FTXG vs SPY
First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, FTXG or SPY?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.7%.
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 | FTXG | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $19M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.49% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 62 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +8.85% | +11.52%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.07% | +17.48%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -0.22% | +20.62%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.17% | +12.73%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.3%Best | 15.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.8%Best | -34.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,599 | $18,205Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 62.7% | 38.0%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 20, 2016 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 10, 2016 to Sep 10, 2026 (9.9 years).
FTXG 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 9.9 years both funds cover.
FTXG vs SPY Performance
First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF (FTXG) 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 FTXG returned +5.07% while SPY returned +17.48%. Year to date, FTXG is up 8.85% versus a gain of 11.52% for SPY.
Over three years, FTXG compounded at -0.22% per year against +20.62% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +1.17% and +12.73% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +14.34% annualized vs +2.63%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.5% compared with 14.3% for FTXG. 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 -33.8% for FTXG 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 0.58. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTXG 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, FTXG currently yields 2.49% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
77.4% of FTXG's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 1.4% of SPY's money is in holdings FTXG also owns.
Most of FTXG is already inside SPY. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
16 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in FTXG and 504 in SPY, against full books of 62 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 478 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for FTXG (98.1% of the fund), and 13 for FTXG that do not appear in SPY (20.3%).
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 FTXG | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADMArcher-Daniels-Midland Co. | 9.65% | 0.06% | 9.59% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 8.91% | 0.50% | 8.41% |
| KHCKraft Heinz Co. | 8.55% | 0.03% | 8.52% |
| MDLZMondelez International Inc. Class A | 8.26% | 0.12% | 8.14% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 6.78% | 0.29% | 6.49% |
| MNSTMonster Beverage Corp. | 4.41% | 0.10% | 4.31% |
| CTVACorteva Inc. | 4.33% | 0.08% | 4.25% |
| KDPKeurig Dr Pepper Inc. | 4.31% | 0.06% | 4.25% |
| GISGeneral Mills Inc. | 3.73% | 0.03% | 3.70% |
| TSNTyson Foods Inc. Class A | 3.48% | 0.02% | 3.46% |
77.4% of FTXG 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, FTXG or SPY?
FTXG 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, FTXG or SPY?
Over the past year FTXG returned +5.07% vs +17.48% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), FTXG annualized +2.63% vs +14.34% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTXG or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.5% annualized versus 14.3% for FTXG. Worst drawdown: FTXG -33.8% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both FTXG and SPY?
FTXG and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.58, 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 FTXG and SPY?
77.4% of FTXG's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 1.4% of SPY's is in holdings FTXG also owns. They hold 16 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in FTXG and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTXG or SPY?
FTXG yields 2.49% while SPY yields 0.98%, so FTXG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than FTXG?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.