FTDS vs SPY
First Trust Dividend Strength ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, FTDS or SPY?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. FTDS led over 1Y, SPY over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTDS is less concentrated, with 22.2% 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 | FTDS | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $40M | $814.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.53% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 102 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +17.14%Best | +13.34% |
| 1Y Return | +20.77%Best | +19.97% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.34% | +21.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.19% | +12.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.4% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -54.7%Best | -56.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,823 | $18,270Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.2%Best | 38.0% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 5, 2006 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 7, 2006 to Sep 4, 2026 (19.7 years).
FTDS 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 19.7 years both funds cover.
FTDS vs SPY Performance
First Trust Dividend Strength ETF (FTDS) 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 FTDS returned +20.77% while SPY returned +19.97%. Year to date, FTDS is up 17.14% versus a gain of 13.34% for SPY.
Over three years, FTDS compounded at +17.34% per year against +21.20% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +8.19% and +12.81% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +9.38% annualized vs +6.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTDS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.4% compared with 15.4% 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 -54.7% for FTDS and -56.5% 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTDS 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, FTDS currently yields 1.53% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
76.5% of FTDS's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 2.4% of SPY's money is in holdings FTDS also owns.
Most of FTDS is already inside SPY. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
38 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTDS and 504 in SPY, against full books of 102 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 458 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for FTDS (97.0% of the fund), and 11 for FTDS that do not appear in SPY (21.5%).
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 FTDS | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTSHCognizant Technology Solutions Corp. Class A | 2.42% | 0.04% | 2.38% |
| GRMNGarminltd. | 2.36% | 0.08% | 2.28% |
| ALLEAllegion Plc | 2.39% | 0.02% | 2.37% |
| INTUIntuit, Inc. | 2.19% | 0.13% | 2.06% |
| BKRBaker Hughes Co | 2.14% | 0.09% | 2.05% |
| DGXQuest Diagnostics Inc | 2.18% | 0.04% | 2.14% |
| NOCNorthrop Grumman Corp. | 2.08% | 0.11% | 1.97% |
| MMCMarsh & Mclennan Cos Inc Common Stock Usd 1 | 2.05% | 0.14% | 1.91% |
| GDGeneral Dynamics Corp. | 2.03% | 0.15% | 1.88% |
| ELVElevance Health Inc | 2.04% | 0.12% | 1.92% |
76.5% of FTDS 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, FTDS or SPY?
FTDS 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, FTDS or SPY?
Over the past year FTDS returned +20.77% vs +19.97% for SPY, so FTDS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), FTDS annualized +6.82% vs +9.38% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTDS or SPY?
FTDS has been the more volatile fund at 17.4% annualized versus 15.4% for SPY. Worst drawdown: FTDS -54.7% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both FTDS and SPY?
FTDS and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 FTDS and SPY?
76.5% of FTDS's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 2.4% of SPY's is in holdings FTDS also owns. They hold 38 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTDS and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTDS or SPY?
FTDS yields 1.53% while SPY yields 1.01%, so FTDS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than FTDS?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. FTDS led over 1Y, SPY over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTDS is less concentrated, with 22.2% 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.