FTXR vs. FTXL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTXR (First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF) and FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTXR is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Transportation Index, while FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FTXR returned 6.66%/yr vs 34.63%/yr for FTXL. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.60% expense ratio.

Performance

FTXR vs. FTXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (FTXR) and First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTXR achieves a 14.58% return, which is significantly lower than FTXL's 115.70% return.

FTXR

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 11.32%
• YTD: 14.58%
• 6M: 18.08%
• 1Y: 43.09%
• 3Y*: 19.84%
• 5Y*: 6.66%
• 10Y*: —

FTXL

• 1D: 2.21%
• 1M: 30.59%
• YTD: 115.70%
• 6M: 113.17%
• 1Y: 225.15%
• 3Y*: 61.52%
• 5Y*: 34.63%
• 10Y*: —

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

FTXR vs. FTXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTXR First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF	14.58%	14.70%	17.09%	20.93%	-25.38%	24.02%	15.03%	14.82%	-15.27%	15.82%
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	115.70%	48.94%	7.59%	54.41%	-33.88%	36.04%	46.08%	61.77%	-14.47%	32.19%

Correlation

The correlation between FTXR and FTXL is 0.52, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2016	0.54

The correlation between FTXR and FTXL shifts across timeframes, from 0.52 (1 year) to 0.63 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FTXR vs. FTXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTXR	FTXL
Industrials	67.1%	0.5%
Consumer Cyclical	32.4%	-
Energy	0.6%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	99.5%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FTXR vs. FTXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTXR

FTXR Risk / Return Rank: 57
FTXR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
FTXR Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
FTXR Omega Ratio Rank: 52
FTXR Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
FTXR Martin Ratio Rank: 57

FTXL

FTXL Risk / Return Rank: 97
FTXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
FTXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
FTXL Omega Ratio Rank: 96
FTXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
FTXL Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

FTXR vs. FTXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (FTXR) and First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL). 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.

	FTXR	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.99	6.33	-4.34
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.80	5.74	-2.95
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.78	-0.45
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.99	15.62	-12.63
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.08	58.28	-48.20
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTXR vs. FTXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTXR Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is lower than the FTXL Sharpe Ratio of 6.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTXR and FTXL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FTXR	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.99	6.33	-4.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	0.97	-0.69
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.94	-0.53

Drawdowns

FTXR vs. FTXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTXR drawdown since its inception was -52.06%, which is greater than FTXL's maximum drawdown of -43.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXR and FTXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTXR	FTXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.06%	-43.87%	-8.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.49%	-14.51%	+0.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.71%	-41.57%	+11.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.96%	-43.87%	+9.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.09%	0.00%	-1.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.06%	-10.56%	-0.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.29%	3.88%	+0.41%

Volatility

FTXR vs. FTXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (FTXR) is 6.70%, while First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) has a volatility of 14.28%. This indicates that FTXR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTXR	FTXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.70%	14.28%	-7.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.48%	28.98%	-12.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.79%	35.94%	-14.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.85%	36.02%	-12.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.75%	34.25%	-9.50%

FTXR vs. FTXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both FTXR and FTXL have an expense ratio of 0.60%.

Dividends

FTXR vs. FTXL - Dividend Comparison

FTXR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.14%, more than FTXL's 0.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	0.12%	0.28%	0.54%	0.60%	0.89%	0.25%	0.48%	0.92%	0.71%	0.47%	0.12%
FTXR First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF	1.14%	1.52%	2.13%	1.50%	2.38%	0.67%	0.33%	1.34%	1.74%	1.18%	0.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTXR and FTXL in my portfolio?

FTXR and FTXL have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTXR or FTXL?

FTXL has higher volatility (14.28%) compared to FTXR (6.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTXR dropped -52.06% vs FTXL's -43.87%.

Which ETF is better, FTXR or FTXL?

On 5-year performance, FTXL leads with 34.63% vs 6.66% for FTXR. Both ETFs have the same 0.60% expense ratio. On volatility, FTXR has been the lower-risk option at 6.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTXR or FTXL?

Over the 5-year period, FTXL has performed better with a 34.63% return vs 6.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTXR or FTXL?

FTXR and FTXL have the same expense ratio: 0.60% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTXR or FTXL?

FTXR has the higher dividend yield at 1.14%, compared with 0.12% for FTXL.

What is the main difference between FTXR and FTXL?

FTXR is categorized as Industrials Equities, while FTXL is Semiconductors. FTXR tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Transportation Index, while FTXL tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.33 vs 1.99), 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.