CARD vs. FTXR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CARD (Max Auto Industry -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN) and FTXR (First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CARD is a Inverse Equities fund tracking the Prime Auto Industry Index - Benchmark TR Net (--300%), while FTXR is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Transportation Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, CARD returned -35.78% vs 43.09% for FTXR. At a correlation of -0.80, they often move in opposite directions. CARD charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXR.

Performance

CARD vs. FTXR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Max Auto Industry -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN (CARD) and First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (FTXR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CARD achieves a -2.60% return, which is significantly lower than FTXR's 14.58% return.

CARD

• 1D: 1.10%
• 1M: -13.67%
• YTD: -2.60%
• 6M: -2.07%
• 1Y: -35.78%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FTXR

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 11.32%
• YTD: 14.58%
• 6M: 18.08%
• 1Y: 43.09%
• 3Y*: 19.84%
• 5Y*: 6.66%
• 10Y*: —

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

CARD vs. FTXR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
CARD Max Auto Industry -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN	-2.60%	-60.21%	-58.19%	-30.38%
FTXR First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF	14.58%	14.70%	17.09%	2.64%

Correlation

The correlation between CARD and FTXR is -0.79, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 29, 2023	-0.80

The correlation between CARD and FTXR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.80 to -0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CARD vs. FTXR — Risk / Return Rank

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

CARD

CARD Risk / Return Rank: 4
CARD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
CARD Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
CARD Omega Ratio Rank: 5
CARD Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
CARD Martin Ratio Rank: 4

FTXR

FTXR Risk / Return Rank: 57
FTXR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
FTXR Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
FTXR Omega Ratio Rank: 52
FTXR Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
FTXR Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

CARD vs. FTXR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Max Auto Industry -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN (CARD) and First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (FTXR). 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.

	CARD	FTXR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.52	1.99	-2.51
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.43	2.80	-3.23
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.95	1.33	-0.37
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.72	2.99	-3.71
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.06	10.08	-11.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CARD vs. FTXR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CARD Sharpe Ratio is -0.52, which is lower than the FTXR Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CARD and FTXR, 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

	CARD	FTXR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.52	1.99	-2.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.28	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.65	0.40	-1.06

Drawdowns

CARD vs. FTXR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CARD drawdown since its inception was -93.51%, which is greater than FTXR's maximum drawdown of -52.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CARD and FTXR.

Drawdown Indicators

	CARD	FTXR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-93.51%	-52.06%	-41.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-49.57%	-14.49%	-35.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-29.71%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-33.96%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-92.68%	-1.09%	-91.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-68.13%	-11.06%	-57.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	33.93%	4.29%	+29.64%

Volatility

CARD vs. FTXR - Volatility Comparison

Max Auto Industry -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN (CARD) has a higher volatility of 22.80% compared to First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (FTXR) at 6.70%. This indicates that CARD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTXR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CARD	FTXR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	22.80%	6.70%	+16.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	50.05%	16.48%	+33.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	68.70%	21.79%	+46.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	80.53%	23.85%	+56.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	80.53%	24.75%	+55.78%

CARD vs. FTXR - Expense Ratio Comparison

CARD has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than FTXR's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

CARD vs. FTXR - Dividend Comparison

CARD has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FTXR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.14%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
CARD Max Auto Industry -3X Inverse Leveraged ETN	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FTXR First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF	1.14%	1.52%	2.13%	1.50%	2.38%	0.67%	0.33%	1.34%	1.74%	1.18%	0.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CARD and FTXR in my portfolio?

CARD and FTXR 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, CARD or FTXR?

CARD has higher volatility (22.80%) compared to FTXR (6.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CARD dropped -93.51% vs FTXR's -52.06%.

Which ETF is better, CARD or FTXR?

On 1-year performance, FTXR leads with 43.09% vs -35.78% for CARD. On fees, FTXR is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FTXR has been the lower-risk option at 6.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CARD or FTXR?

Over the 1-year period, FTXR has performed better with a 43.09% return vs -35.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CARD or FTXR?

FTXR is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for CARD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CARD or FTXR?

FTXR has the higher dividend yield at 1.14%, compared with 0.00% for CARD.

What is the main difference between CARD and FTXR?

CARD is categorized as Inverse Equities, while FTXR is Industrials Equities. CARD tracks Prime Auto Industry Index - Benchmark TR Net (--300%), while FTXR tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Transportation Index. They also come from different issuers: Max and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for CARD and 0.60% for FTXR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs -0.52), 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.