FTCS vs SPYM
First Trust Capital Strength ETF vs State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FTCS or SPYM?
SPYM has been ahead.
SPYM has a lower expense ratio. SPYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.0%.
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 | FTCS | SPYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.52% | 0.02%Best |
| AUM | $7.5B | $185.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.22% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 102 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +6.41% | +13.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.59% | +17.53%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.51% | +22.46%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.06% | +13.29%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.3%Best | 14.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -31.9%Best | -34.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,420 | $18,662Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.5%Best | 39.0% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 6, 2006 | Nov 8, 2005 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 18, 2014 to Oct 14, 2026 (12.7 years).
FTCS vs SPYM 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 12.7 years both funds cover.
FTCS vs SPYM Performance
First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year FTCS returned +5.59% while SPYM returned +17.53%. Year to date, FTCS is up 6.41% versus a gain of 13.57% for SPYM.
Over three years, FTCS compounded at +10.51% per year against +22.46% for SPYM; over five years the annualized figures are +6.06% and +13.29% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, SPYM has the edge at +12.62% annualized vs +9.51%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% compared with 13.3% for FTCS. 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 -31.9% for FTCS and -34.3% for SPYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTCS charges 0.52% per year while SPYM charges 0.02%. On a $10,000 position that is $52 vs $2 annually, a gap of $50 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTCS currently yields 1.22% against 1.01% for SPYM.
Holdings Overlap
97.9% of FTCS's money is in holdings SPYM also owns. 17.4% of SPYM's money is in holdings FTCS also owns.
Most of FTCS is already inside SPYM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
49 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 505 in SPYM, against full books of 102 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 449 positions for SPYM that do not appear in our book for FTCS (81.9% of the fund), and 1 for FTCS that do not appear in SPYM (2.0%).
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 SPYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 2.07% | 7.30% | 5.23% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson | 2.09% | 0.92% | 1.17% |
| VVisa Inc. Cl A | 2.08% | 0.92% | 1.16% |
| MRKMerck & Co. Inc. | 2.34% | 0.53% | 1.81% |
| MAMastercard Inc. Cl A | 2.10% | 0.67% | 1.43% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 2.17% | 0.50% | 1.67% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc | 2.27% | 0.33% | 1.94% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 1.89% | 0.70% | 1.19% |
| GILDGilead Sciences Inc | 2.23% | 0.27% | 1.96% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 2.00% | 0.50% | 1.50% |
97.9% of FTCS is already inside SPYM.
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 SPYM?
FTCS has an expense ratio of 0.52% while SPYM charges 0.02%. SPYM is the cheaper option, by $50 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTCS or SPYM?
Over the past year FTCS returned +5.59% vs +17.53% for SPYM, so SPYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), FTCS annualized +9.51% vs +12.62% for SPYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTCS or SPYM?
SPYM has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 13.3% for FTCS. Worst drawdown: FTCS -31.9% vs SPYM -34.3%.
Should I hold both FTCS and SPYM?
FTCS and SPYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 SPYM?
97.9% of FTCS's money is in holdings SPYM also owns. 17.4% of SPYM's is in holdings FTCS also owns. They hold 49 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 505 in SPYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTCS or SPYM?
FTCS yields 1.22% while SPYM yields 1.01%, so FTCS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPYM better than FTCS?
SPYM has a lower expense ratio. SPYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.