FTXL vs. FTEC

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) and FTEC (Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index, while FTEC is a Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FTXL returned 27.69%/yr vs 19.15%/yr for FTEC. Their correlation of 0.83 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FTXL charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for FTEC.

Performance

FTXL vs. FTEC - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTXL achieves a 78.28% return, which is significantly higher than FTEC's 27.43% return.

FTXL

• 1D: -1.76%
• 1M: -9.62%
• 6M: 57.32%
• YTD: 78.28%
• 1Y: 140.44%
• 3Y*: 48.06%
• 5Y*: 27.69%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 28.78%

FTEC

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 2.77%
• 6M: 33.06%
• YTD: 27.43%
• 1Y: 41.09%
• 3Y*: 31.20%
• 5Y*: 19.15%
• 10Y*: 24.27%
• ALL TIME*: 21.96%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FTEC Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF	$96.65M	$85.29M	$95.75M
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	$138.68M	$95.49M	$85.62M

FTXL vs. FTEC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	78.28%	48.94%	7.59%	54.41%	-33.88%	36.04%	46.08%	61.77%	-14.47%	32.19%
FTEC Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF	27.43%	22.11%	29.40%	53.30%	-29.59%	30.49%	45.83%	48.93%	-0.39%	36.83%

Correlation

The correlation between FTXL and FTEC is 0.82, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 21, 2016	0.83

The correlation between FTXL and FTEC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

FTXL vs. FTEC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTXL	FTEC
Technology	99.6%	98.6%
Industrials	0.4%	0.3%
Basic Materials	-	0.0%
Communication Services	-	0.5%
Consumer Cyclical	-	0.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.3%
Financial Services	-	0.5%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FTXL vs. FTEC — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FTXL

FTXL Risk / Return Rank: 90
FTXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
FTXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
FTXL Omega Ratio Rank: 87
FTXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
FTXL Martin Ratio Rank: 92

FTEC

FTEC Risk / Return Rank: 58
FTEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
FTEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
FTEC Omega Ratio Rank: 56
FTEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
FTEC Martin Ratio Rank: 52

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FTXL vs. FTEC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) and Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF (FTEC). 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	FTEC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.03	1.68	+1.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.18	2.26	+0.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.28	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.33	2.54	+1.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.79	6.81	+10.98

FTXL vs. FTEC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTXL Sharpe Ratio is 3.03, which is higher than the FTEC Sharpe Ratio of 1.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTXL and FTEC, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FTXL vs. FTEC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTXL drawdown since its inception was -43.87%, which is greater than FTEC's maximum drawdown of -34.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXL and FTEC.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTXL	FTEC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.87%	-34.95%	-8.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.64%	-16.26%	-16.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-41.57%	-27.30%	-14.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.87%	-34.95%	-8.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.95%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.26%	-4.83%	-17.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.62%	-5.59%	-5.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.93%	6.05%	+1.88%

Volatility

FTXL vs. FTEC - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) has a higher volatility of 18.99% compared to Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF (FTEC) at 9.07%. This indicates that FTXL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTEC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTXL	FTEC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	18.99%	9.07%	+9.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	40.24%	20.42%	+19.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	46.69%	24.54%	+22.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	38.39%	25.96%	+12.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.35%	25.02%	+10.33%

FTXL vs. FTEC - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTXL has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than FTEC's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTXL vs. FTEC - Dividend Comparison

FTXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.11%, less than FTEC's 0.35% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTEC Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF	0.35%	0.43%	0.49%	0.77%	0.93%	0.63%	0.83%	1.03%	1.20%	0.96%	1.25%	1.27%
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	0.11%	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 FTEC in my portfolio?

FTXL and FTEC have a correlation of 0.82, 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 FTEC?

FTXL has higher volatility (18.99%) compared to FTEC (9.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTXL dropped -43.87% vs FTEC's -34.95%.

Which ETF is better, FTXL or FTEC?

On 5-year performance, FTXL leads with 27.69% vs 19.15% for FTEC. On fees, FTEC is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, FTEC has been the lower-risk option at 9.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTXL or FTEC?

Over the 5-year period, FTXL has performed better with a 27.69% return vs 19.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTXL or FTEC?

FTEC is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTXL.

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

FTEC has the higher dividend yield at 0.35%, compared with 0.11% for FTXL.

What is the main difference between FTXL and FTEC?

FTXL is categorized as Semiconductors, while FTEC is Technology Equities. FTXL tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index, while FTEC tracks MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Fidelity. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTXL and 0.08% for FTEC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.03 vs 1.68), 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.