FTXN vs. XLEI

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

FTXN (First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF) and XLEI (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) are both Energy Equities funds. FTXN is passively managed, while XLEI is actively managed. Over the past year, FTXN returned 33.02% vs 31.42% for XLEI. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FTXN charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XLEI.

Performance

FTXN vs. XLEI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF (FTXN) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLEI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTXN achieves a 28.95% return, which is significantly higher than XLEI's 21.12% 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%

XLEI

• 1D: -1.73%
• 1M: 7.14%
• 6M: 11.38%
• YTD: 21.12%
• 1Y: 31.42%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 28.09%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FTXN First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF	$2.20M	$2.46M	$45.63M
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	$1.76M	$1.48M	$1.32M

FTXN vs. XLEI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FTXN First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF	28.95%	-1.14%
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	21.12%	6.17%

Correlation

The correlation between FTXN and XLEI is 0.93, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025	0.93

The correlation between FTXN and XLEI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

FTXN vs. XLEI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTXN	XLEI
Energy	100.0%	100.0%
Industrials	2.3%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	102.5%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FTXN vs. XLEI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FTXN

FTXN Risk / Return Rank: 46
FTXN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
FTXN Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
FTXN Omega Ratio Rank: 44
FTXN Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
FTXN Martin Ratio Rank: 41

XLEI

XLEI Risk / Return Rank: 82
XLEI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
XLEI Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
XLEI Omega Ratio Rank: 81
XLEI Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
XLEI Martin Ratio Rank: 79

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FTXN vs. XLEI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF (FTXN) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLEI). 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	XLEI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.41	2.24	-0.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.90	2.81	-0.91
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.38	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.02	3.85	-1.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.07	11.59	-6.52

FTXN vs. XLEI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTXN Sharpe Ratio is 1.41, which is lower than the XLEI Sharpe Ratio of 2.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTXN and XLEI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FTXN vs. XLEI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTXN drawdown since its inception was -73.49%, which is greater than XLEI's maximum drawdown of -8.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXN and XLEI.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTXN	XLEI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.49%	-8.19%	-65.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.42%	-8.19%	-8.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.96%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.97%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.00%	-2.76%	-7.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.08%	-1.83%	-17.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.54%	2.72%	+3.82%

Volatility

FTXN vs. XLEI - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF (FTXN) has a higher volatility of 7.70% compared to State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLEI) at 4.35%. This indicates that FTXN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLEI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTXN	XLEI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.70%	4.35%	+3.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.62%	11.40%	+7.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.58%	14.12%	+9.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.44%	14.11%	+15.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.70%	14.11%	+17.59%

FTXN vs. XLEI - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTXN has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than XLEI's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTXN vs. XLEI - Dividend Comparison

FTXN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.82%, less than XLEI's 20.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
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%
XLEI State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	20.64%	10.17%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTXN and XLEI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, FTXN and XLEI 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.

Which is riskier, FTXN or XLEI?

FTXN has higher volatility (7.70%) compared to XLEI (4.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTXN dropped -73.49% vs XLEI's -8.19%.

Which ETF is better, FTXN or XLEI?

On 1-year performance, FTXN leads with 33.02% vs 31.42% for XLEI. On fees, XLEI is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, XLEI has been the lower-risk option at 4.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTXN or XLEI?

Over the 1-year period, FTXN has performed better with a 33.02% return vs 31.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTXN or XLEI?

XLEI is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTXN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTXN or XLEI?

XLEI has the higher dividend yield at 20.64%, compared with 1.82% for FTXN.

What is the main difference between FTXN and XLEI?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTXN and 0.35% for XLEI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLEI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.24 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.