FTXL vs. SMHX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) and SMHX (VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF) are both Semiconductors funds - FTXL tracks the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index while SMHX tracks the MarketVector™ US Listed Fabless Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, FTXL returned 225.15% vs 139.42% for SMHX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FTXL charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMHX.

Performance

FTXL vs. SMHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) and VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX). 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 SMHX's 78.44% return.

FTXL

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

SMHX

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: 33.64%
• YTD: 78.44%
• 6M: 72.62%
• 1Y: 139.42%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FTXL vs. SMHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	115.70%	48.94%	-4.79%
SMHX VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF	78.44%	30.00%	17.76%

Correlation

The correlation between FTXL and SMHX is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 29, 2024	0.89

The correlation between FTXL and SMHX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

FTXL vs. SMHX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTXL	SMHX
Technology	99.5%	100.0%
Industrials	0.5%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FTXL vs. SMHX — 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

SMHX

SMHX Risk / Return Rank: 93
SMHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
SMHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
SMHX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
SMHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
SMHX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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. SMHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) and VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX). 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	SMHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	6.33	4.30	+2.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.74	4.50	+1.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.78	1.59	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	15.62	8.22	+7.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	58.28	23.13	+35.15
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. SMHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTXL Sharpe Ratio is 6.33, which is higher than the SMHX Sharpe Ratio of 4.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTXL and SMHX, 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	SMHX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.33	4.30	+2.03
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	1.94	-1.01

Drawdowns

FTXL vs. SMHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTXL drawdown since its inception was -43.87%, which is greater than SMHX's maximum drawdown of -38.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXL and SMHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTXL	SMHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.87%	-38.53%	-5.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.51%	-17.06%	+2.55%
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%	-7.33%	-3.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.88%	6.05%	-2.17%

Volatility

FTXL vs. SMHX - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) has a higher volatility of 14.28% compared to VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX) at 11.81%. This indicates that FTXL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMHX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTXL	SMHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.28%	11.81%	+2.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.98%	25.06%	+3.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.94%	32.69%	+3.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.02%	39.97%	-3.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.25%	39.97%	-5.72%

FTXL vs. SMHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTXL has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than SMHX's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTXL vs. SMHX - Dividend Comparison

FTXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.12%, more than SMHX's 0.01% 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%
SMHX VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF	0.01%	0.02%	0.04%	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 SMHX in my portfolio?

FTXL and SMHX have a correlation of 0.87, 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 SMHX?

FTXL has higher volatility (14.28%) compared to SMHX (11.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTXL dropped -43.87% vs SMHX's -38.53%.

Which ETF is better, FTXL or SMHX?

On 1-year performance, FTXL leads with 225.15% vs 139.42% for SMHX. On fees, SMHX is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, SMHX has been the lower-risk option at 11.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTXL or SMHX?

Over the 1-year period, FTXL has performed better with a 225.15% return vs 139.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTXL or SMHX?

SMHX is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTXL.

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

FTXL has the higher dividend yield at 0.12%, compared with 0.01% for SMHX.

What is the main difference between FTXL and SMHX?

FTXL tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index, while SMHX tracks MarketVector™ US Listed Fabless Semiconductor Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTXL and 0.35% for SMHX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.33 vs 4.30), 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.