FICS vs SPY
First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, FICS or SPY?
All Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FICS is less concentrated, with 23.4% 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 | FICS | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $208M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.81% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 56 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +3.42% | +12.09%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.36% | +16.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.33% | +21.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.78% | +13.37%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6%Best | 15.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -29.2% | -24.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,630 | $18,728Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 23.4%Best | 37.8% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 15, 2020 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 16, 2020 to Sep 18, 2026 (5.8 years).
FICS 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 5.8 years both funds cover.
FICS vs SPY Performance
First Trust International Developed Capital Strength ETF (FICS) 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 FICS returned +8.36% while SPY returned +16.29%. Year to date, FICS is up 3.42% versus a gain of 12.09% for SPY.
Over three years, FICS compounded at +11.33% per year against +21.20% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +4.78% and +13.37% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +14.83% annualized vs +7.12%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% compared with 14.6% for FICS. 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 -29.2% for FICS and -24.5% 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FICS charges 0.70% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $9 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FICS currently yields 1.81% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 50 holdings in FICS and 504 in SPY, totalling 99.7% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FICS and 504 in SPY, against full books of 56 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 497 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for FICS (99.3% of the fund), and 2 for FICS that do not appear in SPY (4.2%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FICS and SPY 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, FICS or SPY?
FICS has an expense ratio of 0.70% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $61 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FICS or SPY?
Over the past year FICS returned +8.36% vs +16.29% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), FICS annualized +7.12% vs +14.83% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FICS or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 14.6% for FICS. Worst drawdown: FICS -29.2% vs SPY -24.5%.
Should I hold both FICS and SPY?
FICS and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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, FICS or SPY?
FICS yields 1.81% while SPY yields 0.98%, so FICS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than FICS?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FICS is less concentrated, with 23.4% 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.