FMF vs. FTXL
FMF (First Trust Managed Futures Strategy Fund) and FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FMF is a Hedge Fund fund actively managed by First Trust, while FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. FMF is actively managed, while FTXL is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FMF returned 4.62%/yr vs 34.63%/yr for FTXL. At a 0.11 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FMF charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXL.
Performance
FMF vs. FTXL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FMF achieves a 10.96% return, which is significantly lower than FTXL's 115.70% return.
FMF
- 1D
- 0.33%
- 1M
- 1.08%
- YTD
- 10.96%
- 6M
- 11.47%
- 1Y
- 22.22%
- 3Y*
- 6.78%
- 5Y*
- 4.62%
- 10Y*
- 3.17%
FTXL
- 1D
- 2.21%
- 1M
- 30.59%
- YTD
- 115.70%
- 6M
- 113.17%
- 1Y
- 225.15%
- 3Y*
- 61.52%
- 5Y*
- 34.63%
- 10Y*
- —
FMF vs. FTXL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FMF First Trust Managed Futures Strategy Fund | 10.96% | 4.54% | 8.17% | -0.18% | 5.24% | 3.57% | 5.69% | -5.16% | -2.64% | 1.70% |
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 115.70% | 48.94% | 7.59% | 54.41% | -33.88% | 36.04% | 46.08% | 61.77% | -14.47% | 32.19% |
Correlation
The correlation between FMF and FTXL is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.20 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.18 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.07 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2016 | 0.11 |
The correlation between FMF and FTXL shifts across timeframes, from 0.07 (5 years) to 0.20 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FMF vs. FTXL — Risk / Return Rank
FMF
FTXL
FMF vs. FTXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Managed Futures Strategy Fund (FMF) 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.
| FMF | FTXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -4.01 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.44 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.78 | -0.36 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 6.52 | 15.62 | -9.10 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 18.49 | 58.28 | -39.80 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| FMF | FTXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.31 | 6.33 | -4.01 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.43 | 0.97 | -0.54 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.27 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.17 | 0.94 | -0.76 |
Drawdowns
FMF vs. FTXL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FMF drawdown since its inception was -22.21%, smaller than the maximum FTXL drawdown of -43.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FMF and FTXL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FMF | FTXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -22.21% | -43.87% | +21.66% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.42% | -14.51% | +11.09% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -7.25% | -41.57% | +34.32% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -14.98% | -43.87% | +28.89% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -16.89% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.07% | 0.00% | -0.07% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.86% | -10.56% | +0.70% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.20% | 3.88% | -2.68% |
Volatility
FMF vs. FTXL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Managed Futures Strategy Fund (FMF) is 1.89%, while First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) has a volatility of 14.28%. This indicates that FMF 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.
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Volatility by Period
| FMF | FTXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.89% | 14.28% | -12.39% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.11% | 28.98% | -21.87% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 9.66% | 35.94% | -26.28% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 10.74% | 36.02% | -25.28% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.72% | 34.25% | -22.53% |
FMF vs. FTXL - Expense Ratio Comparison
FMF has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than FTXL's 0.60% expense ratio.
Dividends
FMF vs. FTXL - Dividend Comparison
FMF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.96%, more than FTXL's 0.12% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FMF First Trust Managed Futures Strategy Fund | 4.96% | 5.60% | 4.85% | 3.09% | 0.41% | 3.29% | 0.02% | 1.05% | 1.56% | 0.82% | 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
FMF and FTXL have a correlation of 0.20, 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 FMF (1.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FMF dropped -22.21% vs FTXL's -43.87%.
On 5-year performance, FTXL leads with 34.63% vs 4.62% for FMF. On fees, FTXL is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FMF has been the lower-risk option at 1.89%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, FTXL has performed better with a 34.63% return vs 4.62%. 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 0.95% for FMF.
FMF has the higher dividend yield at 4.96%, compared with 0.12% for FTXL.
FMF is categorized as Hedge Fund, while FTXL is Semiconductors. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for FMF and 0.60% for FTXL.
FTXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.33 vs 2.31), 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.
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