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FXL vs. BNO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FXL vs. BNO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FXL (First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund) and BNO (United States Brent Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - FXL is a Technology Equities fund tracking the StrataQuant Technology Index, while BNO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Brent Crude Oil. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FXL returned 21.15%/yr vs 13.60%/yr for BNO. At a 0.19 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FXL charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for BNO.

Performance

FXL vs. BNO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) and United States Brent Oil Fund LP (BNO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FXL achieves a 31.98% return, which is significantly lower than BNO's 90.47% return. Over the past 10 years, FXL has outperformed BNO with an annualized return of 21.15%, while BNO has yielded a comparatively lower 13.60% annualized return.

FXL

1D
-0.88%
1M
17.50%
YTD
31.98%
6M
30.18%
1Y
48.07%
3Y*
26.93%
5Y*
13.48%
10Y*
21.15%

BNO

1D
1.99%
1M
-10.29%
YTD
90.47%
6M
86.00%
1Y
91.89%
3Y*
27.93%
5Y*
24.16%
10Y*
13.60%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FXL vs. BNO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FXL
First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund		31.98%13.29%16.13%40.50%-30.44%18.20%54.20%38.66%2.72%35.82%
BNO
United States Brent Oil Fund LP		90.47%-5.44%9.67%-3.43%35.25%62.34%-38.23%36.01%-15.30%15.43%

Correlation

The correlation between FXL and BNO is -0.21, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

-0.21

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

-0.03

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.06

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.12

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 3, 2010

0.19

The correlation between FXL and BNO shifts across timeframes, from -0.21 (1 year) to 0.19 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund

United States Brent Oil Fund LP

Often compared with FXL:
FXL vs. QQQFXL vs. FTECFXL vs. VUGFXL vs. XLKFXL vs. IYWFXL vs. QQQMFXL vs. VOO
Often compared with BNO:
BNO vs. USOBNO vs. XLEBNO vs. USLBNO vs. BOILBNO vs. UNGBNO vs. UCOBNO vs. XOM

Return for Risk

FXL vs. BNO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FXL
FXL Risk / Return Rank: 6363
Overall Rank
FXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6464
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 6060
Sortino Ratio Rank
FXL Omega Ratio Rank: 5757
Omega Ratio Rank
FXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 7171
Calmar Ratio Rank
FXL Martin Ratio Rank: 6565
Martin Ratio Rank
BNO
BNO Risk / Return Rank: 6565
Overall Rank
BNO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6666
Sharpe Ratio Rank
BNO Sortino Ratio Rank: 5656
Sortino Ratio Rank
BNO Omega Ratio Rank: 6060
Omega Ratio Rank
BNO Calmar Ratio Rank: 8888
Calmar Ratio Rank
BNO Martin Ratio Rank: 5555
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

FXL vs. BNO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) and United States Brent Oil Fund LP (BNO). 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.

FXLBNODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.16
2.23

-0.07

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.84
2.73

+0.11

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.35

1.38

-0.02

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.56

5.17

-1.61

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.95

9.76

+2.19

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FXL vs. BNO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXL Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is comparable to the BNO Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXL and BNO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

FXLBNODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.16

2.23

-0.07

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.54

0.69

-0.15

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.84

0.37

+0.47

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.56

0.14

+0.42

Drawdowns

FXL vs. BNO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXL drawdown since its inception was -61.41%, smaller than the maximum BNO drawdown of -87.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXL and BNO.

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Drawdown Indicators

FXLBNODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-61.41%

-87.06%

+25.65%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-13.56%

-17.87%

+4.31%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-28.27%

-23.75%

-4.52%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-38.49%

-33.70%

-4.79%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-38.49%

-75.18%

+36.69%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.88%

-10.29%

+9.41%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-11.37%

-40.17%

+28.80%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.03%

9.45%

-5.42%

Volatility

FXL vs. BNO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) is 7.61%, while United States Brent Oil Fund LP (BNO) has a volatility of 14.22%. This indicates that FXL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BNO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

FXLBNODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.61%

14.22%

-6.61%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

17.47%

36.10%

-18.63%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

22.42%

41.46%

-19.04%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

25.12%

35.38%

-10.26%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

25.28%

36.68%

-11.40%

FXL vs. BNO - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXL has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is lower than BNO's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

FXL vs. BNO - Dividend Comparison

Neither FXL nor BNO has paid dividends to shareholders.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
BNO
United States Brent Oil Fund LP		0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
FXL
First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund		0.00%0.01%0.11%0.41%0.34%0.11%0.04%0.37%0.32%0.27%1.12%0.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

FXL and BNO have a correlation of -0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

BNO has higher volatility (14.22%) compared to FXL (7.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXL dropped -61.41% vs BNO's -87.06%.

On 10-year performance, FXL leads with 21.15% vs 13.60% for BNO. On fees, FXL is cheaper at 0.61% per year. On volatility, FXL has been the lower-risk option at 7.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, FXL has performed better with a 21.15% return vs 13.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

FXL is cheaper with a 0.61% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for BNO.

FXL and BNO have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

FXL is categorized as Technology Equities, while BNO is Oil & Gas. FXL tracks StrataQuant Technology Index, while BNO tracks Front Month Brent Crude Oil. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Concierge Technologies. Their fees differ too: 0.61% for FXL and 0.90% for BNO.

BNO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs 2.16), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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