FXH vs. FTXL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FXH (First Trust Health Care AlphaDEX Fund) and FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FXH is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the StrataQuant Health Care Index, while FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FXH returned 0.56%/yr vs 34.63%/yr for FTXL. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FXH charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXL.

Performance

FXH vs. FTXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Health Care AlphaDEX Fund (FXH) 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, FXH achieves a 0.68% return, which is significantly lower than FTXL's 115.70% return.

FXH

• 1D: 1.48%
• 1M: 1.65%
• YTD: 0.68%
• 6M: -0.88%
• 1Y: 13.28%
• 3Y*: 3.52%
• 5Y*: 0.56%
• 10Y*: 7.03%

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)

FXH vs. FTXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FXH First Trust Health Care AlphaDEX Fund	0.68%	10.16%	0.96%	-4.53%	-12.24%	15.20%	28.00%	22.26%	-1.33%	21.82%
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 FXH and FTXL is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.39
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2016	0.53

Over the past year, the correlation between FXH and FTXL has dropped to 0.30 - well below their long-term average of 0.53, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FXH vs. FTXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FXH	FTXL
Healthcare	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Industrials	-	0.5%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	99.5%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FXH vs. FTXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

FXH

FXH Risk / Return Rank: 24
FXH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
FXH Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
FXH Omega Ratio Rank: 23
FXH Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
FXH Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

FXH vs. FTXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Health Care AlphaDEX Fund (FXH) 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.

	FXH	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.85	6.33	-5.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.34	5.74	-4.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.78	-0.63
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.09	15.62	-14.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.33	58.28	-54.95
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FXH vs. FTXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXH Sharpe Ratio is 0.85, which is lower than the FTXL Sharpe Ratio of 6.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXH 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

	FXH	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85	6.33	-5.48
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.03	0.97	-0.93
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.94	-0.42

Drawdowns

FXH vs. FTXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXH drawdown since its inception was -43.70%, roughly equal to the maximum FTXL drawdown of -43.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXH and FTXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	FXH	FTXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.70%	-43.87%	+0.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.20%	-14.51%	+2.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.53%	-41.57%	+24.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.49%	-43.87%	+14.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.61%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.07%	0.00%	-9.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.46%	-10.56%	+1.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.99%	3.88%	+0.11%

Volatility

FXH vs. FTXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Health Care AlphaDEX Fund (FXH) is 4.16%, while First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) has a volatility of 14.28%. This indicates that FXH 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

	FXH	FTXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.16%	14.28%	-10.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.17%	28.98%	-17.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.75%	35.94%	-20.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.52%	36.02%	-19.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.47%	34.25%	-15.78%

FXH vs. FTXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXH has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is higher than FTXL's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

FXH vs. FTXL - Dividend Comparison

FXH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.85%, 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%
FXH First Trust Health Care AlphaDEX Fund	0.85%	0.75%	0.41%	0.24%	0.20%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FXH and FTXL in my portfolio?

FXH and FTXL have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FXH or FTXL?

FTXL has higher volatility (14.28%) compared to FXH (4.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXH dropped -43.70% vs FTXL's -43.87%.

Which ETF is better, FXH or FTXL?

On 5-year performance, FTXL leads with 34.63% vs 0.56% for FXH. On fees, FTXL is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FXH has been the lower-risk option at 4.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FXH or FTXL?

Over the 5-year period, FTXL has performed better with a 34.63% return vs 0.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FXH or FTXL?

FTXL is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.61% for FXH.

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

FXH has the higher dividend yield at 0.85%, compared with 0.12% for FTXL.

What is the main difference between FXH and FTXL?

FXH is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while FTXL is Semiconductors. FXH tracks StrataQuant Health Care Index, while FTXL tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. Their fees differ too: 0.61% for FXH and 0.60% for FTXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.33 vs 0.85), 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.