FTXN vs. DFCA
FTXN (First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF) and DFCA (Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTXN is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Oil & Gas Index, while DFCA is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by Dimensional. FTXN is passively managed, while DFCA is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, FTXN returned 9.93%/yr vs 2.59%/yr for DFCA. Their -0.12 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. FTXN charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for DFCA.
Performance
FTXN vs. DFCA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTXN achieves a 28.95% return, which is significantly higher than DFCA's 0.54% return.
FTXN
- 1D
- -2.67%
- 1M
- 7.00%
- 6M
- 11.17%
- YTD
- 28.95%
- 1Y
- 33.02%
- 3Y*
- 9.93%
- 5Y*
- 19.98%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 8.41%
DFCA
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- -0.87%
- 6M
- -0.30%
- YTD
- 0.54%
- 1Y
- 3.59%
- 3Y*
- 2.59%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 2.48%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2.68M | $2.30M | $2.79M | |
| $2.20M | $2.46M | $45.63M |
FTXN vs. DFCA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
FTXN First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF | 28.95% | -0.17% | 4.06% | 12.79% |
DFCA Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF | 0.54% | 2.99% | 1.49% | 2.68% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTXN and DFCA is -0.33, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.33 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | -0.12 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 27, 2023 | -0.12 |
Over the past year, the inverse relationship between FTXN and DFCA has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.12 to -0.33, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.
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Return for Risk
FTXN vs. DFCA — Risk / Return Rank
FTXN
DFCA
FTXN vs. DFCA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF (FTXN) and Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF (DFCA). 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.
| FTXN | DFCA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.58 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.91 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.40 | -0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.02 | 2.04 | -0.02 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.07 | 5.83 | -0.76 |
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Drawdowns
FTXN vs. DFCA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTXN drawdown since its inception was -73.49%, which is greater than DFCA's maximum drawdown of -3.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXN and DFCA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FTXN | DFCA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -73.49% | -3.28% | -70.21% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.42% | -1.77% | -14.65% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -26.96% | -3.28% | -23.68% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.97% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -10.00% | -1.04% | -8.96% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -19.08% | -0.69% | -18.39% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.54% | 0.62% | +5.92% |
Volatility
FTXN vs. DFCA - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF (FTXN) has a higher volatility of 7.70% compared to Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF (DFCA) at 0.71%. This indicates that FTXN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFCA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FTXN | DFCA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.70% | 0.71% | +6.99% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 18.62% | 1.45% | +17.17% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 23.58% | 1.82% | +21.76% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 29.44% | 2.46% | +26.98% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 31.70% | 2.46% | +29.24% |
FTXN vs. DFCA - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTXN has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than DFCA's 0.19% expense ratio.
Dividends
FTXN vs. DFCA - Dividend Comparison
FTXN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.82%, less than DFCA's 2.76% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFCA Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF | 2.76% | 2.86% | 2.86% | 1.24% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
FTXN First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF | 1.82% | 2.83% | 2.51% | 3.41% | 2.26% | 1.04% | 1.76% | 2.72% | 2.16% | 1.78% | 0.20% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FTXN and DFCA have a correlation of -0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FTXN has higher volatility (7.70%) compared to DFCA (0.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTXN dropped -73.49% vs DFCA's -3.28%.
On 3-year performance, FTXN leads with 9.93% vs 2.59% for DFCA. On fees, DFCA is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, DFCA has been the lower-risk option at 0.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, FTXN has performed better with a 9.93% return vs 2.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
DFCA is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTXN.
DFCA has the higher dividend yield at 2.76%, compared with 1.82% for FTXN.
FTXN is categorized as Energy Equities, while DFCA is Municipal Bonds. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTXN and 0.19% for DFCA.
DFCA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.41), 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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