MOTO vs. FTXL

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

MOTO (SmartETFs Smart Transportation & Technology ETF) and FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MOTO is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by Guinness Atkinson, while FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. MOTO is actively managed, while FTXL is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, MOTO returned 7.58%/yr vs 26.40%/yr for FTXL. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. MOTO charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXL.

Performance

MOTO vs. FTXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SmartETFs Smart Transportation & Technology ETF (MOTO) 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, MOTO achieves a 17.24% return, which is significantly lower than FTXL's 68.79% return.

MOTO

• 1D: 1.41%
• 1M: -0.75%
• 6M: 9.06%
• YTD: 17.24%
• 1Y: 34.06%
• 3Y*: 14.56%
• 5Y*: 7.58%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.32%

FTXL

• 1D: 0.95%
• 1M: -12.68%
• 6M: 40.05%
• YTD: 68.79%
• 1Y: 129.18%
• 3Y*: 45.38%
• 5Y*: 26.40%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 28.08%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	$142.99M	$99.08M	$87.36M
MOTO SmartETFs Smart Transportation & Technology ETF	$14.22K	$15.41K	$15.45K

MOTO vs. FTXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
MOTO SmartETFs Smart Transportation & Technology ETF	17.24%	27.38%	2.01%	27.10%	-27.20%	17.22%	59.13%	5.00%
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	68.79%	48.94%	7.59%	54.41%	-33.88%	36.04%	46.08%	6.11%

Correlation

The correlation between MOTO and FTXL is 0.88, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 15, 2019	0.84

The correlation between MOTO and FTXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

MOTO vs. FTXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MOTO	FTXL
Technology	43.0%	99.6%
Consumer Cyclical	23.7%	-
Industrials	15.3%	0.4%
Communication Services	4.4%	-
Basic Materials	3.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.3%	-
Financial Services	1.0%	-
Utilities	0.7%	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

MOTO vs. FTXL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

MOTO

MOTO Risk / Return Rank: 54
MOTO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
MOTO Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
MOTO Omega Ratio Rank: 53
MOTO Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
MOTO Martin Ratio Rank: 52

FTXL

FTXL Risk / Return Rank: 91
FTXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
FTXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
FTXL Omega Ratio Rank: 88
FTXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
FTXL Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

MOTO vs. FTXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SmartETFs Smart Transportation & Technology ETF (MOTO) 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.

	MOTO	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.40	2.82	-1.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.93	3.02	-1.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.40	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.13	3.98	-1.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.46	16.86	-10.41

MOTO vs. FTXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MOTO Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is lower than the FTXL Sharpe Ratio of 2.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MOTO 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.

Drawdowns

MOTO vs. FTXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MOTO drawdown since its inception was -38.24%, smaller than the maximum FTXL drawdown of -43.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MOTO and FTXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	MOTO	FTXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.24%	-43.87%	+5.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.07%	-32.64%	+16.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.43%	-41.57%	+15.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.34%	-43.87%	+6.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.85%	-26.40%	+15.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.94%	-10.61%	+0.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.29%	7.69%	-2.40%

Volatility

MOTO vs. FTXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SmartETFs Smart Transportation & Technology ETF (MOTO) is 8.50%, while First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) has a volatility of 18.15%. This indicates that MOTO 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

	MOTO	FTXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.50%	18.15%	-9.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.79%	39.70%	-18.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.52%	46.19%	-21.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.25%	38.25%	-14.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.51%	35.28%	-8.77%

MOTO vs. FTXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

MOTO has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than FTXL's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

MOTO vs. FTXL - Dividend Comparison

MOTO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%, more than FTXL's 0.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	0.11%	0.28%	0.54%	0.60%	0.89%	0.25%	0.48%	0.92%	0.71%	0.47%	0.12%
MOTO SmartETFs Smart Transportation & Technology ETF	0.90%	1.06%	1.07%	2.73%	2.33%	0.55%	2.71%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MOTO and FTXL in my portfolio?

MOTO and FTXL have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MOTO or FTXL?

FTXL has higher volatility (18.15%) compared to MOTO (8.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MOTO dropped -38.24% vs FTXL's -43.87%.

Which ETF is better, MOTO or FTXL?

On 5-year performance, FTXL leads with 26.40% vs 7.58% for MOTO. On fees, FTXL is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, MOTO has been the lower-risk option at 8.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MOTO or FTXL?

Over the 5-year period, FTXL has performed better with a 26.40% return vs 7.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MOTO or FTXL?

FTXL is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for MOTO.

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

MOTO has the higher dividend yield at 0.90%, compared with 0.11% for FTXL.

What is the main difference between MOTO and FTXL?

MOTO is categorized as Technology Equities, while FTXL is Semiconductors. They also come from different issuers: Guinness Atkinson and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for MOTO and 0.60% for FTXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.82 vs 1.40), 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.