FTXL vs. AIPO

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) and AIPO (Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index, while AIPO is a Building & Construction fund tracking the MarketVector™ US Listed AI and Power Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FTXL charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for AIPO.

Performance

FTXL vs. AIPO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) and Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF (AIPO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTXL achieves a 111.02% return, which is significantly higher than AIPO's 49.55% return.

FTXL

• 1D: -7.99%
• 1M: 10.24%
• YTD: 111.02%
• 6M: 108.37%
• 1Y: 198.66%
• 3Y*: 59.97%
• 5Y*: 33.38%
• 10Y*: —

AIPO

• 1D: -4.86%
• 1M: 2.22%
• YTD: 49.55%
• 6M: 45.94%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FTXL vs. AIPO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	111.02%	33.17%
AIPO Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF	49.55%	9.46%

Correlation

The correlation between FTXL and AIPO is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 25, 2025	0.78

FTXL vs. AIPO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTXL	AIPO
Technology	99.7%	18.9%
Industrials	0.3%	46.4%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	0.8%
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	6.1%
Financial Services	-	5.3%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	1.0%
Utilities	-	21.2%

Return for Risk

FTXL vs. AIPO — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTXL

FTXL Risk / Return Rank: 96
FTXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
FTXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
FTXL Omega Ratio Rank: 93
FTXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
FTXL Martin Ratio Rank: 98

AIPO

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

FTXL vs. AIPO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) and Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF (AIPO). 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.

	FTXL	AIPO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.89	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.49	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.63	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	13.78	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	47.69	—	—

Drawdowns

FTXL vs. AIPO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTXL drawdown since its inception was -43.87%, which is greater than AIPO's maximum drawdown of -17.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXL and AIPO.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTXL	AIPO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.87%	-17.31%	-26.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.51%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-41.57%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.87%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.99%	-4.86%	-3.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.53%	-4.44%	-6.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.18%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	FTXL	AIPO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	22.71%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	34.66%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	40.91%	35.59%	+5.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	37.11%	35.59%	+1.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.77%	35.59%	-0.82%

FTXL vs. AIPO - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTXL has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than AIPO's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTXL vs. AIPO - Dividend Comparison

FTXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.13%, more than AIPO's 0.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
AIPO Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	0.13%	0.28%	0.54%	0.60%	0.89%	0.25%	0.48%	0.92%	0.71%	0.47%	0.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTXL and AIPO in my portfolio?

FTXL and AIPO have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, FTXL or AIPO?

On fees, FTXL is cheaper at 0.60% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTXL or AIPO?

FTXL is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for AIPO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTXL or AIPO?

FTXL has the higher dividend yield at 0.13%, compared with 0.01% for AIPO.

What is the main difference between FTXL and AIPO?

FTXL is categorized as Semiconductors, while AIPO is Building & Construction. FTXL tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index, while AIPO tracks MarketVector™ US Listed AI and Power Infrastructure Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTXL and 0.69% for AIPO.