FTXL vs. AIS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) and AIS (VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index, while AIS is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by VistaShares. FTXL is passively managed, while AIS is actively managed. Over the past year, FTXL returned 225.15% vs 226.72% for AIS. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FTXL charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for AIS.

Performance

FTXL vs. AIS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) and VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF (AIS). 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 FTXL having a 115.70% return and AIS slightly higher at 118.61%.

FTXL

• 1D: 2.21%
• 1M: 30.59%
• YTD: 115.70%
• 6M: 113.17%
• 1Y: 225.15%
• 3Y*: 61.52%
• 5Y*: 34.63%
• 10Y*: —

AIS

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: 35.87%
• YTD: 118.61%
• 6M: 122.65%
• 1Y: 226.72%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FTXL vs. AIS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	115.70%	48.94%	-2.68%
AIS VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF	118.61%	58.35%	-4.92%

Correlation

The correlation between FTXL and AIS is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2024	0.88

The correlation between FTXL and AIS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

FTXL vs. AIS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTXL	AIS
Technology	99.5%	84.6%
Industrials	0.5%	8.9%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-0.0%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	3.2%

Return for Risk

FTXL vs. AIS — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTXL

FTXL Risk / Return Rank: 97
FTXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
FTXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
FTXL Omega Ratio Rank: 96
FTXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
FTXL Martin Ratio Rank: 98

AIS

AIS Risk / Return Rank: 97
AIS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
AIS Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
AIS Omega Ratio Rank: 96
AIS Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
AIS Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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. AIS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) and VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF (AIS). 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.

	FTXL	AIS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	6.33	6.34	-0.02
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.74	5.78	-0.04
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.78	1.80	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	15.62	14.41	+1.21
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	58.28	47.43	+10.85
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTXL vs. AIS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTXL Sharpe Ratio is 6.33, which is comparable to the AIS Sharpe Ratio of 6.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTXL and AIS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FTXL	AIS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.33	6.34	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.94	3.24	-2.31

Drawdowns

FTXL vs. AIS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTXL drawdown since its inception was -43.87%, which is greater than AIS's maximum drawdown of -32.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXL and AIS.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTXL	AIS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.87%	-32.78%	-11.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.51%	-15.84%	+1.33%
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	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.56%	-5.45%	-5.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.88%	4.80%	-0.92%

Volatility

FTXL vs. AIS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) is 14.28%, while VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF (AIS) has a volatility of 16.12%. This indicates that FTXL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AIS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTXL	AIS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.28%	16.12%	-1.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.98%	29.95%	-0.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.94%	36.00%	-0.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.02%	38.04%	-2.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.25%	38.04%	-3.79%

FTXL vs. AIS - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTXL has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than AIS's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTXL vs. AIS - Dividend Comparison

FTXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.12%, while AIS has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
AIS VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	0.12%	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 AIS in my portfolio?

FTXL and AIS have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTXL or AIS?

AIS has higher volatility (16.12%) compared to FTXL (14.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTXL dropped -43.87% vs AIS's -32.78%.

Which ETF is better, FTXL or AIS?

On 1-year performance, AIS leads with 226.72% vs 225.15% for FTXL. On fees, FTXL is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FTXL has been the lower-risk option at 14.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTXL or AIS?

Over the 1-year period, AIS has performed better with a 226.72% return vs 225.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTXL or AIS?

FTXL is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for AIS.

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

FTXL has the higher dividend yield at 0.12%, compared with 0.00% for AIS.

What is the main difference between FTXL and AIS?

FTXL is categorized as Semiconductors, while AIS is Technology Equities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and VistaShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTXL and 0.75% for AIS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.34 vs 6.33), 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.