FTCS vs NUDG
First Trust Capital Strength ETF vs Nuveen Dividend Growth Fund ETF
Which is better, FTCS or NUDG?
FTCS has been ahead.
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. FTCS led over 1Y.
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 | FTCS | NUDG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.53%Best | 0.61% |
| AUM | $8.1B | $5.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.12% | 0.48% |
| Holdings | 52 | 43 |
| YTD Return | +14.44%Best | +4.67% |
| 1Y Return | +15.13% | - |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.75% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.60% | - |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Nuveen |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 6, 2006 | Jun 2, 2026 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
FTCS vs NUDG 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
FTCS vs NUDG Performance
First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Nuveen Dividend Growth Fund ETF (NUDG) is an ETF from Nuveen. Year to date, FTCS is up 14.44% versus a gain of 4.67% for NUDG.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTCS charges 0.53% per year while NUDG charges 0.61%. On a $10,000 position that is $53 vs $61 annually, a gap of $8 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTCS currently yields 1.12% against 0.48% for NUDG.
Holdings Overlap
At least 16.0% of FTCS's money is in holdings NUDG also owns.
Stated as a floor: for NUDG, our book for it covers 91.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
FTCS and NUDG share little of their money.
8 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 37 in NUDG, against full books of 52 and 43.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FTCS | Weight in NUDG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 1.95% | 6.86% | 4.91% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 2.01% | 2.80% | 0.79% |
| TJXTjx Cos., Inc. | 1.85% | 2.38% | 0.53% |
| AXPAmerican Express Co. | 1.97% | 2.20% | 0.23% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 2.01% | 2.13% | 0.12% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 2.05% | 1.73% | 0.32% |
| NOCNorthrop Grumman Corp. | 2.10% | 1.41% | 0.69% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 2.03% | 1.01% | 1.02% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTCS and NUDG 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, FTCS or NUDG?
FTCS has an expense ratio of 0.53% while NUDG charges 0.61%. FTCS is the cheaper option, by $8 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between FTCS and NUDG?
At least 16.0% of FTCS's money is in holdings NUDG also owns. Our book for NUDG is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 37 in NUDG.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTCS or NUDG?
FTCS yields 1.12% while NUDG yields 0.48%, so FTCS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is NUDG better than FTCS?
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. FTCS led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.