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FTXN vs. IXC
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FTXN vs. IXC

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FTXN (First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF) and IXC (iShares Global Energy ETF) are both Energy Equities funds - FTXN tracks the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Oil & Gas Index while IXC tracks the S&P Global Energy Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FTXN returned 17.77%/yr vs 19.62%/yr for IXC. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FTXN charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for IXC.

Performance

FTXN vs. IXC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF (FTXN) and iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with FTXN having a 32.82% return and IXC slightly lower at 32.12%.

FTXN

1D
0.19%
1M
-2.34%
YTD
32.82%
6M
27.63%
1Y
42.55%
3Y*
16.12%
5Y*
17.77%
10Y*
—

IXC

1D
-0.07%
1M
-1.98%
YTD
32.12%
6M
29.58%
1Y
50.36%
3Y*
19.06%
5Y*
19.62%
10Y*
10.08%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FTXN vs. IXC - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FTXN
First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF		32.82%-0.17%4.06%4.91%47.45%69.21%-28.10%3.20%-20.99%-2.29%
IXC
iShares Global Energy ETF		32.12%13.98%1.95%3.92%48.51%40.88%-31.00%12.67%-14.85%5.54%

Correlation

The correlation between FTXN and IXC is 0.94, 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

0.94

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.95

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.94

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2016

0.88

The correlation between FTXN and IXC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

FTXN vs. IXC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FTXN
IXC

Energy

100.0%
100.0%

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Energy

FTXN
100.0%
IXC
100.0%

Basic Materials

FTXN

-

IXC

-

Communication Services

FTXN

-

IXC

-

Consumer Cyclical

FTXN

-

IXC

-

Consumer Defensive

FTXN

-

IXC

-

Financial Services

FTXN

-

IXC

-

Healthcare

FTXN

-

IXC

-

Industrials

FTXN

-

IXC

-

Real Estate

FTXN

-

IXC

-

Technology

FTXN

-

IXC

-

Utilities

FTXN

-

IXC

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF

iShares Global Energy ETF

Often compared with FTXN:
FTXN vs. QQQMFTXN vs. XLEFTXN vs. VDEFTXN vs. PXEFTXN vs. VTIFTXN vs. FSPGXFTXN vs. AMLP
Often compared with IXC:
IXC vs. XLEIXC vs. VDEIXC vs. IYEIXC vs. OIHIXC vs. IUES.LIXC vs. XDW0.DEIXC vs. DDM

Return for Risk

FTXN vs. IXC — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FTXN
FTXN Risk / Return Rank: 5454
Overall Rank
FTXN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5656
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FTXN Sortino Ratio Rank: 5151
Sortino Ratio Rank
FTXN Omega Ratio Rank: 4949
Omega Ratio Rank
FTXN Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
FTXN Martin Ratio Rank: 5252
Martin Ratio Rank
IXC
IXC Risk / Return Rank: 8181
Overall Rank
IXC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8484
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IXC Sortino Ratio Rank: 7777
Sortino Ratio Rank
IXC Omega Ratio Rank: 7575
Omega Ratio Rank
IXC Calmar Ratio Rank: 8989
Calmar Ratio Rank
IXC Martin Ratio Rank: 8181
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

FTXN vs. IXC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF (FTXN) and iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC). 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.

FTXNIXCDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.87
2.71

-0.84

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.43
3.40

-0.96

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.30

1.44

-0.14

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.15

5.24

-2.09

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.77

15.73

-6.96

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTXN vs. IXC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTXN Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is lower than the IXC Sharpe Ratio of 2.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTXN and IXC, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

FTXNIXCDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.87

2.71

-0.84

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.60

0.84

-0.24

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

—

0.38

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.28

0.32

-0.04

Drawdowns

FTXN vs. IXC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTXN drawdown since its inception was -73.49%, which is greater than IXC's maximum drawdown of -67.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXN and IXC.

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Drawdown Indicators

FTXNIXCDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-73.49%

-67.88%

-5.61%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-13.59%

-9.66%

-3.93%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-26.96%

-19.06%

-7.90%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-29.97%

-24.93%

-5.04%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-64.16%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-7.29%

-4.91%

-2.38%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-19.23%

-17.48%

-1.75%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.86%

3.21%

+1.65%

Volatility

FTXN vs. IXC - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF (FTXN) has a higher volatility of 8.95% compared to iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) at 7.50%. This indicates that FTXN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IXC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

FTXNIXCDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

8.95%

7.50%

+1.45%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

17.82%

15.38%

+2.44%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

22.92%

18.73%

+4.19%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

29.67%

23.50%

+6.17%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

31.80%

26.85%

+4.95%

FTXN vs. IXC - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTXN has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than IXC's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTXN vs. IXC - Dividend Comparison

FTXN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.04%, less than IXC's 2.79% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FTXN
First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF		2.04%2.83%2.51%3.41%2.26%1.04%1.76%2.72%2.16%1.78%0.20%0.00%
IXC
iShares Global Energy ETF		2.79%3.68%4.56%3.45%4.76%3.98%4.86%7.00%3.51%3.05%2.86%3.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.94, FTXN and IXC move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

FTXN has higher volatility (8.95%) compared to IXC (7.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTXN dropped -73.49% vs IXC's -67.88%.

On 5-year performance, IXC leads with 19.62% vs 17.77% for FTXN. On fees, IXC is cheaper at 0.46% per year. On volatility, IXC has been the lower-risk option at 7.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, IXC has performed better with a 19.62% return vs 17.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IXC is cheaper with a 0.46% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTXN.

IXC has the higher dividend yield at 2.79%, compared with 2.04% for FTXN.

FTXN tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Oil & Gas Index, while IXC tracks S&P Global Energy Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTXN and 0.46% for IXC.

IXC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.71 vs 1.87), 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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