FTCS vs NDVG
First Trust Capital Strength ETF vs Nuveen Dividend Growth ETF
Which is better, FTCS or NDVG?
NDVG has been ahead.
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. NDVG led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.3%.
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 | NDVG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.52%Best | 0.65% |
| AUM | $7.5B | $13M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.22% | 1.09% |
| Holdings | 102 | 43 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.2% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -20.9% | -19.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.7 years | $12,690 | $14,252Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.5%Best | 43.3% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Nuveen |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 6, 2006 | Aug 4, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 191 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. FTCS has data through Oct 14, 2026 and NDVG through Apr 6, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 5, 2021 to Apr 6, 2026 (4.7 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTCS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.2% compared with 14.1% for NDVG. 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 -20.9% for FTCS and -19.7% for NDVG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTCS charges 0.52% per year while NDVG charges 0.65%. On a $10,000 position that is $52 vs $65 annually, a gap of $13 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTCS currently yields 1.22% against 1.09% for NDVG.
Holdings Overlap
17.3% of FTCS's money is in holdings NDVG also owns. 22.7% of NDVG's money is in holdings FTCS also owns.
NDVG and FTCS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 275 days apart, FTCS as of Oct 2, 2026 and NDVG as of Dec 31, 2025, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
9 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 41 in NDVG, against full books of 102 and 43.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 28 positions for NDVG that do not appear in our book for FTCS (65.8% of the fund), and 41 for FTCS that do not appear in NDVG (82.6%).
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 FTCS | Weight in NDVG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 2.07% | 6.70% | 4.63% |
| AXPAmerican Express Co. | 1.76% | 3.36% | 1.60% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 2.10% | 2.76% | 0.66% |
| TJXTjx Cos., Inc. | 1.78% | 2.40% | 0.62% |
| LINLinde Plc (united Kingdom) | 1.93% | 1.72% | 0.21% |
| MMCMarsh & Mclennan Cos Inc Common Stock Usd 1 | 1.93% | 1.62% | 0.31% |
| NOCNorthrop Grumman Corp. | 1.89% | 1.59% | 0.30% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 1.91% | 1.44% | 0.47% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 1.90% | 1.11% | 0.79% |
22.7% of NDVG is already inside FTCS.
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, FTCS or NDVG?
FTCS has an expense ratio of 0.52% while NDVG charges 0.65%. FTCS is the cheaper option, by $13 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, FTCS or NDVG?
FTCS has been the more volatile fund at 14.2% annualized versus 14.1% for NDVG. Worst drawdown: FTCS -20.9% vs NDVG -19.7%.
Should I hold both FTCS and NDVG?
FTCS and NDVG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, 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 FTCS and NDVG?
22.7% of NDVG's money is in holdings FTCS also owns. 22.7% of NDVG's is in holdings FTCS also owns. They hold 9 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 41 in NDVG.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTCS or NDVG?
FTCS yields 1.22% while NDVG yields 1.09%, so FTCS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is NDVG better than FTCS?
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. NDVG led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.