PSWD vs. FTXL

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Xtrackers Cybersecurity Select Equity ETF (PSWD) and First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL).

PSWD and FTXL are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. PSWD is a passively managed fund by Xtrackers that tracks the performance of the Solactive Cyber Security ESG Screened Index. It was launched on Jul 12, 2023. 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 PSWD 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

PSWD vs. FTXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Xtrackers Cybersecurity Select Equity ETF (PSWD) and First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

PSWD vs. FTXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
PSWD Xtrackers Cybersecurity Select Equity ETF	-9.13%	1.69%	9.46%	18.58%
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	13.86%	48.94%	7.59%	12.22%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSWD achieves a -9.13% return, which is significantly lower than FTXL's 13.86% return.

PSWD

• 1D: 2.92%
• 1M: -0.66%
• YTD: -9.13%
• 6M: -18.67%
• 1Y: -6.91%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FTXL

• 1D: 5.87%
• 1M: -5.49%
• YTD: 13.86%
• 6M: 31.99%
• 1Y: 95.80%
• 3Y*: 32.15%
• 5Y*: 17.68%
• 10Y*: —

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

PSWD vs. FTXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSWD has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than FTXL's 0.60% expense ratio.

FTXL

First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF

PSWD

Xtrackers Cybersecurity Select Equity ETF

Return for Risk

PSWD vs. FTXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSWD

PSWD Risk / Return Rank: 6
PSWD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
PSWD Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
PSWD Omega Ratio Rank: 7
PSWD Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
PSWD Martin Ratio Rank: 4

FTXL

FTXL Risk / Return Rank: 95
FTXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
FTXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
FTXL Omega Ratio Rank: 93
FTXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
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.

PSWD vs. FTXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers Cybersecurity Select Equity ETF (PSWD) 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.

	PSWD	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.27	2.30	-2.57
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.21	2.85	-3.06
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.97	1.41	-0.43
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.37	5.10	-5.47
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.93	19.84	-20.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSWD vs. FTXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSWD Sharpe Ratio is -0.27, which is lower than the FTXL Sharpe Ratio of 2.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSWD 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

	PSWD	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.27	2.30	-2.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.50	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.71	-0.40

Correlation

The correlation between PSWD and FTXL is 0.52, 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

PSWD vs. FTXL - Dividend Comparison

PSWD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.97%, more than FTXL's 0.24% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
PSWD Xtrackers Cybersecurity Select Equity ETF	0.97%	0.88%	1.49%	0.55%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	0.24%	0.28%	0.54%	0.60%	0.89%	0.25%	0.48%	0.92%	0.71%	0.47%	0.12%

Drawdowns

PSWD vs. FTXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSWD drawdown since its inception was -22.86%, smaller than the maximum FTXL drawdown of -43.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSWD and FTXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSWD	FTXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.86%	-43.87%	+21.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.86%	-18.57%	-4.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-43.87%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-20.21%	-9.49%	-10.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.20%	-10.72%	+4.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.04%	4.77%	+4.27%

Volatility

PSWD vs. FTXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Xtrackers Cybersecurity Select Equity ETF (PSWD) is 7.87%, while First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) has a volatility of 14.06%. This indicates that PSWD 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

	PSWD	FTXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.87%	14.06%	-6.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.26%	27.94%	-10.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.71%	41.85%	-16.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.59%	35.41%	-12.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.59%	33.98%	-11.39%