FTXN vs. VTEB
FTXN (First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF) and VTEB (Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTXN is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Oil & Gas Index, while VTEB is a Municipal Bonds fund tracking the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FTXN returned 19.98%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for VTEB. Their -0.09 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. FTXN charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTEB.
Performance
FTXN vs. VTEB - 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 VTEB's 0.78% 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%
VTEB
- 1D
- 0.06%
- 1M
- -1.40%
- 6M
- 0.00%
- YTD
- 0.78%
- 1Y
- 5.14%
- 3Y*
- 3.30%
- 5Y*
- 0.63%
- 10Y*
- 1.93%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.32%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2.20M | $2.46M | $45.63M | |
| $412.59M | $365.82M | $362.23M |
FTXN vs. VTEB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTXN First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF | 28.95% | -0.17% | 4.06% | 4.91% | 47.45% | 69.21% | -28.10% | 3.20% | -20.99% | -2.29% |
VTEB Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF | 0.78% | 3.72% | 1.31% | 6.15% | -7.99% | 1.14% | 5.19% | 7.35% | 1.04% | 4.87% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTXN and VTEB is -0.34, 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. | -0.34 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | -0.11 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | -0.08 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2016 | -0.09 |
Over the past year, the inverse relationship between FTXN and VTEB has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.09 to -0.34, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.
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Return for Risk
FTXN vs. VTEB — Risk / Return Rank
FTXN
VTEB
FTXN vs. VTEB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF (FTXN) and Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEB). 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 | VTEB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.48 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.75 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.39 | -0.15 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.02 | 1.90 | +0.12 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.07 | 6.17 | -1.10 |
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Drawdowns
FTXN vs. VTEB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTXN drawdown since its inception was -73.49%, which is greater than VTEB's maximum drawdown of -17.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXN and VTEB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FTXN | VTEB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -73.49% | -17.00% | -56.49% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.42% | -2.71% | -13.71% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -26.96% | -4.76% | -22.20% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.97% | -12.43% | -17.54% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -17.00% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -10.00% | -1.40% | -8.60% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -19.08% | -2.30% | -16.78% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.54% | 0.83% | +5.71% |
Volatility
FTXN vs. VTEB - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF (FTXN) has a higher volatility of 7.70% compared to Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEB) at 0.94%. This indicates that FTXN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTEB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FTXN | VTEB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.70% | 0.94% | +6.76% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 18.62% | 2.24% | +16.38% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 23.58% | 2.74% | +20.84% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 29.44% | 3.92% | +25.52% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 31.70% | 5.25% | +26.45% |
FTXN vs. VTEB - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTXN has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than VTEB's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
FTXN vs. VTEB - Dividend Comparison
FTXN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.82%, less than VTEB's 3.42% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% | 0.00% |
VTEB Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF | 3.42% | 3.29% | 3.14% | 2.79% | 2.09% | 1.64% | 1.99% | 2.30% | 2.25% | 1.96% | 1.66% | 0.58% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FTXN and VTEB have a correlation of -0.34, 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 VTEB (0.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTXN dropped -73.49% vs VTEB's -17.00%.
On 5-year performance, FTXN leads with 19.98% vs 0.63% for VTEB. On fees, VTEB is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTEB has been the lower-risk option at 0.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, FTXN has performed better with a 19.98% return vs 0.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VTEB is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTXN.
VTEB has the higher dividend yield at 3.42%, compared with 1.82% for FTXN.
FTXN is categorized as Energy Equities, while VTEB is Municipal Bonds. FTXN tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Oil & Gas Index, while VTEB tracks S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTXN and 0.03% for VTEB.
VTEB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 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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