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IYT vs. FTXR
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IYT vs. FTXR

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

IYT (iShares Transportation Average ETF) and FTXR (First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF) are both Industrials Equities funds - IYT tracks the Dow Jones Transportation Average Index while FTXR tracks the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Transportation Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IYT returned 7.51%/yr vs 8.30%/yr for FTXR. Their 0.77 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. IYT charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXR.

Performance

IYT vs. FTXR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Transportation Average ETF (IYT) and First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (FTXR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with IYT having a 14.55% return and FTXR slightly higher at 14.58%.

IYT

1D
0.01%
1M
-3.52%
6M
11.47%
YTD
14.55%
1Y
28.75%
3Y*
10.10%
5Y*
7.51%
10Y*
10.75%
ALL TIME*
9.92%

FTXR

1D
-0.49%
1M
-1.91%
6M
11.22%
YTD
14.58%
1Y
41.32%
3Y*
14.39%
5Y*
8.30%
10Y*
—
ALL TIME*
9.74%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

FTXR

First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF
$21.02M$11.11M$8.84M

IYT

iShares Transportation Average ETF
$61.92M$57.48M$60.22M

IYT vs. FTXR - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IYT
iShares Transportation Average ETF		14.55%11.48%4.10%24.62%-21.74%26.41%14.20%20.11%-12.87%18.89%
FTXR
First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF		14.58%14.70%17.09%20.93%-25.38%24.02%15.03%14.82%-15.27%15.82%

Correlation

The correlation between IYT and FTXR is 0.80, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.80

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.83

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.87

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2016

0.77

The correlation between IYT and FTXR shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (all time) to 0.87 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IYT vs. FTXR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IYT
FTXR

Industrials

84.9%
67.8%

Technology

15.1%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

31.7%

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

0.5%

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Industrials

IYT
84.9%
FTXR
67.8%

Technology

IYT
15.1%
FTXR

-

Basic Materials

IYT

-

FTXR

-

Communication Services

IYT

-

FTXR

-

Consumer Cyclical

IYT

-

FTXR
31.7%

Consumer Defensive

IYT

-

FTXR

-

Energy

IYT

-

FTXR
0.5%

Financial Services

IYT

-

FTXR

-

Healthcare

IYT

-

FTXR

-

Real Estate

IYT

-

FTXR

-

Utilities

IYT

-

FTXR

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Transportation Average ETF

First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF

Often compared with IYT:
IYT vs. XTNIYT vs. SPYIYT vs. XLIIYT vs. UNPIYT vs. QQQIYT vs. WBAIYT vs. FIDU
Often compared with FTXR:
FTXR vs. XTNFTXR vs. PCARFTXR vs. PAVEFTXR vs. QQQMFTXR vs. AIRRFTXR vs. ITBFTXR vs. VOO

Return for Risk

IYT vs. FTXR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
IYT
IYT Risk / Return Rank: 5757
Overall Rank
IYT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5454
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IYT Sortino Ratio Rank: 5454
Sortino Ratio Rank
IYT Omega Ratio Rank: 5252
Omega Ratio Rank
IYT Calmar Ratio Rank: 6262
Calmar Ratio Rank
IYT Martin Ratio Rank: 6262
Martin Ratio Rank
FTXR
FTXR Risk / Return Rank: 7676
Overall Rank
FTXR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7979
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FTXR Sortino Ratio Rank: 7979
Sortino Ratio Rank
FTXR Omega Ratio Rank: 7272
Omega Ratio Rank
FTXR Calmar Ratio Rank: 7676
Calmar Ratio Rank
FTXR Martin Ratio Rank: 7474
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

IYT vs. FTXR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Transportation Average ETF (IYT) and First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (FTXR). 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.

IYTFTXRDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.29
1.79

-0.50

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.89
2.55

-0.67

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.23

1.30

-0.07

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.17

2.66

-0.49

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.44

9.11

-1.67

IYT vs. FTXR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYT Sharpe Ratio is 1.29, which is comparable to the FTXR Sharpe Ratio of 1.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYT and FTXR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

IYT vs. FTXR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYT drawdown since its inception was -60.39%, which is greater than FTXR's maximum drawdown of -52.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYT and FTXR.

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Drawdown Indicators

IYTFTXRDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-60.39%

-52.06%

-8.33%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-12.09%

-14.49%

+2.40%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-26.35%

-29.71%

+3.36%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-29.15%

-33.96%

+4.81%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-41.28%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-5.69%

-3.12%

-2.57%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.26%

-10.90%

+1.64%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.53%

4.22%

-0.69%

Volatility

IYT vs. FTXR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Transportation Average ETF (IYT) is 4.43%, while First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF (FTXR) has a volatility of 4.77%. This indicates that IYT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTXR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IYTFTXRDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.43%

4.77%

-0.34%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

16.10%

16.91%

-0.81%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

20.29%

21.51%

-1.22%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

22.33%

23.93%

-1.60%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

23.11%

24.68%

-1.57%

IYT vs. FTXR - Expense Ratio Comparison

IYT has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is lower than FTXR's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

IYT vs. FTXR - Dividend Comparison

IYT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%, less than FTXR's 0.98% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FTXR
First Trust Nasdaq Transportation ETF		0.98%1.52%2.13%1.50%2.38%0.67%0.33%1.34%1.74%1.18%0.24%0.00%
IYT
iShares Transportation Average ETF		0.92%1.00%1.08%1.26%1.40%0.77%0.93%1.29%1.35%0.92%0.96%1.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

IYT and FTXR have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

FTXR has higher volatility (4.77%) compared to IYT (4.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYT dropped -60.39% vs FTXR's -52.06%.

On 5-year performance, FTXR leads with 8.30% vs 7.51% for IYT. On fees, IYT is cheaper at 0.42% per year. On volatility, IYT has been the lower-risk option at 4.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, FTXR has performed better with a 8.30% return vs 7.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IYT is cheaper with a 0.42% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTXR.

FTXR has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.92% for IYT.

IYT tracks Dow Jones Transportation Average Index, while FTXR tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Transportation Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for IYT and 0.60% for FTXR.

FTXR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 vs 1.29), 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.

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