FTXR vs. SEA

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

FTXR (First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF) and SEA (U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF) are both Industrials Equities funds - FTXR tracks the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Transportation Index while SEA tracks the U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, FTXR returned 15.72%/yr vs 18.50%/yr for SEA. Their 0.53 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. Both charge a 0.60% expense ratio.

Performance

FTXR vs. SEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (FTXR) and U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF (SEA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTXR achieves a 16.17% return, which is significantly lower than SEA's 30.53% return.

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%

SEA

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 10.87%
• 6M: 19.99%
• YTD: 30.53%
• 1Y: 39.66%
• 3Y*: 18.50%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.71%

*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
SEA U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF	$132.51K	$401.66K	$242.27K

FTXR vs. SEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
FTXR First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF	16.17%	14.70%	17.09%	20.93%	-22.70%
SEA U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF	30.53%	16.78%	2.52%	19.33%	-18.36%

Correlation

The correlation between FTXR and SEA is 0.43, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 20, 2022	0.53

The correlation between FTXR and SEA shifts across timeframes, from 0.43 (1 year) to 0.53 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FTXR vs. SEA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTXR	SEA
Industrials	67.8%	95.5%
Consumer Cyclical	31.7%	-
Energy	0.5%	3.5%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-0.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	0.1%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FTXR vs. SEA — 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

SEA

SEA Risk / Return Rank: 89
SEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
SEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
SEA Omega Ratio Rank: 87
SEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
SEA Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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. SEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (FTXR) and U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF (SEA). 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	SEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	2.36	-0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.84	3.28	-0.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.40	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	3.74	-0.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.28	13.87	-3.59

FTXR vs. SEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTXR Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is comparable to the SEA Sharpe Ratio of 2.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTXR and SEA, 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. SEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTXR drawdown since its inception was -52.06%, which is greater than SEA's maximum drawdown of -39.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXR and SEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTXR	SEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.06%	-39.53%	-12.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.49%	-10.67%	-3.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.71%	-32.42%	+2.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.96%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.77%	-0.04%	-1.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.89%	-13.88%	+2.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.22%	2.87%	+1.35%

Volatility

FTXR vs. SEA - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (FTXR) has a higher volatility of 4.93% compared to U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF (SEA) at 4.20%. This indicates that FTXR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTXR	SEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.93%	4.20%	+0.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.94%	13.07%	+3.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.47%	16.93%	+4.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.94%	21.55%	+2.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.68%	21.55%	+3.13%

FTXR vs. SEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

FTXR vs. SEA - Dividend Comparison

FTXR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.97%, less than SEA's 5.18% 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%
SEA U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF	5.18%	6.76%	18.47%	9.85%	18.73%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTXR and SEA in my portfolio?

FTXR and SEA have a correlation of 0.43, 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 SEA?

FTXR has higher volatility (4.93%) compared to SEA (4.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTXR dropped -52.06% vs SEA's -39.53%.

Which ETF is better, FTXR or SEA?

On 3-year performance, SEA leads with 18.50% vs 15.72% for FTXR. Both ETFs have the same 0.60% expense ratio. On volatility, SEA has been the lower-risk option at 4.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTXR or SEA?

Over the 3-year period, SEA has performed better with a 18.50% return vs 15.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTXR or SEA?

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

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

SEA has the higher dividend yield at 5.18%, compared with 0.97% for FTXR.

What is the main difference between FTXR and SEA?

FTXR tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Transportation Index, while SEA tracks U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo Index - Benchmark TR Gross. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and US Global.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 2.03), 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.