FAI vs. FTXL
FAI (First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF) and FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FAI is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence Index, while FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, FAI returned 72.81% vs 214.18% for FTXL. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FAI charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXL.
Performance
FAI vs. FTXL - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FAI achieves a 36.77% return, which is significantly lower than FTXL's 110.86% return.
FAI
- 1D
- -1.66%
- 1M
- 17.27%
- YTD
- 36.77%
- 6M
- 35.51%
- 1Y
- 72.81%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FTXL
- 1D
- -2.24%
- 1M
- 21.46%
- YTD
- 110.86%
- 6M
- 111.07%
- 1Y
- 214.18%
- 3Y*
- 61.46%
- 5Y*
- 34.02%
- 10Y*
- —
FAI vs. FTXL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF | 36.77% | 33.37% | 2.06% |
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 110.86% | 48.94% | -1.36% |
Correlation
The correlation between FAI and FTXL is 0.73, 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 | 0.73 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 22, 2024 | 0.77 |
The correlation between FAI and FTXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.77 - 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
FAI vs. FTXL — Risk / Return Rank
FAI
FTXL
FAI vs. FTXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI) 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.
| FAI | FTXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -3.01 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.98 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.47 | 1.75 | -0.28 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.88 | 14.86 | -10.97 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.65 | 55.40 | -42.75 |
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
| FAI | FTXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.99 | 6.00 | -3.01 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.95 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.70 | 0.93 | +0.77 |
Drawdowns
FAI vs. FTXL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FAI drawdown since its inception was -27.82%, smaller than the maximum FTXL drawdown of -43.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAI and FTXL.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| FAI | FTXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -27.82% | -43.87% | +16.05% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -18.84% | -14.51% | -4.33% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -41.57% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -43.87% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.85% | -2.24% | -0.61% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.30% | -10.55% | +5.25% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.77% | 3.88% | +1.89% |
Volatility
FAI vs. FTXL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF (FAI) is 8.57%, while First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) has a volatility of 14.14%. This indicates that FAI 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
| FAI | FTXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.57% | 14.14% | -5.57% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 19.40% | 29.04% | -9.64% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 24.47% | 35.94% | -11.47% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 29.89% | 36.03% | -6.14% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 29.89% | 34.25% | -4.36% |
FAI vs. FTXL - Expense Ratio Comparison
FAI has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than FTXL's 0.60% expense ratio.
Dividends
FAI vs. FTXL - Dividend Comparison
FAI has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FTXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.13%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FAI First Trust Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 0.13% | 0.28% | 0.54% | 0.60% | 0.89% | 0.25% | 0.48% | 0.92% | 0.71% | 0.47% | 0.12% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FAI and FTXL have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FTXL has higher volatility (14.14%) compared to FAI (8.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAI dropped -27.82% vs FTXL's -43.87%.
On 1-year performance, FTXL leads with 214.18% vs 72.81% for FAI. On fees, FTXL is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FAI has been the lower-risk option at 8.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, FTXL has performed better with a 214.18% return vs 72.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FTXL is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for FAI.
FTXL has the higher dividend yield at 0.13%, compared with 0.00% for FAI.
FAI is categorized as Technology Equities, while FTXL is Semiconductors. FAI tracks Bloomberg Artificial Intelligence Index, while FTXL tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for FAI and 0.60% for FTXL.
FTXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.00 vs 2.99), 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 FAI 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