ASD vs. FTXH

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

ASD (Defiance Autism Impact ETF) and FTXH (First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ASD charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXH.

Performance

ASD vs. FTXH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Autism Impact ETF (ASD) and First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

ASD

• 1D: -1.26%
• 1M: 8.60%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

FTXH

• 1D: -1.60%
• 1M: 7.77%
• 6M: 14.90%
• YTD: 15.93%
• 1Y: 48.19%
• 3Y*: 14.04%
• 5Y*: 9.32%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.89%

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

ASD vs. FTXH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
ASD Defiance Autism Impact ETF	9.23%
FTXH First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF	10.83%

Correlation

The correlation between ASD and FTXH is 0.72, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 2, 2026	0.72

Return for Risk

ASD vs. FTXH — Risk / Return Rank

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

ASD

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

FTXH

FTXH Risk / Return Rank: 94
FTXH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
FTXH Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
FTXH Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FTXH Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
FTXH Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

ASD vs. FTXH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Autism Impact ETF (ASD) and First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	ASD	FTXH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	2.77	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	4.10	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.46	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	6.48	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	18.87	—

Drawdowns

ASD vs. FTXH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ASD drawdown since its inception was -2.93%, smaller than the maximum FTXH drawdown of -32.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ASD and FTXH.

Drawdown Indicators

	ASD	FTXH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.93%	-32.11%	+29.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-7.47%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.51%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.51%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.79%	-3.61%	+0.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.99%	-5.78%	+4.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.56%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ASD	FTXH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	6.04%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	12.71%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.76%	17.49%	-0.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.76%	16.51%	+0.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.76%	18.44%	-1.68%

ASD vs. FTXH - Expense Ratio Comparison

ASD has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than FTXH's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

ASD vs. FTXH - Dividend Comparison

ASD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.02%, less than FTXH's 1.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
ASD Defiance Autism Impact ETF	0.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FTXH First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF	1.11%	1.41%	1.66%	1.55%	1.11%	1.03%	0.82%	0.67%	0.91%	2.18%	0.19%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ASD and FTXH in my portfolio?

ASD and FTXH have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ASD or FTXH?

On fees, FTXH is cheaper at 0.60% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ASD or FTXH?

FTXH is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for ASD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ASD or FTXH?

FTXH has the higher dividend yield at 1.11%, compared with 0.02% for ASD.

What is the main difference between ASD and FTXH?

They also come from different issuers: Defiance and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for ASD and 0.60% for FTXH.