FTXH vs. ^GSPC

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC).

FTXH is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Pharmaceuticals Index. It was launched on Sep 20, 2016.

Performance

FTXH vs. ^GSPC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

FTXH vs. ^GSPC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTXH First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF	5.20%	24.15%	2.98%	-1.41%	2.55%	6.14%	11.73%	22.13%	-9.51%	19.44%
^GSPC S&P 500 Index	-3.95%	16.39%	23.31%	24.23%	-19.44%	26.89%	16.26%	28.88%	-6.24%	19.42%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTXH achieves a 5.20% return, which is significantly higher than ^GSPC's -3.95% return.

FTXH

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: -2.33%
• YTD: 5.20%
• 6M: 17.23%
• 1Y: 31.34%
• 3Y*: 11.55%
• 5Y*: 7.51%
• 10Y*: —

^GSPC

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: -4.45%
• YTD: -3.95%
• 6M: -2.02%
• 1Y: 16.73%
• 3Y*: 16.96%
• 5Y*: 10.34%
• 10Y*: 12.24%

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

Return for Risk

FTXH vs. ^GSPC — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTXH

FTXH Risk / Return Rank: 73
FTXH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
FTXH Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
FTXH Omega Ratio Rank: 70
FTXH Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
FTXH Martin Ratio Rank: 64

^GSPC

^GSPC Risk / Return Rank: 67
^GSPC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
^GSPC Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
^GSPC Omega Ratio Rank: 69
^GSPC Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
^GSPC Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

FTXH vs. ^GSPC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). 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.

	FTXH	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.51	0.92	+0.59
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.06	1.41	+0.65
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.21	+0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.17	1.41	+0.76
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.06	6.61	+0.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTXH vs. ^GSPC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTXH Sharpe Ratio is 1.51, which is higher than the ^GSPC Sharpe Ratio of 0.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTXH and ^GSPC, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FTXH	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.51	0.92	+0.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.61	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.68	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.46	-0.07

Correlation

The correlation between FTXH and ^GSPC is 0.52, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Drawdowns

FTXH vs. ^GSPC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTXH drawdown since its inception was -32.11%, smaller than the maximum ^GSPC drawdown of -56.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXH and ^GSPC.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTXH	^GSPC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.11%	-56.78%	+24.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.74%	-12.14%	-0.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.51%	-25.43%	+5.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.92%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.69%	-5.78%	+3.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.88%	-10.75%	+4.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.92%	2.60%	+1.32%

Volatility

FTXH vs. ^GSPC - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) has a higher volatility of 6.01% compared to S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) at 5.37%. This indicates that FTXH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ^GSPC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTXH	^GSPC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.01%	5.37%	+0.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.84%	9.55%	+2.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.09%	18.33%	+2.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.15%	16.90%	-0.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.45%	18.05%	+0.40%