FXN vs. XLC

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FXN (First Trust Energy AlphaDEX Fund) and XLC (Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FXN is a Energy Equities fund tracking the StrataQuant Energy Index, while XLC is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P Communication Services Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FXN returned 17.15%/yr vs 8.88%/yr for XLC. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FXN charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for XLC.

Performance

FXN vs. XLC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Energy AlphaDEX Fund (FXN) and Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FXN achieves a 34.56% return, which is significantly higher than XLC's -3.22% return.

FXN

• 1D: 1.24%
• 1M: -1.25%
• YTD: 34.56%
• 6M: 33.04%
• 1Y: 54.28%
• 3Y*: 16.24%
• 5Y*: 17.15%
• 10Y*: 6.41%

XLC

• 1D: -1.76%
• 1M: -2.70%
• YTD: -3.22%
• 6M: -0.81%
• 1Y: 12.83%
• 3Y*: 22.94%
• 5Y*: 8.88%
• 10Y*: —

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

FXN vs. XLC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FXN First Trust Energy AlphaDEX Fund	34.56%	3.39%	0.27%	0.97%	46.92%	51.79%	-19.91%	-6.76%	-30.23%
XLC Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	-3.22%	23.08%	34.71%	52.82%	-37.63%	15.96%	26.90%	31.05%	-16.88%

Correlation

The correlation between FXN and XLC is -0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.08
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.15
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 2018	0.33

The correlation between FXN and XLC shifts across timeframes, from -0.08 (1 year) to 0.33 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FXN vs. XLC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FXN	XLC
Energy	95.4%	-
Technology	4.6%	4.7%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	95.1%
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FXN vs. XLC — Risk / Return Rank

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

FXN

FXN Risk / Return Rank: 69
FXN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
FXN Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
FXN Omega Ratio Rank: 59
FXN Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
FXN Martin Ratio Rank: 71

XLC

XLC Risk / Return Rank: 27
XLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
XLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
XLC Omega Ratio Rank: 25
XLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
XLC Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

FXN vs. XLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Energy AlphaDEX Fund (FXN) and Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC). 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.

	FXN	XLC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.32	0.98	+1.34
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.93	1.49	+1.44
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.17	+0.19
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.74	1.27	+3.47
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.46	4.30	+9.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FXN vs. XLC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXN Sharpe Ratio is 2.32, which is higher than the XLC Sharpe Ratio of 0.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXN and XLC, 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

	FXN	XLC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.32	0.98	+1.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.43	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.18	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.06	0.54	-0.48

Drawdowns

FXN vs. XLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXN drawdown since its inception was -87.39%, which is greater than XLC's maximum drawdown of -46.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXN and XLC.

Drawdown Indicators

	FXN	XLC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-87.39%	-46.65%	-40.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.82%	-10.57%	-1.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.69%	-17.97%	-13.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.69%	-46.65%	+14.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-80.63%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.75%	-5.12%	+0.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-38.00%	-10.60%	-27.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.16%	3.12%	+1.04%

Volatility

FXN vs. XLC - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Energy AlphaDEX Fund (FXN) has a higher volatility of 7.58% compared to Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC) at 3.49%. This indicates that FXN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FXN	XLC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.58%	3.49%	+4.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.08%	9.49%	+7.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.55%	13.20%	+10.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.92%	20.67%	+8.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.01%	22.20%	+12.81%

FXN vs. XLC - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXN has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than XLC's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

FXN vs. XLC - Dividend Comparison

FXN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.78%, more than XLC's 1.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FXN First Trust Energy AlphaDEX Fund	1.78%	2.53%	2.50%	3.09%	2.28%	0.87%	4.71%	1.47%	1.43%	1.17%	1.05%	2.36%
XLC Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	1.23%	1.13%	0.99%	0.82%	1.10%	0.74%	0.68%	0.82%	0.64%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FXN and XLC in my portfolio?

FXN and XLC have a correlation of -0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FXN or XLC?

FXN has higher volatility (7.58%) compared to XLC (3.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXN dropped -87.39% vs XLC's -46.65%.

Which ETF is better, FXN or XLC?

On 5-year performance, FXN leads with 17.15% vs 8.88% for XLC. On fees, XLC is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, XLC has been the lower-risk option at 3.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FXN or XLC?

Over the 5-year period, FXN has performed better with a 17.15% return vs 8.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FXN or XLC?

XLC is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.64% for FXN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FXN or XLC?

FXN has the higher dividend yield at 1.78%, compared with 1.23% for XLC.

What is the main difference between FXN and XLC?

FXN is categorized as Energy Equities, while XLC is Large Cap Growth Equities. FXN tracks StrataQuant Energy Index, while XLC tracks S&P Communication Services Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.64% for FXN and 0.13% for XLC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FXN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 0.98), 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.