FTXL vs. SOXL
Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) and Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3x Shares (SOXL).
FTXL and SOXL 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. SOXL is a passively managed fund by Direxion that tracks the performance of the PHLX Semiconductor Index (300%). It was launched on Mar 11, 2010. Both FTXL and SOXL 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. SOXL - Performance Comparison
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FTXL vs. SOXL - 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% |
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3x Shares | 24.34% | 54.91% | -12.31% | 226.98% | -85.66% | 118.84% | 70.04% | 231.83% | -39.07% | 141.71% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTXL achieves a 17.52% return, which is significantly lower than SOXL's 24.34% return.
FTXL
- 1D
- 3.21%
- 1M
- -2.91%
- YTD
- 17.52%
- 6M
- 32.85%
- 1Y
- 101.16%
- 3Y*
- 33.55%
- 5Y*
- 18.43%
- 10Y*
- —
SOXL
- 1D
- 9.08%
- 1M
- -16.73%
- YTD
- 24.34%
- 6M
- 41.78%
- 1Y
- 228.78%
- 3Y*
- 42.83%
- 5Y*
- 4.90%
- 10Y*
- 41.10%
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FTXL vs. SOXL - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTXL has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than SOXL's 0.99% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
FTXL vs. SOXL — Risk / Return Rank
FTXL
SOXL
FTXL vs. SOXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) and Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3x Shares (SOXL). 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 | SOXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 2.43 | 1.93 | +0.50 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 2.95 | 2.46 | +0.50 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.35 | +0.07 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 5.50 | 4.64 | +0.85 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 21.31 | 14.09 | +7.22 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| FTXL | SOXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.43 | 1.93 | +0.50 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.52 | 0.05 | +0.48 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.42 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.72 | 0.36 | +0.36 |
Correlation
The correlation between FTXL and SOXL is 0.96, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
FTXL vs. SOXL - Dividend Comparison
FTXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%, more than SOXL's 0.15% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3x Shares | 0.15% | 0.34% | 1.18% | 0.51% | 1.07% | 0.04% | 0.05% | 0.38% | 1.30% | 0.09% | 4.84% |
Drawdowns
FTXL vs. SOXL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTXL drawdown since its inception was -43.87%, smaller than the maximum SOXL drawdown of -90.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXL and SOXL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FTXL | SOXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -43.87% | -90.46% | +46.59% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -18.57% | -49.26% | +30.69% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -43.87% | -90.46% | +46.59% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -90.46% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.58% | -27.28% | +20.70% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.72% | -35.34% | +24.62% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.79% | 16.23% | -11.44% |
Volatility
FTXL vs. SOXL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) is 13.48%, while Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3x Shares (SOXL) has a volatility of 38.35%. This indicates that FTXL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SOXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FTXL | SOXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 13.48% | 38.35% | -24.87% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 28.09% | 79.93% | -51.84% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 41.94% | 119.50% | -77.56% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 35.39% | 105.40% | -70.01% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 33.99% | 97.72% | -63.73% |