FTA vs. FTXL

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FTA (First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund) and FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTA is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Value Index, while FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FTA returned 9.26%/yr vs 34.54%/yr for FTXL. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.60% expense ratio.

Performance

FTA vs. FTXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) 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, FTA achieves a 11.74% return, which is significantly lower than FTXL's 111.04% return.

FTA

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: 1.23%
• YTD: 11.74%
• 6M: 13.79%
• 1Y: 29.01%
• 3Y*: 16.54%
• 5Y*: 9.26%
• 10Y*: 11.10%

FTXL

• 1D: 5.49%
• 1M: 26.62%
• YTD: 111.04%
• 6M: 112.63%
• 1Y: 228.34%
• 3Y*: 60.35%
• 5Y*: 34.54%
• 10Y*: —

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

FTA vs. FTXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	11.74%	14.94%	10.13%	10.08%	-3.73%	29.32%	-0.38%	24.73%	-13.63%	18.47%
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	111.04%	48.94%	7.59%	54.41%	-33.88%	36.04%	46.08%	61.77%	-14.47%	32.19%

Correlation

The correlation between FTA and FTXL is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.39
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2016	0.53

Over the past year, the correlation between FTA and FTXL has dropped to 0.30 - well below their long-term average of 0.53, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FTA vs. FTXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTA	FTXL
Financial Services	19.7%	-
Utilities	13.3%	-
Healthcare	10.6%	-
Energy	9.6%	-
Industrials	9.6%	0.5%
Consumer Cyclical	8.5%	-
Technology	8.0%	99.5%
Consumer Defensive	6.9%	-
Real Estate	5.9%	-
Communication Services	4.3%	-
Basic Materials	2.7%	-

Return for Risk

FTA vs. FTXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTA

FTA Risk / Return Rank: 81
FTA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
FTA Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
FTA Omega Ratio Rank: 72
FTA Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
FTA Martin Ratio Rank: 85

FTXL

FTXL Risk / Return Rank: 97
FTXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
FTXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
FTXL Omega Ratio Rank: 96
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.

FTA vs. FTXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) 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.

	FTA	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.53	6.40	-3.88
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.73	5.79	-2.06
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.79	-0.35
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.72	16.08	-10.36
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.25	60.11	-41.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTA vs. FTXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTA Sharpe Ratio is 2.53, which is lower than the FTXL Sharpe Ratio of 6.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTA 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

	FTA	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.53	6.40	-3.88
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57	0.96	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.93	-0.54

Drawdowns

FTA vs. FTXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTA drawdown since its inception was -62.45%, which is greater than FTXL's maximum drawdown of -43.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTA and FTXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTA	FTXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.45%	-43.87%	-18.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.13%	-14.51%	+9.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.73%	-41.57%	+22.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.80%	-43.87%	+24.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.97%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.04%	-10.56%	+1.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.61%	3.88%	-2.27%

Volatility

FTA vs. FTXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) is 2.77%, while First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) has a volatility of 14.41%. This indicates that FTA 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

	FTA	FTXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.77%	14.41%	-11.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.43%	28.95%	-21.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.54%	35.91%	-24.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.26%	36.01%	-19.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.97%	34.25%	-14.28%

FTA vs. FTXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both FTA and FTXL have an expense ratio of 0.60%.

Dividends

FTA vs. FTXL - Dividend Comparison

FTA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.66%, more than FTXL's 0.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	1.66%	1.89%	2.02%	2.10%	2.15%	1.54%	2.03%	1.88%	2.28%	1.53%	1.56%	2.05%
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%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTA and FTXL in my portfolio?

FTA and FTXL have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTA or FTXL?

FTXL has higher volatility (14.41%) compared to FTA (2.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTA dropped -62.45% vs FTXL's -43.87%.

Which ETF is better, FTA or FTXL?

On 5-year performance, FTXL leads with 34.54% vs 9.26% for FTA. Both ETFs have the same 0.60% expense ratio. On volatility, FTA has been the lower-risk option at 2.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTA or FTXL?

Over the 5-year period, FTXL has performed better with a 34.54% return vs 9.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTA or FTXL?

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

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

FTA has the higher dividend yield at 1.66%, compared with 0.13% for FTXL.

What is the main difference between FTA and FTXL?

FTA is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while FTXL is Semiconductors. FTA tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Value Index, while FTXL tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.40 vs 2.53), 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.