FTGC vs. FTXL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTGC (First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund) and FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTGC is a Commodities fund actively managed by First Trust, while FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. FTGC is actively managed, while FTXL is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FTGC returned 13.08%/yr vs 34.63%/yr for FTXL. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FTGC charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXL.

Performance

FTGC vs. FTXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) 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, FTGC achieves a 27.15% return, which is significantly lower than FTXL's 115.70% return.

FTGC

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: -2.63%
• YTD: 27.15%
• 6M: 26.06%
• 1Y: 41.32%
• 3Y*: 18.13%
• 5Y*: 13.08%
• 10Y*: 7.77%

FTXL

• 1D: 2.21%
• 1M: 30.59%
• YTD: 115.70%
• 6M: 113.17%
• 1Y: 225.15%
• 3Y*: 61.52%
• 5Y*: 34.63%
• 10Y*: —

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

FTGC vs. FTXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTGC First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund	27.15%	14.61%	9.96%	-5.36%	17.36%	27.95%	2.17%	6.40%	-12.75%	2.73%
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 FTGC and FTXL is 0.03, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.03
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.14
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2016	0.21

The correlation between FTGC and FTXL shifts across timeframes, from 0.03 (1 year) to 0.21 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FTGC vs. FTXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTGC

FTGC Risk / Return Rank: 81
FTGC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
FTGC Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
FTGC Omega Ratio Rank: 77
FTGC Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
FTGC Martin Ratio Rank: 84

FTXL

FTXL Risk / Return Rank: 97
FTXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
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.

FTGC vs. FTXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) 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.

	FTGC	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.66	6.33	-3.66
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.43	5.74	-2.31
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.78	-0.31
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.25	15.62	-10.37
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	17.39	58.28	-40.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTGC vs. FTXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTGC Sharpe Ratio is 2.66, which is lower than the FTXL Sharpe Ratio of 6.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTGC 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

	FTGC	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.66	6.33	-3.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82	0.97	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.94	-0.70

Drawdowns

FTGC vs. FTXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTGC drawdown since its inception was -59.47%, which is greater than FTXL's maximum drawdown of -43.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTGC and FTXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTGC	FTXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.47%	-43.87%	-15.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.91%	-14.51%	+6.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.39%	-41.57%	+31.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.64%	-43.87%	+21.23%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.91%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.65%	0.00%	-4.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-27.42%	-10.56%	-16.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.38%	3.88%	-1.50%

Volatility

FTGC vs. FTXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund (FTGC) is 4.50%, while First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) has a volatility of 14.28%. This indicates that FTGC 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

	FTGC	FTXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.50%	14.28%	-9.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.15%	28.98%	-15.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.59%	35.94%	-20.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.00%	36.02%	-20.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.71%	34.25%	-19.54%

FTGC vs. FTXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTGC has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than FTXL's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTGC vs. FTXL - Dividend Comparison

FTGC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 15.08%, more than FTXL's 0.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
FTGC First Trust Global Tactical Commodity Strategy Fund	15.08%	17.74%	3.05%	3.34%	10.35%	7.21%	0.00%	0.81%	0.80%	1.21%	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

Can I hold both FTGC and FTXL in my portfolio?

FTGC and FTXL have a correlation of 0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTGC or FTXL?

FTXL has higher volatility (14.28%) compared to FTGC (4.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTGC dropped -59.47% vs FTXL's -43.87%.

Which ETF is better, FTGC or FTXL?

On 5-year performance, FTXL leads with 34.63% vs 13.08% for FTGC. On fees, FTXL is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FTGC has been the lower-risk option at 4.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTGC or FTXL?

Over the 5-year period, FTXL has performed better with a 34.63% return vs 13.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTGC or FTXL?

FTXL is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FTGC.

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

FTGC has the higher dividend yield at 15.08%, compared with 0.12% for FTXL.

What is the main difference between FTGC and FTXL?

FTGC is categorized as Commodities, while FTXL is Semiconductors. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for FTGC and 0.60% for FTXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.33 vs 2.66), 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.