FXZ vs. NFTY

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

FXZ (First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund) and NFTY (First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FXZ is a Materials fund tracking the StrataQuant Materials Index, while NFTY is a India Equities fund tracking the NIFTY 50 Equal Weight Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FXZ returned 9.89%/yr vs 7.23%/yr for NFTY. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FXZ charges 0.67%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for NFTY.

Performance

FXZ vs. NFTY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund (FXZ) 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, FXZ achieves a 17.63% return, which is significantly higher than NFTY's -8.35% return. Over the past 10 years, FXZ has outperformed NFTY with an annualized return of 9.89%, while NFTY has yielded a comparatively lower 7.23% annualized return.

FXZ

• 1D: -1.47%
• 1M: -9.56%
• 6M: 4.73%
• YTD: 17.63%
• 1Y: 30.61%
• 3Y*: 6.86%
• 5Y*: 8.41%
• 10Y*: 9.89%

NFTY

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: -1.78%
• 6M: -7.54%
• YTD: -8.35%
• 1Y: -9.06%
• 3Y*: 4.29%
• 5Y*: 5.57%
• 10Y*: 7.23%

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

FXZ vs. NFTY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FXZ First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund	17.63%	16.25%	-16.31%	16.27%	-0.92%	30.84%	22.52%	21.52%	-22.62%	23.72%
NFTY First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF	-8.35%	5.47%	5.18%	24.00%	-3.46%	26.83%	10.04%	0.58%	-1.51%	21.78%

Correlation

The correlation between FXZ and NFTY is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 28, 2012	0.30

FXZ vs. NFTY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FXZ	NFTY
Basic Materials	76.9%	13.1%
Industrials	15.4%	8.5%
Consumer Cyclical	5.1%	16.6%
Communication Services	-	1.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	8.1%
Energy	-	8.5%
Financial Services	-	20.9%
Healthcare	-	9.9%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	9.0%
Utilities	-	3.7%

Return for Risk

FXZ vs. NFTY — Risk / Return Rank

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

FXZ

FXZ Risk / Return Rank: 51
FXZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
FXZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
FXZ Omega Ratio Rank: 44
FXZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
FXZ Martin Ratio Rank: 57

NFTY

NFTY Risk / Return Rank: 4
NFTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
NFTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
NFTY Omega Ratio Rank: 4
NFTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
NFTY Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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.

FXZ vs. NFTY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund (FXZ) 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.

	FXZ	NFTY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.35	-0.62	+1.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.94	-0.85	+2.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	0.91	+0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.41	-0.56	+2.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.77	-1.34	+9.11

FXZ vs. NFTY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXZ Sharpe Ratio is 1.35, which is higher than the NFTY Sharpe Ratio of -0.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXZ 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

FXZ vs. NFTY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXZ drawdown since its inception was -65.46%, which is greater than NFTY's maximum drawdown of -47.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXZ and NFTY.

Drawdown Indicators

	FXZ	NFTY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.46%	-47.67%	-17.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.75%	-16.14%	+3.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.99%	-21.55%	-12.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.99%	-21.55%	-12.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.41%	-47.67%	-1.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.40%	-16.22%	+5.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.32%	-9.63%	-1.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.95%	6.82%	-2.87%

Volatility

FXZ vs. NFTY - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund (FXZ) has a higher volatility of 5.13% compared to First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF (NFTY) at 3.01%. This indicates that FXZ'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

	FXZ	NFTY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.13%	3.01%	+2.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.10%	12.58%	+4.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.78%	14.72%	+8.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.15%	17.40%	+6.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.90%	20.64%	+4.26%

FXZ vs. NFTY - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXZ has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is lower than NFTY's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

FXZ vs. NFTY - Dividend Comparison

FXZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.43%, less than NFTY's 1.93% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FXZ First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund	1.43%	1.74%	1.81%	1.97%	1.56%	1.11%	1.51%	1.58%	1.38%	1.01%	1.19%	1.26%
NFTY First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF	1.93%	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 FXZ and NFTY in my portfolio?

FXZ and NFTY have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FXZ or NFTY?

FXZ has higher volatility (5.13%) compared to NFTY (3.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXZ dropped -65.46% vs NFTY's -47.67%.

Which ETF is better, FXZ or NFTY?

On 10-year performance, FXZ leads with 9.89% vs 7.23% for NFTY. On fees, FXZ is cheaper at 0.67% per year. On volatility, NFTY has been the lower-risk option at 3.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FXZ or NFTY?

Over the 10-year period, FXZ has performed better with a 9.89% return vs 7.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FXZ or NFTY?

FXZ is cheaper with a 0.67% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for NFTY.

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

NFTY has the higher dividend yield at 1.93%, compared with 1.43% for FXZ.

What is the main difference between FXZ and NFTY?

FXZ is categorized as Materials, while NFTY is India Equities. FXZ tracks StrataQuant Materials Index, while NFTY tracks NIFTY 50 Equal Weight Index. Their fees differ too: 0.67% for FXZ and 0.80% for NFTY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FXZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.35 vs -0.62), 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.