FXL vs. NFTY

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

FXL (First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund) and NFTY (First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FXL is a Technology Equities fund tracking the StrataQuant Technology Index, while NFTY is a India Equities fund tracking the NIFTY 50 Equal Weight Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FXL returned 19.83%/yr vs 7.60%/yr for NFTY. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FXL charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for NFTY.

Performance

FXL vs. NFTY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) and First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF (NFTY). 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 higher than NFTY's -7.65% return. Over the past 10 years, FXL has outperformed NFTY with an annualized return of 19.83%, while NFTY has yielded a comparatively lower 7.60% annualized 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%

NFTY

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: 1.23%
• 6M: -7.33%
• YTD: -7.65%
• 1Y: -7.96%
• 3Y*: 4.78%
• 5Y*: 5.61%
• 10Y*: 7.60%

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

FXL vs. NFTY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FXL First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund	20.92%	13.29%	16.13%	40.50%	-30.44%	18.20%	54.20%	38.66%	2.72%	35.82%
NFTY First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF	-7.65%	5.47%	5.18%	24.00%	-3.46%	26.83%	10.04%	0.58%	-1.51%	21.78%

Correlation

The correlation between FXL and NFTY is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.36
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 28, 2012	0.30

The correlation between FXL and NFTY shifts across timeframes, from 0.30 (all time) to 0.40 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FXL vs. NFTY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FXL	NFTY
Technology	89.9%	9.0%
Communication Services	5.2%	1.9%
Industrials	3.7%	8.5%
Consumer Cyclical	0.8%	16.6%
Financial Services	0.5%	20.9%
Basic Materials	-	13.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	8.1%
Energy	-	8.5%
Healthcare	-	9.9%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	3.7%

Return for Risk

FXL vs. NFTY — 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

NFTY

NFTY Risk / Return Rank: 4
NFTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
NFTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
NFTY Omega Ratio Rank: 4
NFTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
NFTY Martin Ratio Rank: 3

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. NFTY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) and First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF (NFTY). 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	NFTY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.23	-0.54	+1.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.71	-0.73	+2.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	0.92	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.26	-0.50	+2.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.72	-1.18	+7.91

FXL vs. NFTY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXL Sharpe Ratio is 1.23, which is higher than the NFTY Sharpe Ratio of -0.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXL and NFTY, 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. NFTY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXL drawdown since its inception was -61.41%, which is greater than NFTY's maximum drawdown of -47.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXL and NFTY.

Drawdown Indicators

	FXL	NFTY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.41%	-47.67%	-13.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.56%	-16.14%	+2.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.27%	-21.55%	-6.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.49%	-21.55%	-16.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.49%	-47.67%	+9.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.19%	-15.58%	+6.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.34%	-9.62%	-1.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.56%	6.73%	-2.17%

Volatility

FXL vs. NFTY - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) has a higher volatility of 9.85% compared to First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF (NFTY) at 3.74%. This indicates that FXL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NFTY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FXL	NFTY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.85%	3.74%	+6.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.56%	12.64%	+7.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.05%	14.74%	+10.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.66%	17.41%	+8.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.46%	20.65%	+4.81%

FXL vs. NFTY - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXL has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is lower than NFTY's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

FXL vs. NFTY - Dividend Comparison

FXL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while NFTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.92%.

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%
NFTY First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF	1.92%	1.24%	1.61%	0.13%	5.89%	1.53%	0.61%	0.97%	0.00%	4.10%	3.28%	4.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FXL and NFTY in my portfolio?

FXL and NFTY have a correlation of 0.31, 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 NFTY?

FXL has higher volatility (9.85%) compared to NFTY (3.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXL dropped -61.41% vs NFTY's -47.67%.

Which ETF is better, FXL or NFTY?

On 10-year performance, FXL leads with 19.83% vs 7.60% for NFTY. On fees, FXL is cheaper at 0.61% per year. On volatility, NFTY has been the lower-risk option at 3.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FXL or NFTY?

Over the 10-year period, FXL has performed better with a 19.83% return vs 7.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FXL or NFTY?

FXL is cheaper with a 0.61% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for NFTY.

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

NFTY has the higher dividend yield at 1.92%, compared with 0.00% for FXL.

What is the main difference between FXL and NFTY?

FXL is categorized as Technology Equities, while NFTY is India Equities. FXL tracks StrataQuant Technology Index, while NFTY tracks NIFTY 50 Equal Weight Index. Their fees differ too: 0.61% for FXL and 0.80% for NFTY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.23 vs -0.54), 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.