FTXH vs. SPAQ

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

FTXH (First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF) and SPAQ (Horizon Kinetics SPAC Active ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. FTXH is passively managed, while SPAQ is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, FTXH returned 13.46%/yr vs 5.95%/yr for SPAQ. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FTXH charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for SPAQ.

Performance

FTXH vs. SPAQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) and Horizon Kinetics SPAC Active ETF (SPAQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTXH achieves a 11.84% return, which is significantly higher than SPAQ's 3.29% return.

FTXH

• 1D: 1.27%
• 1M: 5.47%
• YTD: 11.84%
• 6M: 9.84%
• 1Y: 44.78%
• 3Y*: 13.46%
• 5Y*: 8.59%
• 10Y*: —

SPAQ

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 1.35%
• YTD: 3.29%
• 6M: 1.91%
• 1Y: 3.62%
• 3Y*: 5.95%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FTXH vs. SPAQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
FTXH First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF	11.84%	24.15%	2.98%	-2.02%
SPAQ Horizon Kinetics SPAC Active ETF	3.29%	7.35%	4.33%	5.32%

Correlation

The correlation between FTXH and SPAQ is -0.01, 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	-0.01
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2023	0.04

FTXH vs. SPAQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTXH	SPAQ
Healthcare	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	100.0%
Industrials	-	0.1%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FTXH vs. SPAQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTXH

FTXH Risk / Return Rank: 89
FTXH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
FTXH Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
FTXH Omega Ratio Rank: 83
FTXH Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
FTXH Martin Ratio Rank: 89

SPAQ

SPAQ Risk / Return Rank: 18
SPAQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
SPAQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
SPAQ Omega Ratio Rank: 16
SPAQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
SPAQ Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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. SPAQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) and Horizon Kinetics SPAC Active ETF (SPAQ). 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	SPAQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.62	0.42	+2.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.83	0.64	+3.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.10	+0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.02	0.79	+5.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.73	2.79	+14.94

FTXH vs. SPAQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTXH Sharpe Ratio is 2.62, which is higher than the SPAQ Sharpe Ratio of 0.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTXH and SPAQ, 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. SPAQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTXH drawdown since its inception was -32.11%, which is greater than SPAQ's maximum drawdown of -5.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXH and SPAQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTXH	SPAQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.11%	-5.30%	-26.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.47%	-4.60%	-2.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.51%	-5.30%	-14.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.51%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.38%	+0.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.81%	-0.53%	-5.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.53%	1.39%	+1.14%

Volatility

FTXH vs. SPAQ - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) has a higher volatility of 5.47% compared to Horizon Kinetics SPAC Active ETF (SPAQ) at 1.02%. This indicates that FTXH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPAQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTXH	SPAQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.47%	1.02%	+4.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.00%	5.05%	+6.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.22%	8.62%	+8.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.37%	6.95%	+9.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.42%	6.95%	+11.47%

FTXH vs. SPAQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTXH has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than SPAQ's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTXH vs. SPAQ - Dividend Comparison

FTXH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.15%, less than SPAQ's 16.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
FTXH First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF	1.15%	1.41%	1.66%	1.55%	1.11%	1.03%	0.82%	0.67%	0.91%	2.18%	0.19%
SPAQ Horizon Kinetics SPAC Active ETF	16.16%	16.69%	3.00%	2.60%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTXH and SPAQ in my portfolio?

FTXH and SPAQ have a correlation of -0.01, 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 SPAQ?

FTXH has higher volatility (5.47%) compared to SPAQ (1.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTXH dropped -32.11% vs SPAQ's -5.30%.

Which ETF is better, FTXH or SPAQ?

On 3-year performance, FTXH leads with 13.46% vs 5.95% for SPAQ. On fees, FTXH is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, SPAQ has been the lower-risk option at 1.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTXH or SPAQ?

Over the 3-year period, FTXH has performed better with a 13.46% return vs 5.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTXH or SPAQ?

FTXH is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for SPAQ.

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

SPAQ has the higher dividend yield at 16.16%, compared with 1.15% for FTXH.

What is the main difference between FTXH and SPAQ?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Horizon. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTXH and 0.85% for SPAQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.62 vs 0.42), 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.