FTCS vs NUDG
First Trust Capital Strength ETF vs Nuveen Dividend Growth Fund ETF
Which is better, FTCS or NUDG?
NUDG has been ahead.
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. NUDG led over 1Y. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.3%.
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 | NUDG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.52%Best | 0.61% |
| AUM | $7.5B | $6.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.22% | 0.50% |
| Holdings | 102 | 43 |
| YTD Return | +6.41%Best | +2.67% |
| 1Y Return | +5.59% | - |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.51% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.06% | - |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.5%Best | 42.3% |
| 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.
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 6.41% versus a gain of 2.67% for NUDG.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTCS charges 0.52% per year while NUDG charges 0.61%. On a $10,000 position that is $52 vs $61 annually, a gap of $9 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTCS currently yields 1.22% against 0.50% for NUDG.
Holdings Overlap
21.5% of FTCS's money is in holdings NUDG also owns. 25.0% of NUDG's money is in holdings FTCS also owns.
NUDG and FTCS share little of their money.
11 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 42 in NUDG, against full books of 102 and 43.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 30 positions for NUDG that do not appear in our book for FTCS (69.5% of the fund), and 39 for FTCS that do not appear in NUDG (78.4%).
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 NUDG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 2.07% | 6.37% | 4.30% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 2.10% | 2.54% | 0.44% |
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 1.93% | 2.45% | 0.52% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 2.34% | 1.95% | 0.39% |
| AXPAmerican Express Co. | 1.76% | 2.24% | 0.48% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 1.91% | 1.77% | 0.14% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 1.89% | 1.79% | 0.10% |
| TJXTjx Cos., Inc. | 1.78% | 1.81% | 0.03% |
| MMCMarsh & Mclennan Cos Inc Common Stock Usd 1 | 1.93% | 1.61% | 0.32% |
| NOCNorthrop Grumman Corp. | 1.89% | 1.43% | 0.46% |
25.0% of NUDG 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 NUDG?
FTCS has an expense ratio of 0.52% while NUDG charges 0.61%. FTCS is the cheaper option, by $9 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between FTCS and NUDG?
25.0% of NUDG's money is in holdings FTCS also owns. 25.0% of NUDG's is in holdings FTCS also owns. They hold 11 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 42 in NUDG.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTCS or NUDG?
FTCS yields 1.22% while NUDG yields 0.50%, so FTCS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is NUDG better than FTCS?
FTCS has a lower expense ratio. NUDG led over 1Y. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.