BULD vs. FTXL
BULD (Pacer BlueStar Engineering the Future ETF) and FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BULD is a Technology Equities fund tracking the BlueStar Robotics & 3D Printing Index, while FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, BULD returned 18.64%/yr vs 61.52%/yr for FTXL. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.60% expense ratio.
Performance
BULD vs. FTXL - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BULD achieves a 34.29% return, which is significantly lower than FTXL's 115.70% return.
BULD
- 1D
- -0.38%
- 1M
- 14.07%
- YTD
- 34.29%
- 6M
- 30.65%
- 1Y
- 64.78%
- 3Y*
- 18.64%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FTXL
- 1D
- 2.21%
- 1M
- 30.59%
- YTD
- 115.70%
- 6M
- 113.17%
- 1Y
- 225.15%
- 3Y*
- 61.52%
- 5Y*
- 34.63%
- 10Y*
- —
BULD vs. FTXL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BULD Pacer BlueStar Engineering the Future ETF | 34.29% | 23.20% | -3.93% | 28.27% | -12.41% |
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 115.70% | 48.94% | 7.59% | 54.41% | -13.56% |
Correlation
The correlation between BULD and FTXL is 0.77, 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 | 0.77 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.78 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 6, 2022 | 0.80 |
The correlation between BULD and FTXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
BULD vs. FTXL — Risk / Return Rank
BULD
FTXL
BULD vs. FTXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer BlueStar Engineering the Future ETF (BULD) 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.
| BULD | FTXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -3.99 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.58 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.37 | 1.78 | -0.41 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.21 | 15.62 | -11.41 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.30 | 58.28 | -44.98 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| BULD | FTXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.34 | 6.33 | -3.99 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.97 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.55 | 0.94 | -0.38 |
Drawdowns
BULD vs. FTXL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BULD drawdown since its inception was -27.64%, smaller than the maximum FTXL drawdown of -43.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BULD and FTXL.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| BULD | FTXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -27.64% | -43.87% | +16.23% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.48% | -14.51% | -0.97% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -27.64% | -41.57% | +13.93% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -43.87% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.38% | 0.00% | -0.38% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.30% | -10.56% | +2.26% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.88% | 3.88% | +1.00% |
Volatility
BULD vs. FTXL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Pacer BlueStar Engineering the Future ETF (BULD) is 8.50%, while First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) has a volatility of 14.28%. This indicates that BULD 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.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| BULD | FTXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.50% | 14.28% | -5.78% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 21.34% | 28.98% | -7.64% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.85% | 35.94% | -8.09% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 27.73% | 36.02% | -8.29% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.73% | 34.25% | -6.52% |
BULD vs. FTXL - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both BULD and FTXL have an expense ratio of 0.60%.
Dividends
BULD vs. FTXL - Dividend Comparison
BULD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%, more than FTXL's 0.12% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BULD Pacer BlueStar Engineering the Future ETF | 0.92% | 1.24% | 0.18% | 0.21% | 0.08% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 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
BULD and FTXL have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FTXL has higher volatility (14.28%) compared to BULD (8.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BULD dropped -27.64% vs FTXL's -43.87%.
On 3-year performance, FTXL leads with 61.52% vs 18.64% for BULD. Both ETFs have the same 0.60% expense ratio. On volatility, BULD has been the lower-risk option at 8.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, FTXL has performed better with a 61.52% return vs 18.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BULD and FTXL have the same expense ratio: 0.60% per year.
BULD has the higher dividend yield at 0.92%, compared with 0.12% for FTXL.
BULD is categorized as Technology Equities, while FTXL is Semiconductors. BULD tracks BlueStar Robotics & 3D Printing Index, while FTXL tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and First Trust.
FTXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.33 vs 2.34), 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.
Find the right allocation for BULD and FTXL
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer