FTXL vs. EEM

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM).

FTXL and EEM are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. FTXL is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. It was launched on Sep 20, 2016. EEM is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. It was launched on Apr 11, 2003. Both FTXL and EEM are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

FTXL vs. EEM - Performance Comparison

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

FTXL vs. EEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	17.52%	48.94%	7.59%	54.41%	-33.88%	36.04%	46.08%	61.77%	-14.47%	32.19%
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	4.61%	33.98%	6.49%	8.95%	-20.56%	-3.63%	17.02%	18.22%	-15.31%	37.26%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTXL achieves a 17.52% return, which is significantly higher than EEM's 4.61% return.

FTXL

• 1D: 3.21%
• 1M: -2.91%
• YTD: 17.52%
• 6M: 32.85%
• 1Y: 101.16%
• 3Y*: 33.55%
• 5Y*: 18.43%
• 10Y*: —

EEM

• 1D: 0.77%
• 1M: -6.94%
• YTD: 4.61%
• 6M: 7.86%
• 1Y: 33.69%
• 3Y*: 16.02%
• 5Y*: 3.61%
• 10Y*: 7.66%

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

FTXL vs. EEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTXL has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than EEM's 0.72% expense ratio.

EEM

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

FTXL

First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF

Return for Risk

FTXL vs. EEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTXL

FTXL Risk / Return Rank: 95
FTXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
FTXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
FTXL Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FTXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
FTXL Martin Ratio Rank: 97

EEM

EEM Risk / Return Rank: 83
EEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
EEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
EEM Omega Ratio Rank: 83
EEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
EEM Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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. EEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM). 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	EEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.43	1.67	+0.75
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.95	2.26	+0.70
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.33	+0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.50	2.52	+2.98
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	21.31	9.62	+11.69
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. EEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTXL Sharpe Ratio is 2.43, which is higher than the EEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTXL and EEM, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FTXL	EEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.43	1.67	+0.75
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52	0.20	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.38	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.72	0.35	+0.37

Correlation

The correlation between FTXL and EEM is 0.62, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

FTXL vs. EEM - Dividend Comparison

FTXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%, less than EEM's 2.12% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	0.23%	0.28%	0.54%	0.60%	0.89%	0.25%	0.48%	0.92%	0.71%	0.47%	0.12%	0.00%
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	2.12%	2.22%	2.43%	2.63%	2.50%	1.99%	1.45%	2.76%	2.24%	1.89%	1.89%	2.49%

Drawdowns

FTXL vs. EEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTXL drawdown since its inception was -43.87%, smaller than the maximum EEM drawdown of -66.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXL and EEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTXL	EEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.87%	-66.43%	+22.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.57%	-13.52%	-5.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.87%	-37.82%	-6.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-39.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.58%	-9.60%	+3.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.72%	-16.12%	+5.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.79%	3.55%	+1.24%

Volatility

FTXL vs. EEM - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) has a higher volatility of 13.48% compared to iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) at 9.51%. This indicates that FTXL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTXL	EEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.48%	9.51%	+3.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.09%	15.13%	+12.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	41.94%	20.24%	+21.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	35.39%	18.43%	+16.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.99%	20.32%	+13.67%