FXR vs. EXI

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

FXR (First Trust Industrials/Producer Durables AlphaDEX Fund) and EXI (iShares Global Industrials ETF) are both Industrials Equities funds - FXR tracks the StrataQuant Industrials Index while EXI tracks the S&P Global 1200 / Industrials -SEC. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FXR returned 12.93%/yr vs 12.27%/yr for EXI. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FXR charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for EXI.

Performance

FXR vs. EXI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Industrials/Producer Durables AlphaDEX Fund (FXR) and iShares Global Industrials ETF (EXI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with FXR having a 12.29% return and EXI slightly lower at 12.24%. Over the past 10 years, FXR has outperformed EXI with an annualized return of 12.93%, while EXI has yielded a comparatively lower 12.27% annualized return.

FXR

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: 0.60%
• 6M: 2.71%
• YTD: 12.29%
• 1Y: 18.49%
• 3Y*: 14.31%
• 5Y*: 9.91%
• 10Y*: 12.93%

EXI

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: -0.57%
• 6M: 5.39%
• YTD: 12.24%
• 1Y: 19.38%
• 3Y*: 18.69%
• 5Y*: 12.11%
• 10Y*: 12.27%

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

FXR vs. EXI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FXR First Trust Industrials/Producer Durables AlphaDEX Fund	12.29%	7.56%	16.19%	26.98%	-16.68%	25.07%	12.82%	33.42%	-15.12%	24.20%
EXI iShares Global Industrials ETF	12.24%	25.88%	12.47%	22.04%	-12.36%	17.37%	11.33%	27.13%	-14.41%	25.16%

Correlation

The correlation between FXR and EXI is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 10, 2007	0.83

The correlation between FXR and EXI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

FXR vs. EXI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FXR	EXI
Industrials	68.3%	94.4%
Technology	10.3%	4.0%
Consumer Cyclical	8.3%	0.2%
Basic Materials	7.6%	0.2%
Financial Services	3.4%	0.1%
Healthcare	0.7%	-
Utilities	0.7%	2.6%
Communication Services	-	1.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	0.1%
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

FXR vs. EXI — Risk / Return Rank

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

FXR

FXR Risk / Return Rank: 33
FXR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
FXR Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
FXR Omega Ratio Rank: 30
FXR Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
FXR Martin Ratio Rank: 35

EXI

EXI Risk / Return Rank: 40
EXI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
EXI Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
EXI Omega Ratio Rank: 38
EXI Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
EXI Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

FXR vs. EXI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Industrials/Producer Durables AlphaDEX Fund (FXR) and iShares Global Industrials ETF (EXI). 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.

	FXR	EXI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.95	1.15	-0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.51	1.72	-0.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.21	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.36	1.58	-0.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.20	6.16	-1.96

FXR vs. EXI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXR Sharpe Ratio is 0.95, which is comparable to the EXI Sharpe Ratio of 1.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXR and EXI, 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

FXR vs. EXI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXR drawdown since its inception was -63.81%, roughly equal to the maximum EXI drawdown of -62.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXR and EXI.

Drawdown Indicators

	FXR	EXI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.81%	-62.60%	-1.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.66%	-12.35%	-1.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.65%	-14.38%	-12.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.85%	-27.23%	+0.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.71%	-39.56%	-5.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.00%	-3.64%	+1.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.31%	-9.92%	-0.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.42%	3.16%	+1.26%

Volatility

FXR vs. EXI - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Industrials/Producer Durables AlphaDEX Fund (FXR) and iShares Global Industrials ETF (EXI) have volatilities of 4.92% and 5.05%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FXR	EXI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.92%	5.05%	-0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.04%	14.46%	+0.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.56%	16.93%	+2.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.69%	17.17%	+3.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.85%	18.33%	+3.52%

FXR vs. EXI - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXR has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than EXI's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

FXR vs. EXI - Dividend Comparison

FXR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.65%, less than EXI's 1.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EXI iShares Global Industrials ETF	1.08%	1.32%	1.47%	1.84%	1.63%	1.42%	1.26%	1.72%	2.21%	1.48%	1.75%	1.95%
FXR First Trust Industrials/Producer Durables AlphaDEX Fund	0.65%	0.71%	0.72%	0.77%	0.92%	0.52%	1.06%	0.74%	1.18%	0.55%	0.52%	0.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FXR and EXI in my portfolio?

FXR and EXI have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FXR or EXI?

EXI has higher volatility (5.05%) compared to FXR (4.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXR dropped -63.81% vs EXI's -62.60%.

Which ETF is better, FXR or EXI?

On 10-year performance, FXR leads with 12.93% vs 12.27% for EXI. On fees, EXI is cheaper at 0.43% per year. On volatility, FXR has been the lower-risk option at 4.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FXR or EXI?

Over the 10-year period, FXR has performed better with a 12.93% return vs 12.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FXR or EXI?

EXI is cheaper with a 0.43% expense ratio, compared with 0.64% for FXR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FXR or EXI?

EXI has the higher dividend yield at 1.08%, compared with 0.65% for FXR.

What is the main difference between FXR and EXI?

FXR tracks StrataQuant Industrials Index, while EXI tracks S&P Global 1200 / Industrials -SEC. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.64% for FXR and 0.43% for EXI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EXI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.15 vs 0.95), 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.