FTGS vs SPY
First Trust Growth Strength ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, FTGS or SPY?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. FTGS is less concentrated, with 23.8% 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 | FTGS | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $1.3B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.08% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 102 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +7.81% | +12.47%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.69% | +17.51%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.66% | +21.18%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.88% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6% | 13.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -20.0% | -18.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.9 years | $19,076 | $21,113Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 23.8%Best | 38.0% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 25, 2022 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 26, 2022 to Sep 11, 2026 (3.9 years).
FTGS 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 3.9 years both funds cover.
FTGS vs SPY Performance
First Trust Growth Strength ETF (FTGS) 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 FTGS returned +5.69% while SPY returned +17.51%. Year to date, FTGS is up 7.81% versus a gain of 12.47% for SPY.
Over three years, FTGS compounded at +16.66% per year against +21.18% for SPY. Across the full 4-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +21.12% annualized vs +18.01%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTGS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 13.0% 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 -20.0% for FTGS and -18.8% 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTGS charges 0.60% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $9 annually, a gap of $51 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTGS currently yields 0.08% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
96.3% of FTGS's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 27.0% of SPY's money is in holdings FTGS also owns.
Most of FTGS is already inside SPY. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
48 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTGS and 504 in SPY, against full books of 102 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 446 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for FTGS (72.5% of the fund), and 2 for FTGS that do not appear in SPY (3.5%).
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 FTGS | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 2.08% | 7.71% | 5.63% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 2.46% | 5.50% | 3.04% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.91% | 2.97% | 1.06% |
| METAMeta Platforms, Inc. | 1.69% | 1.94% | 0.25% |
| PLTRPalantir Technologies Inc | 2.69% | 0.56% | 2.13% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.87% | 1.33% | 0.54% |
| NEMNewmont Corp. | 2.68% | 0.16% | 2.52% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 2.07% | 0.69% | 1.38% |
| NFLXNetflix, Inc. | 2.24% | 0.47% | 1.77% |
| COSTCostco Wholesale Corp. | 1.91% | 0.63% | 1.28% |
96.3% of FTGS 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, FTGS or SPY?
FTGS has an expense ratio of 0.60% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $51 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTGS or SPY?
Over the past year FTGS returned +5.69% vs +17.51% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), FTGS annualized +18.01% vs +21.12% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTGS or SPY?
FTGS has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 13.0% for SPY. Worst drawdown: FTGS -20.0% vs SPY -18.8%.
Should I hold both FTGS and SPY?
FTGS and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between FTGS and SPY?
96.3% of FTGS's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 27.0% of SPY's is in holdings FTGS also owns. They hold 48 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTGS and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTGS or SPY?
FTGS yields 0.08% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than FTGS?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. FTGS is less concentrated, with 23.8% 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.