FCTR vs SPY
First Trust Lunt US Factor Rotation ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, FCTR or SPY?
SPY has been ahead.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FCTR is less concentrated, with 15.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.0%.
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 | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $57M | $814.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.50% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 331 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +11.17% | +13.34%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.23% | +19.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.31% | +21.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.91% | +12.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.9% | 16.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -37.1% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,542 | $18,270Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 15.9%Best | 38.0% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 23, 2018 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 26, 2018 to Sep 4, 2026 (8.1 years).
FCTR vs SPY 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 8.1 years both funds cover.
FCTR vs SPY Performance
First Trust Lunt US Factor Rotation ETF (FCTR) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year FCTR returned +18.23% while SPY returned +19.97%. Year to date, FCTR is up 11.17% versus a gain of 13.34% for SPY.
Over three years, FCTR compounded at +16.31% per year against +21.20% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +2.91% and +12.81% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +14.16% annualized vs +9.68%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FCTR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.9% compared with 16.7% for SPY. 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 -34.1% for SPY. 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 SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $9 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FCTR currently yields 0.50% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
91.9% of FCTR's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 28.5% of SPY's money is in holdings FCTR also owns.
Most of FCTR is already inside SPY. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
152 positions in common, counted across the 167 positions we hold weights for in FCTR and 504 in SPY, against full books of 331 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 345 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for FCTR (71.0% of the fund), and 13 for FCTR that do not appear in SPY (7.2%).
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 SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 0.29% | 5.50% | 5.21% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 1.59% | 0.92% | 0.67% |
| CNCCentene | 2.19% | 0.05% | 2.14% |
| HUMHumana Inc. | 2.11% | 0.07% | 2.04% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 1.47% | 0.69% | 0.78% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.16% | 0.92% | 0.24% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 0.48% | 1.44% | 0.96% |
| ALLAllstate Corp. | 1.70% | 0.10% | 1.60% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 1.24% | 0.50% | 0.74% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 0.29% | 1.33% | 1.04% |
91.9% of FCTR is already inside SPY.
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 SPY?
FCTR has an expense ratio of 0.65% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FCTR or SPY?
Over the past year FCTR returned +18.23% vs +19.97% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), FCTR annualized +9.68% vs +14.16% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FCTR or SPY?
FCTR has been the more volatile fund at 19.9% annualized versus 16.7% for SPY. Worst drawdown: FCTR -37.1% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both FCTR and SPY?
FCTR and SPY 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 SPY?
91.9% of FCTR's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 28.5% of SPY's is in holdings FCTR also owns. They hold 152 positions in common, counted across the 167 positions we hold weights for in FCTR and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, FCTR or SPY?
FCTR yields 0.50% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than FCTR?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FCTR is less concentrated, with 15.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.