SPRX vs. FTXL

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

SPRX (Spear Alpha ETF) and FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPRX is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by Spear, while FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. SPRX is actively managed, while FTXL is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SPRX returned 29.23%/yr vs 42.82%/yr for FTXL. Their 0.76 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SPRX charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXL.

Performance

SPRX vs. FTXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Spear Alpha ETF (SPRX) 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, SPRX achieves a 10.60% return, which is significantly lower than FTXL's 67.20% return.

SPRX

• 1D: 1.12%
• 1M: -16.08%
• 6M: 5.15%
• YTD: 10.60%
• 1Y: 32.41%
• 3Y*: 29.23%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.44%

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
SPRX Spear Alpha ETF	$6.60M	$5.75M	$7.61M

SPRX vs. FTXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SPRX Spear Alpha ETF	10.60%	41.91%	20.58%	88.02%	-44.99%	9.15%
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	67.20%	48.94%	7.59%	54.41%	-33.88%	18.89%

Correlation

The correlation between SPRX and FTXL is 0.78, 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.	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 4, 2021	0.76

The correlation between SPRX and FTXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

SPRX vs. FTXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPRX	FTXL
Technology	88.5%	99.6%
Basic Materials	9.2%	-
Financial Services	6.5%	-
Industrials	5.0%	0.4%
Communication Services	3.9%	-
Healthcare	2.0%	-
Utilities	1.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

SPRX vs. FTXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPRX

SPRX Risk / Return Rank: 27
SPRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
SPRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
SPRX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
SPRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
SPRX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

SPRX vs. FTXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Spear Alpha ETF (SPRX) 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.

	SPRX	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.54	2.71	-2.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.05	2.95	-1.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.39	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.78	3.83	-3.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.74	16.62	-13.88

SPRX vs. FTXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPRX Sharpe Ratio is 0.54, which is lower than the FTXL Sharpe Ratio of 2.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPRX 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

SPRX vs. FTXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPRX drawdown since its inception was -51.21%, which is greater than FTXL's maximum drawdown of -43.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPRX and FTXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPRX	FTXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.21%	-43.87%	-7.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-35.87%	-32.64%	-3.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-42.12%	-41.57%	-0.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-51.21%	-43.87%	-7.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-27.55%	-27.09%	-0.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.53%	-10.61%	-6.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.18%	7.51%	+2.67%

Volatility

SPRX vs. FTXL - Volatility Comparison

Spear Alpha ETF (SPRX) has a higher volatility of 21.68% compared to First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) at 18.94%. This indicates that SPRX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPRX	FTXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	21.68%	18.94%	+2.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	43.65%	39.98%	+3.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	52.09%	46.28%	+5.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	43.22%	38.23%	+4.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	43.22%	35.28%	+7.94%

SPRX vs. FTXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPRX has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than FTXL's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPRX vs. FTXL - Dividend Comparison

SPRX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FTXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.11%.

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%
SPRX Spear Alpha ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.25%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPRX and FTXL in my portfolio?

SPRX and FTXL have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPRX or FTXL?

SPRX has higher volatility (21.68%) compared to FTXL (18.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPRX dropped -51.21% vs FTXL's -43.87%.

Which ETF is better, SPRX or FTXL?

On 3-year performance, FTXL leads with 42.82% vs 29.23% for SPRX. On fees, FTXL is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FTXL has been the lower-risk option at 18.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPRX or FTXL?

Over the 3-year period, FTXL has performed better with a 42.82% return vs 29.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPRX or FTXL?

FTXL is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for SPRX.

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

FTXL has the higher dividend yield at 0.11%, compared with 0.00% for SPRX.

What is the main difference between SPRX and FTXL?

SPRX is categorized as Technology Equities, while FTXL is Semiconductors. They also come from different issuers: Spear and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for SPRX and 0.60% for FTXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.71 vs 0.54), 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.