FCTR vs IVV
First Trust Lunt US Factor Rotation ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FCTR or IVV?
IVV has been ahead.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FCTR is less concentrated, with 15.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%.
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 | FCTR | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $56M | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.47% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 331 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +5.81% | +13.32%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.57% | +17.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.63% | +22.72%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.14% | +13.20%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.0% | 16.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -37.1% | -33.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,117 | $18,588Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 15.7%Best | 37.8% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 23, 2018 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 26, 2018 to Sep 23, 2026 (8.2 years).
FCTR vs IVV growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 8.2 years both funds cover.
FCTR vs IVV Performance
First Trust Lunt US Factor Rotation ETF (FCTR) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year FCTR returned +8.57% while IVV returned +17.08%. Year to date, FCTR is up 5.81% versus a gain of 13.32% for IVV.
Over three years, FCTR compounded at +16.63% per year against +22.72% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +2.14% and +13.20% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +14.07% annualized vs +8.95%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FCTR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.0% compared with 16.7% 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 -37.1% for FCTR and -33.9% 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FCTR charges 0.65% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $3 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FCTR currently yields 0.47% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
87.4% of FCTR's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 28.9% of IVV's money is in holdings FCTR also owns.
Most of FCTR is already inside IVV. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
147 positions in common, counted across the 166 positions we hold weights for in FCTR and 490 in IVV, against full books of 331 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 336 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for FCTR (69.8% of the fund), and 17 for FCTR that do not appear in IVV (10.7%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FCTR | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 0.30% | 5.69% | 5.39% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 1.59% | 0.95% | 0.64% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 1.47% | 0.72% | 0.75% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.16% | 0.97% | 0.19% |
| CNCCentene | 2.04% | 0.05% | 1.99% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 0.47% | 1.44% | 0.97% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 1.23% | 0.52% | 0.71% |
| ALLAllstate Corp. | 1.61% | 0.10% | 1.51% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 0.28% | 1.38% | 1.10% |
| BKBank Of New York Mellon Corp | 1.31% | 0.17% | 1.14% |
87.4% of FCTR is already inside IVV.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FCTR or IVV?
FCTR has an expense ratio of 0.65% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FCTR or IVV?
Over the past year FCTR returned +8.57% vs +17.08% for IVV, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), FCTR annualized +8.95% vs +14.07% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FCTR or IVV?
FCTR has been the more volatile fund at 20.0% annualized versus 16.7% for IVV. Worst drawdown: FCTR -37.1% vs IVV -33.9%.
Should I hold both FCTR and IVV?
FCTR and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between FCTR and IVV?
87.4% of FCTR's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 28.9% of IVV's is in holdings FCTR also owns. They hold 147 positions in common, counted across the 166 positions we hold weights for in FCTR and 490 in IVV.
Which pays a higher dividend, FCTR or IVV?
FCTR yields 0.47% while IVV yields 1.06%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than FCTR?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FCTR is less concentrated, with 15.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.