FTGS vs. QUAL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTGS (First Trust Growth Strength ETF) and QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTGS is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the The Growth Strength Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while QUAL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, FTGS returned 18.88%/yr vs 19.66%/yr for QUAL. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FTGS charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUAL.

Performance

FTGS vs. QUAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Growth Strength ETF (FTGS) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTGS achieves a 5.22% return, which is significantly lower than QUAL's 8.80% return.

FTGS

• 1D: -0.75%
• 1M: 3.43%
• YTD: 5.22%
• 6M: 5.10%
• 1Y: 12.55%
• 3Y*: 18.88%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QUAL

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 4.62%
• YTD: 8.80%
• 6M: 8.86%
• 1Y: 21.68%
• 3Y*: 19.66%
• 5Y*: 11.96%
• 10Y*: 14.27%

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

FTGS vs. QUAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
FTGS First Trust Growth Strength ETF	5.22%	12.78%	15.76%	33.69%	1.09%
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	8.80%	12.65%	22.29%	30.88%	2.20%

Correlation

The correlation between FTGS and QUAL is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 27, 2022	0.90

The correlation between FTGS and QUAL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

FTGS vs. QUAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTGS	QUAL
Technology	30.6%	36.5%
Healthcare	17.6%	9.0%
Financial Services	16.2%	11.5%
Consumer Cyclical	13.6%	9.3%
Industrials	12.3%	8.2%
Communication Services	5.7%	11.1%
Energy	4.8%	4.0%
Consumer Defensive	2.0%	4.9%
Basic Materials	1.9%	1.7%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Utilities	-	1.9%

Return for Risk

FTGS vs. QUAL — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTGS

FTGS Risk / Return Rank: 27
FTGS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
FTGS Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
FTGS Omega Ratio Rank: 24
FTGS Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
FTGS Martin Ratio Rank: 31

QUAL

QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 53
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 51
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
QUAL Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

FTGS vs. QUAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Growth Strength ETF (FTGS) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL). 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.

	FTGS	QUAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.94	1.84	-0.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.41	2.62	-1.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.32	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.33	2.41	-1.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.51	11.00	-6.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTGS vs. QUAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTGS Sharpe Ratio is 0.94, which is lower than the QUAL Sharpe Ratio of 1.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTGS and QUAL, 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

	FTGS	QUAL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94	1.84	-0.90
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.69	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.79	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.10	0.80	+0.30

Drawdowns

FTGS vs. QUAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTGS drawdown since its inception was -19.99%, smaller than the maximum QUAL drawdown of -34.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTGS and QUAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTGS	QUAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.99%	-34.06%	+14.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.47%	-9.03%	-0.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.99%	-18.00%	-1.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-28.23%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.06%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.66%	-0.16%	-1.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.75%	-4.11%	+1.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.79%	1.98%	+0.81%

Volatility

FTGS vs. QUAL - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Growth Strength ETF (FTGS) has a higher volatility of 3.33% compared to iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) at 2.51%. This indicates that FTGS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QUAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTGS	QUAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.33%	2.51%	+0.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.27%	9.03%	+1.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.45%	11.83%	+1.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.15%	17.33%	-0.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.15%	18.10%	-0.95%

FTGS vs. QUAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTGS has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than QUAL's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTGS vs. QUAL - Dividend Comparison

FTGS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.09%, less than QUAL's 0.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTGS First Trust Growth Strength ETF	0.09%	0.16%	0.39%	0.62%	0.21%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QUAL iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF	0.88%	0.94%	1.02%	1.23%	1.59%	1.20%	1.39%	1.60%	2.00%	1.76%	1.96%	1.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTGS and QUAL in my portfolio?

FTGS and QUAL have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTGS or QUAL?

FTGS has higher volatility (3.33%) compared to QUAL (2.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTGS dropped -19.99% vs QUAL's -34.06%.

Which ETF is better, FTGS or QUAL?

On 3-year performance, QUAL leads with 19.66% vs 18.88% for FTGS. On fees, QUAL is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, QUAL has been the lower-risk option at 2.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTGS or QUAL?

Over the 3-year period, QUAL has performed better with a 19.66% return vs 18.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTGS or QUAL?

QUAL is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTGS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTGS or QUAL?

QUAL has the higher dividend yield at 0.88%, compared with 0.09% for FTGS.

What is the main difference between FTGS and QUAL?

FTGS is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while QUAL is Large Cap Blend Equities. FTGS tracks The Growth Strength Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while QUAL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTGS and 0.15% for QUAL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QUAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.84 vs 0.94), 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.