MOON vs. FTXL

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

MOON (Direxion Moonshot Innovators ETF) and FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MOON is a Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P Kensho Moonshots Index, while FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MOON charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXL.

Performance

MOON vs. FTXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Moonshot Innovators ETF (MOON) and First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

MOON

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FTXL

• 1D: -4.90%
• 1M: -10.51%
• 6M: 67.03%
• YTD: 86.56%
• 1Y: 143.49%
• 3Y*: 50.43%
• 5Y*: 30.21%
• 10Y*: —

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

MOON vs. FTXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
MOON Direxion Moonshot Innovators ETF	0.00%	0.00%	-8.56%	9.85%	-61.07%	-13.78%	26.82%
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	86.56%	48.94%	7.59%	54.41%	-33.88%	36.04%	10.66%

Correlation

The correlation between MOON and FTXL is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2020	0.46

The correlation between MOON and FTXL shifts across timeframes, from 0.24 (3 years) to 0.46 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

MOON vs. FTXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MOON	FTXL
Technology	42.4%	99.7%
Healthcare	23.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	11.9%	-
Communication Services	9.3%	-
Industrials	7.5%	0.3%
Financial Services	4.2%	-
Basic Materials	1.2%	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

MOON vs. FTXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

MOON

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

FTXL

FTXL Risk / Return Rank: 94
FTXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
FTXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
FTXL Omega Ratio Rank: 90
FTXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
FTXL Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

MOON vs. FTXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Moonshot Innovators ETF (MOON) 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.

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.

	MOON	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	3.32	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	3.38	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.46	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	7.74	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	28.09	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	MOON	FTXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	—	-43.87%	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-18.65%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-41.57%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-43.87%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	—	-18.65%	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	—	-10.54%	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	5.13%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	MOON	FTXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	22.60%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	37.47%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	43.61%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	37.69%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	35.02%	—

MOON vs. FTXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

MOON has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than FTXL's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

MOON vs. FTXL - Dividend Comparison

MOON has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FTXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.10%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	0.10%	0.28%	0.54%	0.60%	0.89%	0.25%	0.48%	0.92%	0.71%	0.47%	0.12%
MOON Direxion Moonshot Innovators ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.62%	1.41%	0.00%	1.64%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MOON and FTXL in my portfolio?

MOON and FTXL have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, MOON or FTXL?

On fees, FTXL is cheaper at 0.60% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, MOON or FTXL?

FTXL is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for MOON.

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

FTXL has the higher dividend yield at 0.10%, compared with 0.00% for MOON.

What is the main difference between MOON and FTXL?

MOON is categorized as Technology Equities, while FTXL is Semiconductors. MOON tracks S&P Kensho Moonshots Index, while FTXL tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for MOON and 0.60% for FTXL.