FTXR vs. HVAC

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

FTXR (First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF) and HVAC (AdvisorShares HVAC and Industrials ETF) are both Industrials Equities funds. FTXR is passively managed, while HVAC is actively managed. Over the past year, FTXR returned 43.28% vs 19.14% for HVAC. Their 0.65 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FTXR charges 0.60%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for HVAC.

Performance

FTXR vs. HVAC - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with FTXR having a 16.17% return and HVAC slightly higher at 16.27%.

FTXR

• 1D: 1.39%
• 1M: -0.55%
• 6M: 10.51%
• YTD: 16.17%
• 1Y: 43.28%
• 3Y*: 15.72%
• 5Y*: 8.98%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.89%

HVAC

• 1D: 2.31%
• 1M: -5.87%
• 6M: 3.26%
• YTD: 16.27%
• 1Y: 19.14%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 27.20%

*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)
FTXR First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF	$21.32M	$11.27M	$8.97M
HVAC AdvisorShares HVAC and Industrials ETF	$286.93K	$310.46K	$425.66K

FTXR vs. HVAC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FTXR First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF	16.17%	14.91%
HVAC AdvisorShares HVAC and Industrials ETF	16.27%	23.15%

Correlation

The correlation between FTXR and HVAC is 0.61, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 4, 2025	0.65

The correlation between FTXR and HVAC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.65 - a consistent structural relationship.

FTXR vs. HVAC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTXR	HVAC
Industrials	67.8%	75.1%
Consumer Cyclical	31.7%	3.2%
Energy	0.5%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	2.5%
Technology	-	19.2%
Utilities	-	5.0%

Return for Risk

FTXR vs. HVAC — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTXR

FTXR Risk / Return Rank: 80
FTXR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
FTXR Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
FTXR Omega Ratio Rank: 78
FTXR Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
FTXR Martin Ratio Rank: 77

HVAC

HVAC Risk / Return Rank: 26
HVAC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
HVAC Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
HVAC Omega Ratio Rank: 26
HVAC Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
HVAC Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

FTXR vs. HVAC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	FTXR	HVAC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	0.57	+1.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.84	0.95	+1.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.12	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	0.78	+2.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.28	3.00	+7.28

FTXR vs. HVAC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTXR Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is higher than the HVAC Sharpe Ratio of 0.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTXR and HVAC, 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

FTXR vs. HVAC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTXR drawdown since its inception was -52.06%, which is greater than HVAC's maximum drawdown of -24.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXR and HVAC.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTXR	HVAC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.06%	-24.72%	-27.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.49%	-24.72%	+10.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.71%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.96%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.77%	-16.68%	+14.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.89%	-4.65%	-6.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.22%	6.40%	-2.18%

Volatility

FTXR vs. HVAC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (FTXR) is 4.93%, while AdvisorShares HVAC and Industrials ETF (HVAC) has a volatility of 13.57%. This indicates that FTXR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HVAC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTXR	HVAC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.93%	13.57%	-8.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.94%	29.17%	-12.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.47%	33.64%	-12.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.94%	32.38%	-8.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.68%	32.38%	-7.70%

FTXR vs. HVAC - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTXR has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than HVAC's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTXR vs. HVAC - Dividend Comparison

FTXR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.97%, more than HVAC's 0.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
FTXR First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF	0.97%	1.52%	2.13%	1.50%	2.38%	0.67%	0.33%	1.34%	1.74%	1.18%	0.24%
HVAC AdvisorShares HVAC and Industrials ETF	0.17%	0.19%	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 FTXR and HVAC in my portfolio?

FTXR and HVAC have a correlation of 0.61, 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 HVAC?

HVAC has higher volatility (13.57%) compared to FTXR (4.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTXR dropped -52.06% vs HVAC's -24.72%.

Which ETF is better, FTXR or HVAC?

On 1-year performance, FTXR leads with 43.28% vs 19.14% for HVAC. On fees, FTXR is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FTXR has been the lower-risk option at 4.93%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTXR or HVAC?

Over the 1-year period, FTXR has performed better with a 43.28% return vs 19.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTXR or HVAC?

FTXR is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for HVAC.

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

FTXR has the higher dividend yield at 0.97%, compared with 0.17% for HVAC.

What is the main difference between FTXR and HVAC?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and AdvisorShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTXR and 1.00% for HVAC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 0.57), 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.