FOTO vs. FTXL

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

FOTO (Tuttle Capital Pure Play Photonics ETF) and FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FOTO is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by Tuttle, while FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. FOTO is actively managed, while FTXL is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FOTO charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXL.

Performance

FOTO vs. FTXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Tuttle Capital Pure Play Photonics ETF (FOTO) and First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

FOTO

• 1D: 3.57%
• 1M: -13.36%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FTXL

• 1D: 2.83%
• 1M: -7.98%
• 6M: 70.48%
• YTD: 91.84%
• 1Y: 153.01%
• 3Y*: 51.84%
• 5Y*: 31.41%
• 10Y*: —

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

FOTO vs. FTXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
FOTO Tuttle Capital Pure Play Photonics ETF	-15.47%
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	-4.83%

Correlation

The correlation between FOTO and FTXL is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 29, 2026	0.86

Return for Risk

FOTO vs. FTXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

FOTO

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

FTXL

FTXL Risk / Return Rank: 95
FTXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
FTXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
FTXL Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FTXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
FTXL Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

FOTO vs. FTXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Tuttle Capital Pure Play Photonics ETF (FOTO) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	FOTO	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	3.53	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	3.51	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.48	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	8.25	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	29.37	—

Drawdowns

FOTO vs. FTXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FOTO drawdown since its inception was -28.53%, smaller than the maximum FTXL drawdown of -43.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FOTO and FTXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	FOTO	FTXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.53%	-43.87%	+15.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-18.65%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-41.57%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-43.87%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.92%	-16.35%	-6.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.79%	-10.54%	-4.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	5.23%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	FOTO	FTXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	21.31%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	37.40%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	77.14%	43.59%	+33.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	77.14%	37.71%	+39.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	77.14%	35.02%	+42.12%

FOTO vs. FTXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

FOTO has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than FTXL's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

FOTO vs. FTXL - Dividend Comparison

FOTO has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FTXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.10%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
FOTO Tuttle Capital Pure Play Photonics ETF	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	0.10%	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 FOTO and FTXL in my portfolio?

FOTO and FTXL have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, FOTO or FTXL?

On fees, FTXL is cheaper at 0.60% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, FOTO or FTXL?

FTXL is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for FOTO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FOTO or FTXL?

FTXL has the higher dividend yield at 0.10%, compared with 0.00% for FOTO.

What is the main difference between FOTO and FTXL?

FOTO is categorized as Technology Equities, while FTXL is Semiconductors. They also come from different issuers: Tuttle and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for FOTO and 0.60% for FTXL.