FTXH vs. SPUS

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

FTXH (First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF) and SPUS (SP Funds S&P 500 Sharia Industry Exclusions ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTXH is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Pharmaceuticals Index, while SPUS is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Shariah Industry Exclusions Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FTXH returned 8.39%/yr vs 16.30%/yr for SPUS. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FTXH charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for SPUS.

Performance

FTXH vs. SPUS - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTXH achieves a 8.95% return, which is significantly lower than SPUS's 12.83% return.

FTXH

• 1D: 1.27%
• 1M: 2.75%
• YTD: 8.95%
• 6M: 7.56%
• 1Y: 42.53%
• 3Y*: 12.47%
• 5Y*: 8.39%
• 10Y*: —

SPUS

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 0.48%
• YTD: 12.83%
• 6M: 12.41%
• 1Y: 36.21%
• 3Y*: 22.94%
• 5Y*: 16.30%
• 10Y*: —

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

FTXH vs. SPUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
FTXH First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF	8.95%	24.15%	2.98%	-1.41%	2.55%	6.14%	11.73%	0.93%
SPUS SP Funds S&P 500 Sharia Industry Exclusions ETF	12.83%	19.77%	26.49%	34.24%	-22.76%	35.92%	25.68%	0.95%

Correlation

The correlation between FTXH and SPUS is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 18, 2019	0.48

Over the past year, the correlation between FTXH and SPUS has dropped to 0.24 - well below their long-term average of 0.48, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FTXH vs. SPUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTXH	SPUS
Healthcare	100.0%	10.5%
Basic Materials	-	2.7%
Communication Services	-	5.9%
Consumer Cyclical	-	6.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	2.7%
Energy	-	2.7%
Financial Services	-	-
Industrials	-	6.2%
Real Estate	-	1.1%
Technology	-	61.1%
Utilities	-	0.2%

Return for Risk

FTXH vs. SPUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTXH

FTXH Risk / Return Rank: 83
FTXH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
FTXH Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
FTXH Omega Ratio Rank: 74
FTXH Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
FTXH Martin Ratio Rank: 84

SPUS

SPUS Risk / Return Rank: 74
SPUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
SPUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
SPUS Omega Ratio Rank: 75
SPUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
SPUS Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. SPUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) and SP Funds S&P 500 Sharia Industry Exclusions ETF (SPUS). 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	SPUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.49	2.42	+0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.67	3.17	+0.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.42	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.72	3.41	+2.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.84	13.73	+3.11

FTXH vs. SPUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTXH Sharpe Ratio is 2.49, which is comparable to the SPUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTXH and SPUS, 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. SPUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTXH drawdown since its inception was -32.11%, roughly equal to the maximum SPUS drawdown of -30.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXH and SPUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTXH	SPUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.11%	-30.80%	-1.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.47%	-10.66%	+3.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.51%	-22.82%	+3.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.51%	-28.06%	+8.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.74%	-3.41%	+2.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.81%	-6.19%	+0.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.53%	2.64%	-0.11%

Volatility

FTXH vs. SPUS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) is 5.36%, while SP Funds S&P 500 Sharia Industry Exclusions ETF (SPUS) has a volatility of 6.34%. This indicates that FTXH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTXH	SPUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.36%	6.34%	-0.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.98%	12.05%	-0.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.17%	15.08%	+2.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.37%	19.38%	-3.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.41%	21.32%	-2.91%

FTXH vs. SPUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTXH has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than SPUS's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTXH vs. SPUS - Dividend Comparison

FTXH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.18%, more than SPUS's 0.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
FTXH First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF	1.18%	1.41%	1.66%	1.55%	1.11%	1.03%	0.82%	0.67%	0.91%	2.18%	0.19%
SPUS SP Funds S&P 500 Sharia Industry Exclusions ETF	0.53%	0.60%	0.70%	0.87%	1.21%	1.15%	1.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTXH and SPUS in my portfolio?

FTXH and SPUS have a correlation of 0.24, 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 SPUS?

SPUS has higher volatility (6.34%) compared to FTXH (5.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTXH dropped -32.11% vs SPUS's -30.80%.

Which ETF is better, FTXH or SPUS?

On 5-year performance, SPUS leads with 16.30% vs 8.39% for FTXH. On fees, SPUS is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, FTXH has been the lower-risk option at 5.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTXH or SPUS?

Over the 5-year period, SPUS has performed better with a 16.30% return vs 8.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTXH or SPUS?

SPUS is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTXH.

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

FTXH has the higher dividend yield at 1.18%, compared with 0.53% for SPUS.

What is the main difference between FTXH and SPUS?

FTXH is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while SPUS is S&P 500. FTXH tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Pharmaceuticals Index, while SPUS tracks S&P 500 Shariah Industry Exclusions Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and SP Funds. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTXH and 0.45% for SPUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 2.42), 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.