FTXH vs. RDVY

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

FTXH (First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF) and RDVY (First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTXH is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Pharmaceuticals Index, while RDVY is a Dividend fund tracking the Nasdaq US Rising Dividend Achievers Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FTXH returned 9.04%/yr vs 13.07%/yr for RDVY. Their 0.48 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. FTXH charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for RDVY.

Performance

FTXH vs. RDVY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) and First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with FTXH having a 17.64% return and RDVY slightly higher at 18.21%.

FTXH

• 1D: -0.77%
• 1M: -1.43%
• 6M: 12.69%
• YTD: 17.64%
• 1Y: 49.44%
• 3Y*: 15.53%
• 5Y*: 9.04%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.02%

RDVY

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: 2.01%
• 6M: 12.29%
• YTD: 18.21%
• 1Y: 31.80%
• 3Y*: 20.39%
• 5Y*: 13.07%
• 10Y*: 16.08%
• ALL TIME*: 13.82%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FTXH First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF	$132.42M	$64.10M	$22.26M
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	$79.27M	$78.43M	$84.11M

FTXH vs. RDVY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTXH First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF	17.64%	24.15%	2.98%	-1.41%	2.55%	6.14%	11.73%	22.13%	-9.51%	19.44%
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	18.21%	18.90%	16.41%	20.38%	-13.27%	31.14%	13.47%	37.71%	-9.92%	22.75%

Correlation

The correlation between FTXH and RDVY is 0.32, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2016	0.48

The correlation between FTXH and RDVY shifts across timeframes, from 0.32 (1 year) to 0.51 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FTXH vs. RDVY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTXH	RDVY
Healthcare	100.0%	5.6%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	4.2%
Consumer Cyclical	-	11.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	2.8%
Energy	-	2.8%
Financial Services	-	38.9%
Industrials	-	12.5%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	19.4%
Utilities	-	1.4%

Return for Risk

FTXH vs. RDVY — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FTXH

FTXH Risk / Return Rank: 95
FTXH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
FTXH Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
FTXH Omega Ratio Rank: 93
FTXH Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
FTXH Martin Ratio Rank: 94

RDVY

RDVY Risk / Return Rank: 88
RDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
RDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
RDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 85
RDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
RDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 90

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FTXH vs. RDVY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) and First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY). 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.

	FTXH	RDVY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.92	2.19	+0.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.30	3.10	+1.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.38	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.65	3.54	+3.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.78	14.83	+4.95

FTXH vs. RDVY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTXH Sharpe Ratio is 2.92, which is higher than the RDVY Sharpe Ratio of 2.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTXH and RDVY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FTXH vs. RDVY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTXH drawdown since its inception was -32.11%, smaller than the maximum RDVY drawdown of -40.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXH and RDVY.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTXH	RDVY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.11%	-40.60%	+8.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.47%	-9.04%	+1.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.51%	-19.11%	-0.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.51%	-25.32%	+5.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-40.60%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.77%	0.00%	-2.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.76%	-4.95%	-0.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.51%	2.15%	+0.36%

Volatility

FTXH vs. RDVY - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) has a higher volatility of 4.91% compared to First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) at 3.55%. This indicates that FTXH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RDVY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTXH	RDVY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.91%	3.55%	+1.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.81%	11.40%	+1.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.04%	14.64%	+2.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.53%	18.93%	-2.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.43%	21.03%	-2.60%

FTXH vs. RDVY - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTXH has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than RDVY's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTXH vs. RDVY - Dividend Comparison

FTXH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.10%, more than RDVY's 0.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTXH First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF	1.10%	1.41%	1.66%	1.55%	1.11%	1.03%	0.82%	0.67%	0.91%	2.18%	0.19%	0.00%
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	0.83%	1.11%	1.64%	2.09%	2.21%	1.04%	1.53%	1.55%	1.68%	1.25%	2.07%	2.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTXH and RDVY in my portfolio?

FTXH and RDVY have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTXH or RDVY?

FTXH has higher volatility (4.91%) compared to RDVY (3.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTXH dropped -32.11% vs RDVY's -40.60%.

Which ETF is better, FTXH or RDVY?

On 5-year performance, RDVY leads with 13.07% vs 9.04% for FTXH. On fees, RDVY is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, RDVY has been the lower-risk option at 3.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTXH or RDVY?

Over the 5-year period, RDVY has performed better with a 13.07% return vs 9.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTXH or RDVY?

RDVY is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTXH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTXH or RDVY?

FTXH has the higher dividend yield at 1.10%, compared with 0.83% for RDVY.

What is the main difference between FTXH and RDVY?

FTXH is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while RDVY is Dividend. FTXH tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Pharmaceuticals Index, while RDVY tracks Nasdaq US Rising Dividend Achievers Index. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTXH and 0.47% for RDVY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.92 vs 2.19), 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.