SEMY vs. FTXL

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

SEMY (GraniteShares YieldBOOST Semiconductors ETF) and FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SEMY is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by GraniteShares, while FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. SEMY is actively managed, while FTXL is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SEMY charges 1.07%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXL.

Performance

SEMY vs. FTXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in GraniteShares YieldBOOST Semiconductors ETF (SEMY) 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, SEMY achieves a 41.34% return, which is significantly lower than FTXL's 129.34% return.

SEMY

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 4.39%
• YTD: 41.34%
• 6M: 40.17%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FTXL

• 1D: 2.71%
• 1M: 19.81%
• YTD: 129.34%
• 6M: 127.30%
• 1Y: 226.33%
• 3Y*: 64.47%
• 5Y*: 36.03%
• 10Y*: —

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

SEMY vs. FTXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SEMY GraniteShares YieldBOOST Semiconductors ETF	41.34%	-0.56%
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	129.34%	9.90%

Correlation

The correlation between SEMY and FTXL is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2025	0.83

Return for Risk

SEMY vs. FTXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEMY

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

FTXL

FTXL Risk / Return Rank: 97
FTXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
FTXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
FTXL Omega Ratio Rank: 95
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.

SEMY vs. FTXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GraniteShares YieldBOOST Semiconductors ETF (SEMY) 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.

	SEMY	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	5.69	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	5.06	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.71	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	15.70	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	54.75	—

Drawdowns

SEMY vs. FTXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEMY drawdown since its inception was -11.46%, smaller than the maximum FTXL drawdown of -43.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEMY and FTXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEMY	FTXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.46%	-43.87%	+32.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-14.51%	—
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	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.50%	-10.53%	+8.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	4.15%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SEMY	FTXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	20.69%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	33.51%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.92%	40.09%	-14.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.92%	36.93%	-11.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.92%	34.67%	-8.75%

SEMY vs. FTXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEMY has a 1.07% expense ratio, which is higher than FTXL's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEMY vs. FTXL - Dividend Comparison

SEMY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 91.14%, more than FTXL's 0.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	0.12%	0.28%	0.54%	0.60%	0.89%	0.25%	0.48%	0.92%	0.71%	0.47%	0.12%
SEMY GraniteShares YieldBOOST Semiconductors ETF	91.14%	17.55%	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 SEMY and FTXL in my portfolio?

SEMY and FTXL have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, SEMY 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, SEMY or FTXL?

FTXL is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 1.07% for SEMY.

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

SEMY has the higher dividend yield at 91.14%, compared with 0.12% for FTXL.

What is the main difference between SEMY and FTXL?

SEMY is categorized as Derivative Income, while FTXL is Semiconductors. They also come from different issuers: GraniteShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 1.07% for SEMY and 0.60% for FTXL.