RCTR vs. FTXL

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

RCTR (First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF) and FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RCTR is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg Nuclear Power Index, while FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, RCTR returned 9.71% vs 127.03% for FTXL. Their 0.63 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. RCTR charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXL.

Performance

RCTR vs. FTXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF (RCTR) 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, RCTR achieves a 0.61% return, which is significantly lower than FTXL's 67.20% return.

RCTR

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: -2.79%
• 6M: -9.50%
• YTD: 0.61%
• 1Y: 9.71%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.30%

FTXL

• 1D: -0.59%
• 1M: -13.49%
• 6M: 42.44%
• YTD: 67.20%
• 1Y: 127.03%
• 3Y*: 42.82%
• 5Y*: 26.87%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 27.99%

*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	$143.42M	$100.61M	$86.48M
RCTR First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF	$83.08K	$122.59K	$254.75K

RCTR vs. FTXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
RCTR First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF	0.61%	6.65%
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	67.20%	29.50%

Correlation

The correlation between RCTR and FTXL is 0.63, 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.	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 31, 2025	0.63

The correlation between RCTR and FTXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RCTR vs. FTXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

RCTR

RCTR Risk / Return Rank: 18
RCTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
RCTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
RCTR Omega Ratio Rank: 17
RCTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
RCTR Martin Ratio Rank: 18

FTXL

FTXL Risk / Return Rank: 91
FTXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
FTXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
FTXL Omega Ratio Rank: 87
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.

RCTR vs. FTXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF (RCTR) 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.

	RCTR	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.30	2.71	-2.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.60	2.95	-2.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.39	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.42	3.83	-3.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.00	16.62	-15.62

RCTR vs. FTXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RCTR Sharpe Ratio is 0.30, which is lower than the FTXL Sharpe Ratio of 2.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RCTR 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

RCTR vs. FTXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RCTR drawdown since its inception was -18.98%, smaller than the maximum FTXL drawdown of -43.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RCTR and FTXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	RCTR	FTXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.98%	-43.87%	+24.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.98%	-32.64%	+13.66%
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	-16.26%	-27.09%	+10.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.09%	-10.61%	+4.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.86%	7.51%	+0.35%

Volatility

RCTR vs. FTXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF (RCTR) is 7.98%, while First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) has a volatility of 18.94%. This indicates that RCTR 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

	RCTR	FTXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.98%	18.94%	-10.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.49%	39.98%	-19.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.82%	46.28%	-19.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.82%	38.23%	-11.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.82%	35.28%	-8.46%

RCTR vs. FTXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

RCTR vs. FTXL - Dividend Comparison

RCTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.64%, 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%
RCTR First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF	0.64%	0.36%	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 RCTR and FTXL in my portfolio?

RCTR and FTXL have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RCTR or FTXL?

FTXL has higher volatility (18.94%) compared to RCTR (7.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RCTR dropped -18.98% vs FTXL's -43.87%.

Which ETF is better, RCTR or FTXL?

On 1-year performance, FTXL leads with 127.03% vs 9.71% for RCTR. On fees, FTXL is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, RCTR has been the lower-risk option at 7.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RCTR or FTXL?

Over the 1-year period, FTXL has performed better with a 127.03% return vs 9.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RCTR or FTXL?

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

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

RCTR has the higher dividend yield at 0.64%, compared with 0.11% for FTXL.

What is the main difference between RCTR and FTXL?

RCTR is categorized as Energy Equities, while FTXL is Semiconductors. RCTR tracks Bloomberg Nuclear Power Index, while FTXL tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for RCTR and 0.60% for FTXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.71 vs 0.29), 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.