS has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 11.05%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 12.97% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
FTCS vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTCS has a 0.56% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
FTCS vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) and 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.
Dividends
FTCS vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison
FTCS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.31%, more than SPY's 1.27% yield.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTCS First Trust Capital Strength ETF | 1.31% | 1.47% | 1.23% | 1.06% | 0.93% | 1.26% | 1.26% | 1.15% | 1.43% | 1.50% | 2.01% | 1.34% |
SPY SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 1.27% | 1.40% | 1.65% | 1.20% | 1.52% | 1.75% | 2.04% | 1.80% | 2.03% | 2.06% | 1.87% | 1.81% |
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. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
FTCS vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is 1.99%, while SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 3.37%. This indicates that FTCS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.