IGV vs. FTXL

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ET (IGV) and First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL).

IGV and FTXL are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. IGV is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the S&P North American Technology-Software Index. It was launched on Jul 10, 2001. FTXL is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. It was launched on Sep 20, 2016. Both IGV and FTXL are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

IGV vs. FTXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ET (IGV) and First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

IGV vs. FTXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IGV iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ET	-24.52%	5.56%	23.41%	58.56%	-35.65%	12.30%	52.86%	34.33%	12.44%	42.16%
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	17.52%	48.94%	7.59%	54.41%	-33.88%	36.04%	46.08%	61.77%	-14.47%	32.19%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IGV achieves a -24.52% return, which is significantly lower than FTXL's 17.52% return.

IGV

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: -3.62%
• YTD: -24.52%
• 6M: -30.68%
• 1Y: -11.68%
• 3Y*: 9.39%
• 5Y*: 2.68%
• 10Y*: 14.78%

FTXL

• 1D: 3.21%
• 1M: -2.91%
• YTD: 17.52%
• 6M: 32.85%
• 1Y: 101.16%
• 3Y*: 33.55%
• 5Y*: 18.43%
• 10Y*: —

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

IGV vs. FTXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

IGV has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is lower than FTXL's 0.60% expense ratio.

FTXL

First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF

IGV

iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ET

Return for Risk

IGV vs. FTXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

IGV

IGV Risk / Return Rank: 6
IGV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
IGV Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
IGV Omega Ratio Rank: 5
IGV Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
IGV Martin Ratio Rank: 6

FTXL

FTXL Risk / Return Rank: 95
FTXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
FTXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
FTXL Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FTXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
FTXL Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

IGV vs. FTXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ET (IGV) and First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL). 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.

	IGV	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.41	2.43	-2.84
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.42	2.95	-3.37
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.95	1.42	-0.47
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.30	5.50	-5.80
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.76	21.31	-22.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IGV vs. FTXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IGV Sharpe Ratio is -0.41, which is lower than the FTXL Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IGV and FTXL, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IGV	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.41	2.43	-2.84
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10	0.52	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.72	-0.39

Correlation

The correlation between IGV and FTXL is 0.65, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

IGV vs. FTXL - Dividend Comparison

IGV has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FTXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IGV iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ET	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.01%	0.01%	0.00%	0.35%	0.02%	0.16%	0.09%	0.82%	0.22%
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	0.23%	0.28%	0.54%	0.60%	0.89%	0.25%	0.48%	0.92%	0.71%	0.47%	0.12%	0.00%

Drawdowns

IGV vs. FTXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IGV drawdown since its inception was -63.45%, which is greater than FTXL's maximum drawdown of -43.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGV and FTXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	IGV	FTXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.45%	-43.87%	-19.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-34.72%	-18.57%	-16.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.85%	-43.87%	-1.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.85%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-32.28%	-6.58%	-25.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.37%	-10.72%	-3.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.66%	4.79%	+8.87%

Volatility

IGV vs. FTXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ET (IGV) is 8.45%, while First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) has a volatility of 13.48%. This indicates that IGV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IGV	FTXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.45%	13.48%	-5.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.68%	28.09%	-8.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.42%	41.94%	-13.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.08%	35.39%	-8.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.88%	33.99%	-8.11%