FTXL vs. UGA
FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) and UGA (United States Gasoline Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index, while UGA is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Unleaded Gasoline. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FTXL returned 33.38%/yr vs 22.69%/yr for UGA. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FTXL charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for UGA.
Performance
FTXL vs. UGA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTXL achieves a 111.02% return, which is significantly higher than UGA's 64.09% return.
FTXL
- 1D
- -7.99%
- 1M
- 10.24%
- YTD
- 111.02%
- 6M
- 108.37%
- 1Y
- 198.66%
- 3Y*
- 59.97%
- 5Y*
- 33.38%
- 10Y*
- —
UGA
- 1D
- -1.12%
- 1M
- -12.11%
- YTD
- 64.09%
- 6M
- 60.42%
- 1Y
- 59.74%
- 3Y*
- 18.95%
- 5Y*
- 22.69%
- 10Y*
- 14.31%
FTXL vs. UGA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 111.02% | 48.94% | 7.59% | 54.41% | -33.88% | 36.04% | 46.08% | 61.77% | -14.47% | 32.19% |
UGA United States Gasoline Fund LP | 64.09% | -2.00% | 3.77% | 1.27% | 46.34% | 68.49% | -24.88% | 41.25% | -28.07% | 1.69% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTXL and UGA is -0.10, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.10 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.00 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.06 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 21, 2016 | 0.13 |
The correlation between FTXL and UGA shifts across timeframes, from -0.10 (1 year) to 0.13 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FTXL vs. UGA — Risk / Return Rank
FTXL
UGA
FTXL vs. UGA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) and United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA). 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 | UGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +3.16 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.24 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.63 | 1.30 | +0.33 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 13.78 | 3.17 | +10.61 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 47.69 | 9.39 | +38.30 |
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Drawdowns
FTXL vs. UGA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTXL drawdown since its inception was -43.87%, smaller than the maximum UGA drawdown of -86.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXL and UGA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FTXL | UGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -43.87% | -86.59% | +42.72% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.51% | -18.96% | +4.45% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -41.57% | -26.68% | -14.89% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -43.87% | -38.11% | -5.76% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -75.89% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -7.99% | -18.05% | +10.06% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.53% | -36.69% | +26.16% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.18% | 6.43% | -2.25% |
Volatility
FTXL vs. UGA - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) has a higher volatility of 22.71% compared to United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA) at 9.24%. This indicates that FTXL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than UGA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FTXL | UGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 22.71% | 9.24% | +13.47% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 34.66% | 30.57% | +4.09% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 40.91% | 35.22% | +5.69% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 37.11% | 34.45% | +2.66% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 34.77% | 37.22% | -2.45% |
FTXL vs. UGA - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTXL has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than UGA's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
FTXL vs. UGA - Dividend Comparison
FTXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.13%, while UGA has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 0.13% | 0.28% | 0.54% | 0.60% | 0.89% | 0.25% | 0.48% | 0.92% | 0.71% | 0.47% | 0.12% |
UGA United States Gasoline Fund LP | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FTXL and UGA have a correlation of -0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FTXL has higher volatility (22.71%) compared to UGA (9.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTXL dropped -43.87% vs UGA's -86.59%.
On 5-year performance, FTXL leads with 33.38% vs 22.69% for UGA. On fees, FTXL is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, UGA has been the lower-risk option at 9.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, FTXL has performed better with a 33.38% return vs 22.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FTXL is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for UGA.
FTXL has the higher dividend yield at 0.13%, compared with 0.00% for UGA.
FTXL is categorized as Semiconductors, while UGA is Oil & Gas. FTXL tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index, while UGA tracks Front Month Unleaded Gasoline. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Concierge Technologies. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTXL and 0.75% for UGA.
FTXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.89 vs 1.73), 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.
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