FTXL vs. ALB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) is Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index, while ALB (Albemarle Corporation) is a stock. Over the past 5 years, FTXL returned 34.63%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for ALB. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

FTXL vs. ALB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) and Albemarle Corporation (ALB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTXL achieves a 115.70% return, which is significantly higher than ALB's 19.31% return.

FTXL

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

ALB

• 1D: -2.00%
• 1M: -11.72%
• YTD: 19.31%
• 6M: 33.82%
• 1Y: 200.47%
• 3Y*: -5.45%
• 5Y*: 0.58%
• 10Y*: 9.19%

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

FTXL vs. ALB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	115.70%	48.94%	7.59%	54.41%	-33.88%	36.04%	46.08%	61.77%	-14.47%	32.19%
ALB Albemarle Corporation	19.31%	67.72%	-39.50%	-32.80%	-6.63%	59.76%	105.39%	-3.28%	-38.89%	50.22%

Correlation

The correlation between FTXL and ALB is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2016	0.46

The correlation between FTXL and ALB shifts across timeframes, from 0.34 (1 year) to 0.47 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FTXL vs. ALB — 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

ALB

ALB Risk / Return Rank: 93
ALB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
ALB Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
ALB Omega Ratio Rank: 89
ALB Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
ALB Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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. ALB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) and Albemarle Corporation (ALB). 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	ALB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	6.33	3.28	+3.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.74	3.26	+2.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.78	1.42	+0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	15.62	9.20	+6.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	58.28	21.20	+37.08
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. ALB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTXL Sharpe Ratio is 6.33, which is higher than the ALB Sharpe Ratio of 3.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTXL and ALB, 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	ALB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.33	3.28	+3.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97	0.01	+0.96
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.19	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.94	0.30	+0.63

Drawdowns

FTXL vs. ALB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTXL drawdown since its inception was -43.87%, smaller than the maximum ALB drawdown of -83.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXL and ALB.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTXL	ALB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.87%	-83.90%	+40.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.51%	-21.93%	+7.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-41.57%	-78.60%	+37.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.87%	-83.90%	+40.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-83.90%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-45.68%	+45.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.56%	-20.66%	+10.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.88%	9.50%	-5.62%

Volatility

FTXL vs. ALB - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) has a higher volatility of 14.28% compared to Albemarle Corporation (ALB) at 11.91%. This indicates that FTXL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ALB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTXL	ALB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.28%	11.91%	+2.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.98%	41.34%	-12.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.94%	61.57%	-25.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.02%	54.38%	-18.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.25%	48.17%	-13.92%

Dividends

FTXL vs. ALB - Dividend Comparison

FTXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.12%, less than ALB's 0.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ALB Albemarle Corporation	0.96%	1.15%	1.87%	1.11%	0.73%	0.67%	1.04%	2.01%	1.74%	1.00%	1.42%	2.07%
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%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTXL and ALB in my portfolio?

FTXL and ALB have a correlation of 0.34, 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 ALB?

FTXL has higher volatility (14.28%) compared to ALB (11.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTXL dropped -43.87% vs ALB's -83.90%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.33 vs 3.28), 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.