FXL vs. GTEK

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

FXL (First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund) and GTEK (Goldman Sachs Future Tech Leaders Equity ETF) are both Technology Equities funds. FXL is passively managed, while GTEK is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, FXL returned 20.06%/yr vs 29.45%/yr for GTEK. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FXL charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for GTEK.

Performance

FXL vs. GTEK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) and Goldman Sachs Future Tech Leaders Equity ETF (GTEK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FXL achieves a 20.92% return, which is significantly lower than GTEK's 42.08% return.

FXL

• 1D: -2.00%
• 1M: -3.96%
• 6M: 16.27%
• YTD: 20.92%
• 1Y: 30.55%
• 3Y*: 20.06%
• 5Y*: 10.90%
• 10Y*: 19.83%

GTEK

• 1D: -4.38%
• 1M: -3.33%
• 6M: 34.40%
• YTD: 42.08%
• 1Y: 59.49%
• 3Y*: 29.45%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FXL vs. GTEK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FXL First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund	20.92%	13.29%	16.13%	40.50%	-30.44%	3.30%
GTEK Goldman Sachs Future Tech Leaders Equity ETF	42.08%	23.68%	15.94%	33.58%	-46.73%	-2.50%

Correlation

The correlation between FXL and GTEK is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 16, 2021	0.92

The correlation between FXL and GTEK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

FXL vs. GTEK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FXL	GTEK
Technology	89.9%	74.5%
Communication Services	5.2%	3.7%
Industrials	3.7%	8.1%
Consumer Cyclical	0.8%	4.9%
Financial Services	0.5%	1.2%
Basic Materials	-	3.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	1.1%
Real Estate	-	2.3%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FXL vs. GTEK — Risk / Return Rank

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

FXL

FXL Risk / Return Rank: 46
FXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
FXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
FXL Omega Ratio Rank: 40
FXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
FXL Martin Ratio Rank: 50

GTEK

GTEK Risk / Return Rank: 81
GTEK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
GTEK Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
GTEK Omega Ratio Rank: 71
GTEK Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
GTEK Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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. GTEK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) and Goldman Sachs Future Tech Leaders Equity ETF (GTEK). 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.

	FXL	GTEK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.23	2.01	-0.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.71	2.56	-0.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.33	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.26	5.37	-3.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.72	15.79	-9.07

FXL vs. GTEK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXL Sharpe Ratio is 1.23, which is lower than the GTEK Sharpe Ratio of 2.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXL and GTEK, 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

FXL vs. GTEK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXL drawdown since its inception was -61.41%, which is greater than GTEK's maximum drawdown of -53.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXL and GTEK.

Drawdown Indicators

	FXL	GTEK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.41%	-53.77%	-7.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.56%	-11.13%	-2.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.27%	-27.49%	-0.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.49%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.49%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.19%	-9.70%	+0.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.34%	-26.99%	+15.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.56%	3.78%	+0.78%

Volatility

FXL vs. GTEK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) is 9.85%, while Goldman Sachs Future Tech Leaders Equity ETF (GTEK) has a volatility of 12.78%. This indicates that FXL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GTEK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FXL	GTEK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.85%	12.78%	-2.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.56%	26.10%	-5.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.05%	29.74%	-4.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.66%	28.82%	-3.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.46%	28.82%	-3.36%

FXL vs. GTEK - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXL has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is lower than GTEK's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

FXL vs. GTEK - Dividend Comparison

Neither FXL nor GTEK has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
GTEK Goldman Sachs Future Tech Leaders Equity ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.26%	0.03%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FXL and GTEK in my portfolio?

FXL and GTEK have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FXL or GTEK?

GTEK has higher volatility (12.78%) compared to FXL (9.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXL dropped -61.41% vs GTEK's -53.77%.

Which ETF is better, FXL or GTEK?

On 3-year performance, GTEK leads with 29.45% vs 20.06% for FXL. On fees, FXL is cheaper at 0.61% per year. On volatility, FXL has been the lower-risk option at 9.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FXL or GTEK?

Over the 3-year period, GTEK has performed better with a 29.45% return vs 20.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FXL or GTEK?

FXL is cheaper with a 0.61% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GTEK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FXL or GTEK?

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

What is the main difference between FXL and GTEK?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Goldman Sachs. Their fees differ too: 0.61% for FXL and 0.75% for GTEK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GTEK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.23), 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.