FXL vs. NXTG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FXL (First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund) and NXTG (First Trust IndXX NextG ETF) are both Technology Equities funds from First Trust - FXL tracks the StrataQuant Technology Index while NXTG tracks the Indxx 5G & NextG Thematic Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FXL returned 21.15%/yr vs 17.94%/yr for NXTG. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FXL charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for NXTG.

Performance

FXL vs. NXTG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) and First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FXL achieves a 31.98% return, which is significantly lower than NXTG's 54.54% return. Over the past 10 years, FXL has outperformed NXTG with an annualized return of 21.15%, while NXTG has yielded a comparatively lower 17.94% 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%

NXTG

• 1D: -0.82%
• 1M: 22.84%
• YTD: 54.54%
• 6M: 55.39%
• 1Y: 82.82%
• 3Y*: 35.56%
• 5Y*: 19.17%
• 10Y*: 17.94%

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

FXL vs. NXTG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
NXTG First Trust IndXX NextG ETF	54.54%	28.46%	12.85%	28.74%	-24.70%	21.81%	27.58%	29.58%	-17.25%	28.02%

Correlation

The correlation between FXL and NXTG is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 22, 2011	0.74

The correlation between FXL and NXTG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

FXL vs. NXTG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FXL	NXTG
Technology	88.1%	66.1%
Communication Services	5.9%	21.7%
Industrials	4.5%	4.3%
Consumer Cyclical	1.0%	0.4%
Financial Services	0.6%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	7.5%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FXL vs. NXTG — Risk / Return Rank

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

FXL

FXL Risk / Return Rank: 63
FXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
FXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
FXL Omega Ratio Rank: 57
FXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
FXL Martin Ratio Rank: 65

NXTG

NXTG Risk / Return Rank: 96
NXTG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
NXTG Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
NXTG Omega Ratio Rank: 96
NXTG Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
NXTG Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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. NXTG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) and First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG). 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.

	FXL	NXTG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	4.52	-2.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.84	5.69	-2.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.77	-0.42
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.56	8.10	-4.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.95	31.73	-19.78
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. NXTG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXL Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is lower than the NXTG Sharpe Ratio of 4.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXL and NXTG, 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

	FXL	NXTG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.16	4.52	-2.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	1.08	-0.54
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	0.95	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.69	-0.13

Drawdowns

FXL vs. NXTG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXL drawdown since its inception was -61.41%, which is greater than NXTG's maximum drawdown of -33.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXL and NXTG.

Drawdown Indicators

	FXL	NXTG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.41%	-33.61%	-27.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.56%	-10.28%	-3.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.27%	-17.75%	-10.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.49%	-33.61%	-4.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.49%	-33.61%	-4.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.88%	-0.82%	-0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.37%	-7.87%	-3.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.03%	2.62%	+1.41%

Volatility

FXL vs. NXTG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) is 7.61%, while First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) has a volatility of 8.27%. This indicates that FXL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NXTG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FXL	NXTG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.61%	8.27%	-0.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.47%	15.26%	+2.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.42%	18.44%	+3.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.12%	17.93%	+7.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.28%	18.88%	+6.40%

FXL vs. NXTG - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXL has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is lower than NXTG's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

FXL vs. NXTG - Dividend Comparison

FXL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while NXTG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.11%.

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%
NXTG First Trust IndXX NextG ETF	1.11%	1.56%	1.51%	2.15%	2.04%	1.97%	1.04%	0.77%	1.27%	1.65%	1.23%	1.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FXL and NXTG in my portfolio?

FXL and NXTG have a correlation of 0.82, 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 NXTG?

NXTG has higher volatility (8.27%) compared to FXL (7.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXL dropped -61.41% vs NXTG's -33.61%.

Which ETF is better, FXL or NXTG?

On 10-year performance, FXL leads with 21.15% vs 17.94% for NXTG. 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.

Which ETF has performed better, FXL or NXTG?

Over the 10-year period, FXL has performed better with a 21.15% return vs 17.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FXL or NXTG?

FXL is cheaper with a 0.61% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for NXTG.

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

NXTG has the higher dividend yield at 1.11%, compared with 0.00% for FXL.

What is the main difference between FXL and NXTG?

FXL tracks StrataQuant Technology Index, while NXTG tracks Indxx 5G & NextG Thematic Index. Their fees differ too: 0.61% for FXL and 0.70% for NXTG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NXTG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.52 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.