VGT vs. FTXL

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) and FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index, while FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VGT returned 20.48%/yr vs 31.07%/yr for FTXL. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VGT charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXL.

Performance

VGT vs. FTXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) 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, VGT achieves a 22.48% return, which is significantly lower than FTXL's 88.68% return.

VGT

• 1D: -6.14%
• 1M: 5.22%
• YTD: 22.48%
• 6M: 20.33%
• 1Y: 49.26%
• 3Y*: 30.47%
• 5Y*: 20.48%
• 10Y*: 24.81%

FTXL

• 1D: -10.52%
• 1M: 4.61%
• YTD: 88.68%
• 6M: 86.19%
• 1Y: 181.61%
• 3Y*: 55.04%
• 5Y*: 31.07%
• 10Y*: —

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

VGT vs. FTXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	22.48%	21.77%	29.30%	52.66%	-29.70%	30.45%	46.04%	48.62%	2.46%	37.08%
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	88.68%	48.94%	7.59%	54.41%	-33.88%	36.04%	46.08%	61.77%	-14.47%	32.19%

Correlation

The correlation between VGT and FTXL is 0.76, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2016	0.82

The correlation between VGT and FTXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

VGT vs. FTXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VGT	FTXL
Technology	98.5%	99.5%
Communication Services	0.5%	-
Financial Services	0.5%	-
Industrials	0.4%	0.5%
Energy	0.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.1%	-
Basic Materials	0.0%	-
Healthcare	0.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

VGT vs. FTXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGT

VGT Risk / Return Rank: 63
VGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
VGT Omega Ratio Rank: 65
VGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VGT Martin Ratio Rank: 56

FTXL

FTXL Risk / Return Rank: 96
FTXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
FTXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
FTXL Omega Ratio Rank: 94
FTXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
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.

VGT vs. FTXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) 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.

	VGT	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.30	4.86	-2.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.84	4.58	-1.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.64	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	12.59	-9.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.59	46.02	-36.44
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VGT vs. FTXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGT Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is lower than the FTXL Sharpe Ratio of 4.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGT 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VGT	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.30	4.86	-2.56
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	0.86	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.01	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.88	-0.21

Drawdowns

VGT vs. FTXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGT drawdown since its inception was -54.63%, which is greater than FTXL's maximum drawdown of -43.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGT and FTXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGT	FTXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.63%	-43.87%	-10.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.40%	-14.51%	-1.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.23%	-41.57%	+14.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.07%	-43.87%	+8.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.07%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.34%	-12.53%	+4.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.95%	-10.56%	+2.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.15%	3.96%	+1.19%

Volatility

VGT vs. FTXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) is 9.29%, while First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) has a volatility of 18.23%. This indicates that VGT 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

	VGT	FTXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.29%	18.23%	-8.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.37%	31.28%	-13.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.51%	37.58%	-16.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.31%	36.33%	-11.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.68%	34.42%	-9.74%

VGT vs. FTXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGT has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than FTXL's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

VGT vs. FTXL - Dividend Comparison

VGT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.33%, more than FTXL's 0.14% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	0.14%	0.28%	0.54%	0.60%	0.89%	0.25%	0.48%	0.92%	0.71%	0.47%	0.12%	0.00%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	0.33%	0.40%	0.60%	0.65%	0.91%	0.64%	0.82%	1.11%	1.29%	0.99%	1.31%	1.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VGT and FTXL in my portfolio?

VGT and FTXL have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VGT or FTXL?

FTXL has higher volatility (18.23%) compared to VGT (9.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGT dropped -54.63% vs FTXL's -43.87%.

Which ETF is better, VGT or FTXL?

On 5-year performance, FTXL leads with 31.07% vs 20.48% for VGT. On fees, VGT is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VGT has been the lower-risk option at 9.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VGT or FTXL?

Over the 5-year period, FTXL has performed better with a 31.07% return vs 20.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VGT or FTXL?

VGT is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTXL.

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

VGT has the higher dividend yield at 0.33%, compared with 0.14% for FTXL.

What is the main difference between VGT and FTXL?

VGT is categorized as Technology Equities, while FTXL is Semiconductors. VGT tracks MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index, while FTXL tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VGT and 0.60% for FTXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.86 vs 2.30), 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.