First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) belongs to the Semiconductors category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with FTXL. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to FTXL
FTXL charges 0.60% annually. There are 9 ETFs in the Semiconductors category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.15%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xtrackers Semiconductor Select Equity ETF | 0.15% | 97.12M | Jul 2023 | FTXL vs CHPS | |
| Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF | 0.19% | 2.58B | Jun 2021 | FTXL vs SOXQ | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | 0.34% | 44.69B | Jul 2001 | FTXL vs SOXX | |
| VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF | 0.35% | 249.42M | Aug 2024 | FTXL vs SMHX | |
| SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF | 0.35% | 2.69B | Jan 2006 | FTXL vs XSD |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to FTXL
FTXL has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 91. There are 2 ETFs in the Semiconductors category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 98.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direxion Daily MU Bull 2X Shares | 98 | 3.86B | Oct 2024 | FTXL vs MUU | |
| Xtrackers Semiconductor Select Equity ETF | 92 | 97.12M | Jul 2023 | FTXL vs CHPS | |
| Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF | 90 | 19.56B | Mar 2010 | FTXL vs SOXL | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | 90 | 44.69B | Jul 2001 | FTXL vs SOXX | |
| Invesco Semiconductors ETF | 90 | 2.34B | Jun 2005 | FTXL vs PSI |
Top Performing FTXL Alternatives (YTD)
FTXL is at 67.20% YTD. There are 5 ETFs in the Semiconductors category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 372.51%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direxion Daily MU Bull 2X Shares | 372.51% | 3.86B | Oct 2024 | FTXL vs MUU | |
| Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF | 172.95% | 19.56B | Mar 2010 | FTXL vs SOXL | |
| Invesco Semiconductors ETF | 73.04% | 2.34B | Jun 2005 | FTXL vs PSI | |
| Xtrackers Semiconductor Select Equity ETF | 68.49% | 97.12M | Jul 2023 | FTXL vs CHPS | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | 67.84% | 44.69B | Jul 2001 | FTXL vs SOXX |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to FTXL
FTXL has 46.28% 1-year volatility. There are 14 ETFs in the Semiconductors category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 19.01%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GraniteShares YieldBOOST MU ETF | 19.01% | 15.91M | Apr 2026 | FTXL vs MUYY | |
| GraniteShares YieldBOOST TSM ETF | 19.72% | 1.15M | Apr 2026 | FTXL vs TMYY | |
| GraniteShares YieldBOOST Semiconductors ETF | 25.05% | 74.80M | Nov 2025 | FTXL vs SEMY | |
| Columbia Select Technology ETF | 27.60% | 37.44M | Mar 2022 | FTXL vs SEMI | |
| YieldMax Semiconductor Portfolio Option Income ETF | 38.28% | 1.02B | Apr 2025 | FTXL vs CHPY |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to FTXL
FTXL has a 1-year max drawdown of -32.64%. There are 9 ETFs in the Semiconductors category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -15.42%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Select Technology ETF | -15.42% | 37.44M | Mar 2022 | FTXL vs SEMI | |
| VanEck Semiconductor ETF | -24.62% | 68.10B | Dec 2011 | FTXL vs SMH | |
| VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF | -24.93% | 249.42M | Aug 2024 | FTXL vs SMHX | |
| Strive U.S. Semiconductor ETF | -25.20% | 224.59M | Oct 2022 | FTXL vs SHOC | |
| YieldMax Semiconductor Portfolio Option Income ETF | -27.64% | 1.02B | Apr 2025 | FTXL vs CHPY |
Other ETFs from First Trust
The 10 most viewed First Trust ETFs shown here include CIBR, GRID, AIRR and span 16 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $25B.
Often Compared With FTXL
Investors most often compare FTXL with SOXS, XLK, NVDA. These 20 comparison targets span 11 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare FTXL with Any Fund or Stock
Compare FTXL with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair FTXL with funds that move differently
First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to FTXL.
Explore FTXL Diversifiers