FTXL vs. FSELX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) and FSELX (Fidelity Select Semiconductors Portfolio) are both Semiconductors funds. Over the past 5 years, FTXL returned 34.63%/yr vs 46.95%/yr for FSELX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FTXL charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for FSELX.

Performance

FTXL vs. FSELX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) and Fidelity Select Semiconductors Portfolio (FSELX). 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 FSELX's 85.56% return.

FTXL

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

FSELX

• 1D: 6.35%
• 1M: 26.53%
• YTD: 85.56%
• 6M: 83.27%
• 1Y: 166.37%
• 3Y*: 68.85%
• 5Y*: 46.95%
• 10Y*: 39.21%

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

FTXL vs. FSELX - 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%
FSELX Fidelity Select Semiconductors Portfolio	85.56%	52.17%	49.68%	78.49%	-35.27%	59.16%	44.33%	64.50%	-12.01%	34.51%

Correlation

The correlation between FTXL and FSELX is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2016	0.93

The correlation between FTXL and FSELX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FTXL vs. FSELX — 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

FSELX

FSELX Risk / Return Rank: 97
FSELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
FSELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
FSELX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
FSELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
FSELX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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. FSELX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) and Fidelity Select Semiconductors Portfolio (FSELX). 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	FSELX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	6.33	5.35	+0.97
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.74	5.23	+0.52
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.78	1.71	+0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	15.62	12.18	+3.44
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	58.28	46.77	+11.51
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. FSELX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTXL Sharpe Ratio is 6.33, which is comparable to the FSELX Sharpe Ratio of 5.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTXL and FSELX, 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	FSELX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.33	5.35	+0.97
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97	1.21	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.12	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.94	0.55	+0.39

Drawdowns

FTXL vs. FSELX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTXL drawdown since its inception was -43.87%, smaller than the maximum FSELX drawdown of -82.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXL and FSELX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTXL	FSELX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.87%	-82.54%	+38.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.51%	-14.38%	-0.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-41.57%	-36.31%	-5.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.87%	-46.37%	+2.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-46.37%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.56%	-28.70%	+18.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.88%	3.74%	+0.14%

Volatility

FTXL vs. FSELX - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) has a higher volatility of 14.28% compared to Fidelity Select Semiconductors Portfolio (FSELX) at 12.01%. This indicates that FTXL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FSELX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTXL	FSELX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.28%	12.01%	+2.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.98%	25.42%	+3.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.94%	32.74%	+3.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.02%	38.97%	-2.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.25%	35.07%	-0.82%

FTXL vs. FSELX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTXL has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than FSELX's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTXL vs. FSELX - Dividend Comparison

FTXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.12%, less than FSELX's 8.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FSELX Fidelity Select Semiconductors Portfolio	8.83%	11.11%	7.97%	7.20%	6.69%	6.99%	8.13%	3.36%	26.80%	14.44%	3.82%	15.22%
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 FSELX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, FTXL and FSELX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FTXL or FSELX?

FTXL has higher volatility (14.28%) compared to FSELX (12.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTXL dropped -43.87% vs FSELX's -82.54%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.33 vs 5.35), 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.