FCT vs IVV
First Trust Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FCT or IVV?
Bank Loan against Large Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | FCT | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.67% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $252M | $886.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 11.84% | 1.10% |
| Holdings | 221 | 508 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.8% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -72.7% | -56.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 22.2 years | $8,442 | $74,685Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Bank Loan | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 25, 2004 | May 15, 2000 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 28 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. FCT has data through Aug 7, 2026 and IVV through Sep 4, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 22.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 26, 2004 to Aug 7, 2026 (22.2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FCT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 14.7% for IVV. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -72.7% for FCT and -56.5% for IVV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.57. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FCT charges 1.67% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $167 vs $3 annually, a gap of $164 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FCT currently yields 11.84% against 1.10% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 106 holdings in FCT and 505 in IVV, totalling 53.8% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 159 days apart, FCT as of Feb 27, 2026 and IVV as of Aug 5, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 106 positions we hold weights for in FCT and 505 in IVV, against full books of 221 and 508.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FCT and IVV you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FCT or IVV?
FCT has an expense ratio of 1.67% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $164 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, FCT or IVV?
FCT has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 14.7% for IVV. Worst drawdown: FCT -72.7% vs IVV -56.5%.
Should I hold both FCT and IVV?
FCT and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.57, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, FCT or IVV?
FCT yields 11.84% while IVV yields 1.10%, so FCT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than FCT?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.