FXL vs. XLK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FXL (First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund) and XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Technology Equities funds - FXL tracks the StrataQuant Technology Index while XLK tracks the S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FXL returned 21.15%/yr vs 25.84%/yr for XLK. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FXL charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLK.

Performance

FXL vs. XLK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). 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 XLK's 36.47% return. Over the past 10 years, FXL has underperformed XLK with an annualized return of 21.15%, while XLK has yielded a comparatively higher 25.84% 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%

XLK

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: 21.09%
• YTD: 36.47%
• 6M: 35.71%
• 1Y: 66.93%
• 3Y*: 33.90%
• 5Y*: 23.83%
• 10Y*: 25.84%

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

FXL vs. XLK - 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%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	36.47%	24.61%	21.63%	56.02%	-27.73%	34.74%	43.62%	49.86%	-1.68%	34.26%

Correlation

The correlation between FXL and XLK is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 2007	0.86

The correlation between FXL and XLK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

FXL vs. XLK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FXL	XLK
Technology	88.1%	99.7%
Communication Services	5.9%	-
Industrials	4.5%	0.1%
Consumer Cyclical	1.0%	-
Financial Services	0.6%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.2%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FXL vs. XLK — 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

XLK

XLK Risk / Return Rank: 83
XLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
XLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
XLK Omega Ratio Rank: 83
XLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
XLK Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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. XLK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). 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	XLK	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	3.24	-1.08
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.84	3.92	-1.08
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.52	-0.17
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.56	4.22	-0.66
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.95	14.16	-2.21
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. XLK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXL Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is lower than the XLK Sharpe Ratio of 3.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXL and XLK, 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	XLK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.16	3.24	-1.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.96	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	1.06	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.42	+0.14

Drawdowns

FXL vs. XLK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXL drawdown since its inception was -61.41%, smaller than the maximum XLK drawdown of -82.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXL and XLK.

Drawdown Indicators

	FXL	XLK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.41%	-82.05%	+20.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.56%	-15.92%	+2.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.27%	-25.66%	-2.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.49%	-33.56%	-4.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.49%	-33.56%	-4.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.88%	-1.00%	+0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.37%	-34.96%	+23.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.03%	4.74%	-0.71%

Volatility

FXL vs. XLK - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) has a higher volatility of 7.61% compared to State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) at 6.98%. This indicates that FXL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FXL	XLK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.61%	6.98%	+0.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.47%	16.68%	+0.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.42%	20.82%	+1.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.12%	24.90%	+0.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.28%	24.49%	+0.79%

FXL vs. XLK - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXL has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is higher than XLK's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

FXL vs. XLK - Dividend Comparison

FXL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XLK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.39%.

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%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.39%	0.54%	0.66%	0.76%	1.04%	0.65%	0.92%	1.16%	1.60%	1.37%	1.74%	1.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FXL and XLK in my portfolio?

FXL and XLK have a correlation of 0.87, 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 XLK?

FXL has higher volatility (7.61%) compared to XLK (6.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXL dropped -61.41% vs XLK's -82.05%.

Which ETF is better, FXL or XLK?

On 10-year performance, XLK leads with 25.84% vs 21.15% for FXL. On fees, XLK is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLK has been the lower-risk option at 6.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FXL or XLK?

Over the 10-year period, XLK has performed better with a 25.84% return vs 21.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FXL or XLK?

XLK is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.61% for FXL.

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

XLK has the higher dividend yield at 0.39%, compared with 0.00% for FXL.

What is the main difference between FXL and XLK?

FXL tracks StrataQuant Technology Index, while XLK tracks S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.61% for FXL and 0.08% for XLK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.24 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.