XLK vs. FTXL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) and FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLK is a Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index, while FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XLK returned 23.83%/yr vs 34.63%/yr for FTXL. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XLK charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXL.

Performance

XLK vs. FTXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) 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, XLK achieves a 36.47% return, which is significantly lower than FTXL's 115.70% return.

XLK

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: 21.09%
• YTD: 36.47%
• 6M: 35.71%
• 1Y: 66.93%
• 3Y*: 33.90%
• 5Y*: 23.83%
• 10Y*: 25.84%

FTXL

• 1D: 2.21%
• 1M: 30.59%
• YTD: 115.70%
• 6M: 113.17%
• 1Y: 225.15%
• 3Y*: 61.52%
• 5Y*: 34.63%
• 10Y*: —

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

XLK vs. FTXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	36.47%	24.61%	21.63%	56.02%	-27.73%	34.74%	43.62%	49.86%	-1.68%	34.26%
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	115.70%	48.94%	7.59%	54.41%	-33.88%	36.04%	46.08%	61.77%	-14.47%	32.19%

Correlation

The correlation between XLK and FTXL is 0.78, 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	0.78
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 XLK and FTXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

XLK vs. FTXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLK	FTXL
Technology	99.7%	99.5%
Energy	0.2%	-
Industrials	0.1%	0.5%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XLK vs. FTXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLK

XLK Risk / Return Rank: 83
XLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
XLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
XLK Omega Ratio Rank: 83
XLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
XLK Martin Ratio Rank: 73

FTXL

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

XLK vs. FTXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) 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.

	XLK	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.24	6.33	-3.09
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.92	5.74	-1.82
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.78	-0.26
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.22	15.62	-11.40
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.16	58.28	-44.12
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XLK vs. FTXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLK Sharpe Ratio is 3.24, which is lower than the FTXL Sharpe Ratio of 6.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLK 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

	XLK	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.24	6.33	-3.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96	0.97	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.06	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.94	-0.52

Drawdowns

XLK vs. FTXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLK drawdown since its inception was -82.05%, which is greater than FTXL's maximum drawdown of -43.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLK and FTXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLK	FTXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.05%	-43.87%	-38.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.92%	-14.51%	-1.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.66%	-41.57%	+15.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.56%	-43.87%	+10.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.56%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.00%	0.00%	-1.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-34.96%	-10.56%	-24.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.74%	3.88%	+0.86%

Volatility

XLK vs. FTXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) is 6.98%, while First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) has a volatility of 14.28%. This indicates that XLK 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

	XLK	FTXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.98%	14.28%	-7.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.68%	28.98%	-12.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.82%	35.94%	-15.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.90%	36.02%	-11.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.49%	34.25%	-9.76%

XLK vs. FTXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLK has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than FTXL's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLK vs. FTXL - Dividend Comparison

XLK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.39%, more than FTXL's 0.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.39%	0.54%	0.66%	0.76%	1.04%	0.65%	0.92%	1.16%	1.60%	1.37%	1.74%	1.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLK and FTXL in my portfolio?

XLK 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, XLK or FTXL?

FTXL has higher volatility (14.28%) compared to XLK (6.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLK dropped -82.05% vs FTXL's -43.87%.

Which ETF is better, XLK or FTXL?

On 5-year performance, FTXL leads with 34.63% vs 23.83% for XLK. On fees, XLK is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLK has been the lower-risk option at 6.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLK or FTXL?

Over the 5-year period, FTXL has performed better with a 34.63% return vs 23.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLK or FTXL?

XLK is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTXL.

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

XLK has the higher dividend yield at 0.39%, compared with 0.12% for FTXL.

What is the main difference between XLK and FTXL?

XLK is categorized as Technology Equities, while FTXL is Semiconductors. XLK tracks S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index, while FTXL tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLK and 0.60% for FTXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.33 vs 3.24), 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.