FTXH vs. SPUS

Last updated Aug 2, 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 9.58%/yr vs 14.52%/yr for SPUS. Their 0.47 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. 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 18.55% return, which is significantly higher than SPUS's 10.68% return.

FTXH

• 1D: -1.05%
• 1M: -0.66%
• 6M: 15.17%
• YTD: 18.55%
• 1Y: 50.60%
• 3Y*: 15.55%
• 5Y*: 9.58%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.11%

SPUS

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: -0.54%
• 6M: 9.78%
• YTD: 10.68%
• 1Y: 25.03%
• 3Y*: 20.31%
• 5Y*: 14.52%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 18.05%

*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	$132.14M	$63.96M	$21.87M
SPUS SP Funds S&P 500 Sharia Industry Exclusions ETF	$23.25M	$21.17M	$26.78M

FTXH vs. SPUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
FTXH First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF	18.55%	24.15%	2.98%	-1.41%	2.55%	6.14%	11.73%	0.93%
SPUS SP Funds S&P 500 Sharia Industry Exclusions ETF	10.68%	19.77%	26.49%	34.24%	-22.76%	35.92%	25.68%	0.95%

Correlation

The correlation between FTXH and SPUS is 0.16, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.16
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 18, 2019	0.47

Over the past year, the correlation between FTXH and SPUS has dropped to 0.16 - well below their long-term average of 0.47, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FTXH vs. SPUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTXH	SPUS
Healthcare	100.0%	11.4%
Basic Materials	-	2.7%
Communication Services	-	5.6%
Consumer Cyclical	-	7.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	2.7%
Energy	-	2.5%
Financial Services	-	-
Industrials	-	6.8%
Real Estate	-	1.2%
Technology	-	59.9%
Utilities	-	0.2%

Return for Risk

FTXH vs. SPUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTXH

FTXH Risk / Return Rank: 96
FTXH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
FTXH Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
FTXH Omega Ratio Rank: 94
FTXH Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
FTXH Martin Ratio Rank: 95

SPUS

SPUS Risk / Return Rank: 63
SPUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
SPUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
SPUS Omega Ratio Rank: 60
SPUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPUS Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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. 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	3.12	1.47	+1.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.55	2.05	+2.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.26	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.13	2.19	+4.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.24	7.52	+13.72

FTXH vs. SPUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTXH Sharpe Ratio is 3.12, which is higher than the SPUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.47. 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	-2.01%	-5.26%	+3.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.76%	-6.17%	+0.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.50%	3.10%	-0.60%

Volatility

FTXH vs. SPUS - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) has a higher volatility of 5.56% compared to SP Funds S&P 500 Sharia Industry Exclusions ETF (SPUS) at 4.66%. This indicates that FTXH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier 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	5.56%	4.66%	+0.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.78%	12.81%	-0.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.21%	15.89%	+1.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.53%	19.49%	-2.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.43%	21.26%	-2.83%

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 1.09%, more than SPUS's 0.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
FTXH First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF	1.09%	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	0.54%	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 0.16, 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?

FTXH has higher volatility (5.56%) compared to SPUS (4.66%). 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 14.52% vs 9.58% for FTXH. On fees, SPUS is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, SPUS has been the lower-risk option at 4.66%. 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 14.52% return vs 9.58%. 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 1.09%, compared with 0.54% 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 (3.12 vs 1.47), 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.