FTXO vs. XLF

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

FTXO (First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF) and XLF (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Financials Equities funds - FTXO tracks the NASDAQ US Banks Index while XLF tracks the Financial Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FTXO returned 8.64%/yr vs 10.20%/yr for XLF. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FTXO charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLF.

Performance

FTXO vs. XLF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF (FTXO) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTXO achieves a 8.60% return, which is significantly higher than XLF's -1.10% return.

FTXO

• 1D: 1.29%
• 1M: 7.19%
• YTD: 8.60%
• 6M: 6.28%
• 1Y: 32.49%
• 3Y*: 28.73%
• 5Y*: 8.64%
• 10Y*: —

XLF

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 3.75%
• YTD: -1.10%
• 6M: -2.09%
• 1Y: 8.66%
• 3Y*: 19.81%
• 5Y*: 10.20%
• 10Y*: 13.68%

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

FTXO vs. XLF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTXO First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF	8.60%	21.32%	29.05%	0.05%	-17.93%	40.53%	-12.53%	30.11%	-21.79%	14.25%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	-1.10%	14.90%	30.56%	12.03%	-10.59%	34.80%	-1.74%	31.88%	-13.06%	22.00%

Correlation

The correlation between FTXO and XLF is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 7, 2016	0.89

The correlation between FTXO and XLF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

FTXO vs. XLF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTXO	XLF
Financial Services	100.0%	98.0%
Technology	0.4%	1.8%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	0.2%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FTXO vs. XLF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

FTXO

FTXO Risk / Return Rank: 42
FTXO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
FTXO Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
FTXO Omega Ratio Rank: 44
FTXO Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
FTXO Martin Ratio Rank: 36

XLF

XLF Risk / Return Rank: 16
XLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
XLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
XLF Omega Ratio Rank: 16
XLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
XLF Martin Ratio Rank: 15

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.

FTXO vs. XLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF (FTXO) and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF). 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.

	FTXO	XLF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.57	0.60	+0.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.14	0.89	+1.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.11	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.96	0.59	+1.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.40	1.50	+3.90

FTXO vs. XLF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTXO Sharpe Ratio is 1.57, which is higher than the XLF Sharpe Ratio of 0.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTXO and XLF, 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

FTXO vs. XLF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTXO drawdown since its inception was -55.26%, smaller than the maximum XLF drawdown of -82.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXO and XLF.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTXO	XLF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.26%	-82.69%	+27.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.69%	-14.79%	-1.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.84%	-15.54%	-10.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.55%	-25.81%	-20.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.86%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.99%	-3.96%	+2.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.80%	-20.00%	+4.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.03%	5.78%	+0.25%

Volatility

FTXO vs. XLF - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF (FTXO) has a higher volatility of 5.82% compared to State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) at 4.12%. This indicates that FTXO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTXO	XLF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.82%	4.12%	+1.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.73%	11.27%	+4.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.88%	14.64%	+6.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.90%	18.58%	+8.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.94%	22.18%	+7.76%

FTXO vs. XLF - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTXO has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than XLF's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTXO vs. XLF - Dividend Comparison

FTXO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.65%, less than XLF's 1.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTXO First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF	1.65%	1.92%	2.18%	3.20%	2.94%	1.64%	2.74%	2.53%	3.51%	1.09%	0.16%	0.00%
XLF State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.82%	1.31%	1.42%	1.71%	2.04%	1.63%	2.03%	1.87%	2.08%	1.48%	21.10%	1.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTXO and XLF in my portfolio?

FTXO and XLF have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTXO or XLF?

FTXO has higher volatility (5.82%) compared to XLF (4.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTXO dropped -55.26% vs XLF's -82.69%.

Which ETF is better, FTXO or XLF?

On 5-year performance, XLF leads with 10.20% vs 8.64% for FTXO. On fees, XLF is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLF has been the lower-risk option at 4.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTXO or XLF?

Over the 5-year period, XLF has performed better with a 10.20% return vs 8.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTXO or XLF?

XLF is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTXO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTXO or XLF?

XLF has the higher dividend yield at 1.82%, compared with 1.65% for FTXO.

What is the main difference between FTXO and XLF?

FTXO tracks NASDAQ US Banks Index, while XLF tracks Financial Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTXO and 0.08% for XLF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs 0.59), 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.