FTXL vs. SEMY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) and SEMY (GraniteShares YieldBOOST Semiconductors ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index, while SEMY is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by GraniteShares. FTXL is passively managed, while SEMY is actively managed. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FTXL charges 0.60%/yr vs 1.07%/yr for SEMY.

Performance

FTXL vs. SEMY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) and GraniteShares YieldBOOST Semiconductors ETF (SEMY). 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 SEMY's 39.74% return.

FTXL

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

SEMY

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 7.57%
• YTD: 39.74%
• 6M: 34.49%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FTXL vs. SEMY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	115.70%	11.80%
SEMY GraniteShares YieldBOOST Semiconductors ETF	39.74%	-0.24%

Correlation

The correlation between FTXL and SEMY is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 2025	0.83

Return for Risk

FTXL vs. SEMY — 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

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. SEMY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) and GraniteShares YieldBOOST Semiconductors ETF (SEMY). 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	SEMY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	6.33	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.74	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.78	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	15.62	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	58.28	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FTXL	SEMY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.33	—	—
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	3.31	-2.38

Drawdowns

FTXL vs. SEMY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTXL drawdown since its inception was -43.87%, which is greater than SEMY's maximum drawdown of -11.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXL and SEMY.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTXL	SEMY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.87%	-11.46%	-32.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.51%	—	—
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%	-2.60%	-7.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.88%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	FTXL	SEMY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.28%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.98%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.94%	26.31%	+9.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.02%	26.31%	+9.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.25%	26.31%	+7.94%

FTXL vs. SEMY - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTXL has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than SEMY's 1.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTXL vs. SEMY - Dividend Comparison

FTXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.12%, less than SEMY's 82.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
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%
SEMY GraniteShares YieldBOOST Semiconductors ETF	82.11%	17.55%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTXL and SEMY in my portfolio?

FTXL and SEMY have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, FTXL or SEMY?

On fees, FTXL is cheaper at 0.60% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTXL or SEMY?

FTXL is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 1.07% for SEMY.

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

SEMY has the higher dividend yield at 82.11%, compared with 0.12% for FTXL.

What is the main difference between FTXL and SEMY?

FTXL is categorized as Semiconductors, while SEMY is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and GraniteShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTXL and 1.07% for SEMY.