FBTU.L vs. FTXL

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FBTU.L (First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology UCITS ETF Class A USD Accumulating) and FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FBTU.L is a Health & Biotech Equities fund managed by First Trust, while FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. Over the past 5 years, FBTU.L returned 6.94%/yr vs 34.02%/yr for FTXL. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.60% expense ratio.

Performance

FBTU.L vs. FTXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology UCITS ETF Class A USD Accumulating (FBTU.L) 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, FBTU.L achieves a 8.73% return, which is significantly lower than FTXL's 110.86% return.

FBTU.L

• 1D: 4.34%
• 1M: 9.71%
• YTD: 8.73%
• 6M: 6.95%
• 1Y: 38.25%
• 3Y*: 13.28%
• 5Y*: 6.94%
• 10Y*: —

FTXL

• 1D: -2.24%
• 1M: 21.46%
• YTD: 110.86%
• 6M: 111.07%
• 1Y: 214.18%
• 3Y*: 61.46%
• 5Y*: 34.02%
• 10Y*: —

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

FBTU.L vs. FTXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
FBTU.L First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology UCITS ETF Class A USD Accumulating	8.73%	25.95%	4.74%	3.91%	-5.96%	-3.77%	3.88%
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	110.86%	48.94%	7.59%	54.41%	-33.88%	36.04%	44.91%

Correlation

The correlation between FBTU.L and FTXL is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 1, 2020	0.30

FBTU.L vs. FTXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FBTU.L	FTXL
Healthcare	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Industrials	-	0.5%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	99.5%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FBTU.L vs. FTXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

FBTU.L

FBTU.L Risk / Return Rank: 52
FBTU.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
FBTU.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
FBTU.L Omega Ratio Rank: 49
FBTU.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
FBTU.L Martin Ratio Rank: 45

FTXL

FTXL Risk / Return Rank: 97
FTXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
FTXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
FTXL Omega Ratio Rank: 95
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.

FBTU.L vs. FTXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology UCITS ETF Class A USD Accumulating (FBTU.L) 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.

	FBTU.L	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	6.00	-4.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.66	5.56	-2.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.75	-0.44
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.66	14.86	-12.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.17	55.40	-48.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FBTU.L vs. FTXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FBTU.L Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is lower than the FTXL Sharpe Ratio of 6.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FBTU.L 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

	FBTU.L	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.79	6.00	-4.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.95	-0.62
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.93	-0.65

Drawdowns

FBTU.L vs. FTXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FBTU.L drawdown since its inception was -33.73%, smaller than the maximum FTXL drawdown of -43.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FBTU.L and FTXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	FBTU.L	FTXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.73%	-43.87%	+10.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.30%	-14.51%	+0.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.47%	-41.57%	+19.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.97%	-43.87%	+13.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.24%	+2.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.11%	-10.55%	-2.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.32%	3.88%	+1.44%

Volatility

FBTU.L vs. FTXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology UCITS ETF Class A USD Accumulating (FBTU.L) is 7.25%, while First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) has a volatility of 14.14%. This indicates that FBTU.L 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

	FBTU.L	FTXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.25%	14.14%	-6.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.34%	29.04%	-12.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.31%	35.94%	-14.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.91%	36.03%	-15.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.38%	34.25%	-12.87%

FBTU.L vs. FTXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both FBTU.L and FTXL have an expense ratio of 0.60%.

Dividends

FBTU.L vs. FTXL - Dividend Comparison

FBTU.L 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
FBTU.L First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology UCITS ETF Class A USD Accumulating	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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

Can I hold both FBTU.L and FTXL in my portfolio?

FBTU.L and FTXL have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, FBTU.L or FTXL?

Both ETFs have the same 0.60% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, FBTU.L or FTXL?

FBTU.L and FTXL have the same expense ratio: 0.60% per year.

What is the main difference between FBTU.L and FTXL?

FBTU.L is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while FTXL is Semiconductors.