ARTY vs. FTXL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ARTY (iShares Future AI & Tech ETF) and FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ARTY is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Global Artificial Intelligence Select Index, while FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ARTY returned 14.13%/yr vs 34.63%/yr for FTXL. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ARTY charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXL.

Performance

ARTY vs. FTXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (ARTY) and First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARTY achieves a 66.09% return, which is significantly lower than FTXL's 115.70% return.

ARTY

• 1D: -0.90%
• 1M: 26.10%
• YTD: 66.09%
• 6M: 63.47%
• 1Y: 112.42%
• 3Y*: 36.54%
• 5Y*: 14.13%
• 10Y*: —

FTXL

• 1D: 2.21%
• 1M: 30.59%
• YTD: 115.70%
• 6M: 113.17%
• 1Y: 225.15%
• 3Y*: 61.52%
• 5Y*: 34.63%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ARTY vs. FTXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ARTY iShares Future AI & Tech ETF	66.09%	29.97%	8.02%	36.37%	-37.89%	6.32%	48.85%	34.47%	-14.31%
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	115.70%	48.94%	7.59%	54.41%	-33.88%	36.04%	46.08%	61.77%	-18.50%

Correlation

The correlation between ARTY and FTXL is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 29, 2018	0.80

The correlation between ARTY and FTXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

ARTY vs. FTXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ARTY	FTXL
Technology	87.7%	99.5%
Industrials	5.3%	0.5%
Communication Services	3.5%	-
Utilities	1.7%	-
Real Estate	1.2%	-
Healthcare	0.6%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-

Return for Risk

ARTY vs. FTXL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ARTY

ARTY Risk / Return Rank: 90
ARTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
ARTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
ARTY Omega Ratio Rank: 87
ARTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
ARTY Martin Ratio Rank: 90

FTXL

FTXL Risk / Return Rank: 97
FTXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
FTXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
FTXL Omega Ratio Rank: 96
FTXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
FTXL Martin Ratio Rank: 98

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ARTY vs. FTXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (ARTY) and First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	ARTY	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.78	6.33	-2.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.13	5.74	-1.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.78	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.01	15.62	-9.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.88	58.28	-37.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ARTY vs. FTXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARTY Sharpe Ratio is 3.78, which is lower than the FTXL Sharpe Ratio of 6.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARTY and FTXL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ARTY	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.78	6.33	-2.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.97	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	0.94	-0.30

Drawdowns

ARTY vs. FTXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARTY drawdown since its inception was -54.50%, which is greater than FTXL's maximum drawdown of -43.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARTY and FTXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARTY	FTXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.50%	-43.87%	-10.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.81%	-14.51%	-4.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.44%	-41.57%	+9.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.53%	-43.87%	-6.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.90%	0.00%	-0.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.85%	-10.56%	-9.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.40%	3.88%	+1.52%

Volatility

ARTY vs. FTXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (ARTY) is 12.01%, while First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) has a volatility of 14.28%. This indicates that ARTY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARTY	FTXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.01%	14.28%	-2.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.12%	28.98%	-3.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.94%	35.94%	-6.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.58%	36.02%	-7.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.75%	34.25%	-6.50%

ARTY vs. FTXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARTY has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than FTXL's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARTY vs. FTXL - Dividend Comparison

ARTY has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FTXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.12%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
ARTY iShares Future AI & Tech ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.50%	0.88%	0.75%	2.41%	0.53%	0.69%	0.34%	0.00%	0.00%
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	0.12%	0.28%	0.54%	0.60%	0.89%	0.25%	0.48%	0.92%	0.71%	0.47%	0.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARTY and FTXL in my portfolio?

ARTY and FTXL have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ARTY or FTXL?

FTXL has higher volatility (14.28%) compared to ARTY (12.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARTY dropped -54.50% vs FTXL's -43.87%.

Which ETF is better, ARTY or FTXL?

On 5-year performance, FTXL leads with 34.63% vs 14.13% for ARTY. On fees, ARTY is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, ARTY has been the lower-risk option at 12.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ARTY or FTXL?

Over the 5-year period, FTXL has performed better with a 34.63% return vs 14.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ARTY or FTXL?

ARTY is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTXL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ARTY or FTXL?

FTXL has the higher dividend yield at 0.12%, compared with 0.00% for ARTY.

What is the main difference between ARTY and FTXL?

ARTY is categorized as Technology Equities, while FTXL is Semiconductors. ARTY tracks Morningstar Global Artificial Intelligence Select Index, while FTXL tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for ARTY and 0.60% for FTXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.33 vs 3.78), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.