LOUP vs. FTXL

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

LOUP (Innovator Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF) and FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LOUP is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Deepwater Frontier Tech Index, while FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, LOUP returned 13.62%/yr vs 34.54%/yr for FTXL. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. LOUP charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXL.

Performance

LOUP vs. FTXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF (LOUP) and First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LOUP achieves a 30.66% return, which is significantly lower than FTXL's 111.04% return.

LOUP

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: 20.92%
• YTD: 30.66%
• 6M: 29.25%
• 1Y: 81.09%
• 3Y*: 38.24%
• 5Y*: 13.62%
• 10Y*: —

FTXL

• 1D: 5.49%
• 1M: 26.62%
• YTD: 111.04%
• 6M: 112.63%
• 1Y: 228.34%
• 3Y*: 60.35%
• 5Y*: 34.54%
• 10Y*: —

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

LOUP vs. FTXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
LOUP Innovator Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF	30.66%	43.24%	21.80%	51.31%	-46.00%	7.54%	86.25%	31.76%	-19.72%
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	111.04%	48.94%	7.59%	54.41%	-33.88%	36.04%	46.08%	61.77%	-20.84%

Correlation

The correlation between LOUP and FTXL is 0.66, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 26, 2018	0.80

The correlation between LOUP and FTXL shifts across timeframes, from 0.66 (1 year) to 0.80 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

LOUP vs. FTXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LOUP	FTXL
Technology	51.0%	99.5%
Industrials	20.0%	0.5%
Communication Services	10.6%	-
Consumer Cyclical	5.5%	-
Financial Services	4.5%	-
Energy	2.9%	-
Utilities	2.8%	-
Healthcare	2.7%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

LOUP vs. FTXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

LOUP

LOUP Risk / Return Rank: 76
LOUP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
LOUP Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
LOUP Omega Ratio Rank: 72
LOUP Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
LOUP Martin Ratio Rank: 72

FTXL

FTXL Risk / Return Rank: 97
FTXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
FTXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
FTXL Omega Ratio Rank: 96
FTXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
FTXL Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

LOUP vs. FTXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF (LOUP) 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.

	LOUP	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.87	6.40	-3.54
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.39	5.79	-2.40
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.79	-0.35
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.02	16.08	-12.06
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.63	60.11	-46.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LOUP vs. FTXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LOUP Sharpe Ratio is 2.87, which is lower than the FTXL Sharpe Ratio of 6.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LOUP and FTXL, 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

	LOUP	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.87	6.40	-3.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	0.96	-0.54
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.93	-0.33

Drawdowns

LOUP vs. FTXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LOUP drawdown since its inception was -58.68%, which is greater than FTXL's maximum drawdown of -43.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LOUP and FTXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	LOUP	FTXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.68%	-43.87%	-14.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.00%	-14.51%	-6.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.23%	-41.57%	+6.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-55.63%	-43.87%	-11.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.05%	-10.56%	-9.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.19%	3.88%	+2.31%

Volatility

LOUP vs. FTXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF (LOUP) is 7.78%, while First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) has a volatility of 14.41%. This indicates that LOUP 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

	LOUP	FTXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.78%	14.41%	-6.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.85%	28.95%	-7.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.47%	35.91%	-7.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.38%	36.01%	-3.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.97%	34.25%	-2.28%

LOUP vs. FTXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

LOUP has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than FTXL's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

LOUP vs. FTXL - Dividend Comparison

LOUP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FTXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.13%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	0.13%	0.28%	0.54%	0.60%	0.89%	0.25%	0.48%	0.92%	0.71%	0.47%	0.12%
LOUP Innovator Deepwater Frontier Tech ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LOUP and FTXL in my portfolio?

LOUP and FTXL have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LOUP or FTXL?

FTXL has higher volatility (14.41%) compared to LOUP (7.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LOUP dropped -58.68% vs FTXL's -43.87%.

Which ETF is better, LOUP or FTXL?

On 5-year performance, FTXL leads with 34.54% vs 13.62% for LOUP. On fees, FTXL is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, LOUP has been the lower-risk option at 7.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LOUP or FTXL?

Over the 5-year period, FTXL has performed better with a 34.54% return vs 13.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LOUP or FTXL?

FTXL is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for LOUP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LOUP or FTXL?

FTXL has the higher dividend yield at 0.13%, compared with 0.00% for LOUP.

What is the main difference between LOUP and FTXL?

LOUP is categorized as Technology Equities, while FTXL is Semiconductors. LOUP tracks Deepwater Frontier Tech Index, while FTXL tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for LOUP and 0.60% for FTXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.40 vs 2.87), 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.