XITK vs. FTLS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XITK (SPDR FactSet Innovative Technology ETF) and FTLS (First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XITK is a Technology Equities fund tracking the FactSet Innovative Technology Index, while FTLS is a Long-Short fund actively managed by First Trust. XITK is passively managed, while FTLS is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, XITK returned 14.35%/yr vs 9.83%/yr for FTLS. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XITK charges 0.45%/yr vs 1.60%/yr for FTLS.

Performance

XITK vs. FTLS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR FactSet Innovative Technology ETF (XITK) and First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XITK achieves a 13.97% return, which is significantly higher than FTLS's 5.34% return. Over the past 10 years, XITK has outperformed FTLS with an annualized return of 14.35%, while FTLS has yielded a comparatively lower 9.83% annualized return.

XITK

• 1D: -3.51%
• 1M: 12.45%
• YTD: 13.97%
• 6M: 14.17%
• 1Y: 11.38%
• 3Y*: 17.58%
• 5Y*: -0.31%
• 10Y*: 14.35%

FTLS

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 2.01%
• YTD: 5.34%
• 6M: 5.22%
• 1Y: 14.27%
• 3Y*: 14.31%
• 5Y*: 10.27%
• 10Y*: 9.83%

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

XITK vs. FTLS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XITK SPDR FactSet Innovative Technology ETF	13.97%	2.53%	19.12%	45.87%	-47.45%	-11.24%	90.22%	36.98%	7.60%	36.01%
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF	5.34%	9.09%	18.80%	16.94%	-5.56%	19.65%	2.56%	16.16%	-4.81%	14.41%

Correlation

The correlation between XITK and FTLS is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 15, 2016	0.59

The correlation between XITK and FTLS shifts across timeframes, from 0.46 (1 year) to 0.60 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XITK vs. FTLS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XITK	FTLS
Technology	83.4%	26.9%
Communication Services	8.6%	6.1%
Consumer Cyclical	2.2%	9.5%
Industrials	2.0%	7.6%
Financial Services	1.7%	19.9%
Healthcare	1.6%	8.4%
Real Estate	0.5%	1.9%
Basic Materials	-	5.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	6.5%
Energy	-	7.3%
Utilities	-	0.9%

Return for Risk

XITK vs. FTLS — Risk / Return Rank

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

XITK

XITK Risk / Return Rank: 15
XITK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
XITK Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
XITK Omega Ratio Rank: 15
XITK Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
XITK Martin Ratio Rank: 13

FTLS

FTLS Risk / Return Rank: 58
FTLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
FTLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
FTLS Omega Ratio Rank: 50
FTLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
FTLS Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

XITK vs. FTLS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR FactSet Innovative Technology ETF (XITK) and First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS). 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.

	XITK	FTLS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.43	1.75	-1.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.78	2.56	-1.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.32	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.41	3.79	-3.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.95	11.78	-10.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XITK vs. FTLS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XITK Sharpe Ratio is 0.43, which is lower than the FTLS Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XITK and FTLS, 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

	XITK	FTLS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43	1.75	-1.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.01	0.98	-0.99
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.87	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.81	-0.30

Drawdowns

XITK vs. FTLS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XITK drawdown since its inception was -65.56%, which is greater than FTLS's maximum drawdown of -20.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XITK and FTLS.

Drawdown Indicators

	XITK	FTLS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.56%	-20.54%	-45.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.03%	-3.79%	-24.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.18%	-11.69%	-16.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-61.53%	-11.69%	-49.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-65.56%	-20.54%	-45.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.29%	-0.03%	-22.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.08%	-2.69%	-19.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.96%	1.21%	+10.75%

Volatility

XITK vs. FTLS - Volatility Comparison

SPDR FactSet Innovative Technology ETF (XITK) has a higher volatility of 8.59% compared to First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (FTLS) at 1.81%. This indicates that XITK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTLS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XITK	FTLS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.59%	1.81%	+6.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.87%	5.65%	+16.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.50%	8.18%	+18.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.63%	10.55%	+22.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.57%	11.30%	+18.27%

XITK vs. FTLS - Expense Ratio Comparison

XITK has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than FTLS's 1.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

XITK vs. FTLS - Dividend Comparison

XITK has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FTLS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTLS First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF	0.90%	1.07%	1.50%	1.49%	0.81%	0.01%	0.44%	0.83%	0.87%	0.43%	1.04%	0.49%
XITK SPDR FactSet Innovative Technology ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.08%	0.11%	0.00%	0.06%	0.14%	1.50%	1.74%	1.88%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XITK and FTLS in my portfolio?

XITK and FTLS have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XITK or FTLS?

XITK has higher volatility (8.59%) compared to FTLS (1.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XITK dropped -65.56% vs FTLS's -20.54%.

Which ETF is better, XITK or FTLS?

On 10-year performance, XITK leads with 14.35% vs 9.83% for FTLS. On fees, XITK is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, FTLS has been the lower-risk option at 1.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XITK or FTLS?

Over the 10-year period, XITK has performed better with a 14.35% return vs 9.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XITK or FTLS?

XITK is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 1.60% for FTLS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XITK or FTLS?

FTLS has the higher dividend yield at 0.90%, compared with 0.00% for XITK.

What is the main difference between XITK and FTLS?

XITK is categorized as Technology Equities, while FTLS is Long-Short. They also come from different issuers: State Street and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for XITK and 1.60% for FTLS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTLS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs 0.43), 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.