FTCS vs SPIN
First Trust Capital Strength ETF vs State Street US Equity Premium Income ETF
Which is better, FTCS or SPIN?
SPIN has been ahead.
SPIN has a lower expense ratio. SPIN led over 1Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.1%.
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 | SPIN |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.52% | 0.25%Best |
| AUM | $7.5B | $47M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.22% | 4.88% |
| Holdings | 102 | 101 |
| YTD Return | +6.41%Best | +3.68% |
| 1Y Return | +5.59% | +7.62%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.51% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.06% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.5% | 9.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -12.6%Best | -16.9% |
| $10,000 over 2.1 years | $11,210 | $12,500Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.5%Best | 47.1% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 6, 2006 | Sep 4, 2024 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 5, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.1 years).
FTCS vs SPIN 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 2.1 years both funds cover.
FTCS vs SPIN Performance
First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and State Street US Equity Premium Income ETF (SPIN) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year FTCS returned +5.59% while SPIN returned +7.62%. Year to date, FTCS is up 6.41% versus a gain of 3.68% for SPIN.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTCS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.5% compared with 9.0% for SPIN. 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 -12.6% for FTCS and -16.9% for SPIN. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.45. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTCS charges 0.52% per year while SPIN charges 0.25%. On a $10,000 position that is $52 vs $25 annually, a gap of $27 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTCS currently yields 1.22% against 4.88% for SPIN.
Holdings Overlap
28.0% of FTCS's money is in holdings SPIN also owns. 15.5% of SPIN's money is in holdings FTCS also owns.
FTCS and SPIN share little of their money.
14 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 96 in SPIN, against full books of 102 and 101.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 81 positions for SPIN that do not appear in our book for FTCS (83.7% of the fund), and 36 for FTCS that do not appear in SPIN (71.9%).
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 SPIN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 2.07% | 5.97% | 3.90% |
| VVisa Inc. Cl A | 2.08% | 1.48% | 0.60% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson | 2.09% | 1.00% | 1.09% |
| MAMastercard Inc. Cl A | 2.10% | 0.93% | 1.17% |
| HDHome Depot Inc | 1.73% | 1.27% | 0.46% |
| MRKMerck & Co. Inc. | 2.34% | 0.65% | 1.69% |
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 1.93% | 0.97% | 0.96% |
| MMCMarsh + Mclennan Cos | 1.93% | 0.75% | 1.18% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 1.89% | 0.69% | 1.20% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 2.00% | 0.53% | 1.47% |
28.0% of FTCS is already inside SPIN.
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 SPIN?
FTCS has an expense ratio of 0.52% while SPIN charges 0.25%. SPIN is the cheaper option, by $27 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTCS or SPIN?
Over the past year FTCS returned +5.59% vs +7.62% for SPIN, so SPIN leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), FTCS annualized +5.59% vs +11.21% for SPIN. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTCS or SPIN?
FTCS has been the more volatile fund at 11.5% annualized versus 9.0% for SPIN. Worst drawdown: FTCS -12.6% vs SPIN -16.9%.
Should I hold both FTCS and SPIN?
FTCS and SPIN have a monthly-return correlation of 0.45, 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 FTCS and SPIN?
28.0% of FTCS's money is in holdings SPIN also owns. 15.5% of SPIN's is in holdings FTCS also owns. They hold 14 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 96 in SPIN.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTCS or SPIN?
FTCS yields 1.22% while SPIN yields 4.88%, so SPIN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPIN better than FTCS?
SPIN has a lower expense ratio. SPIN led over 1Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.