XLKI vs. FTXL

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

XLKI (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) and FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLKI is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by State Street, while FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. XLKI is actively managed, while FTXL is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XLKI charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXL.

Performance

XLKI vs. FTXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLKI) 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, XLKI achieves a 15.15% return, which is significantly lower than FTXL's 96.17% return.

XLKI

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 1.80%
• 6M: 13.70%
• YTD: 15.15%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FTXL

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: -5.90%
• 6M: 75.08%
• YTD: 96.17%
• 1Y: 156.03%
• 3Y*: 54.01%
• 5Y*: 31.55%
• 10Y*: —

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

XLKI vs. FTXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XLKI State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	15.15%	10.02%
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	96.17%	30.52%

Correlation

The correlation between XLKI and FTXL is 0.82, 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 Jul 30, 2025	0.82

XLKI vs. FTXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLKI	FTXL
Technology	99.0%	99.7%
Financial Services	98.0%	-
Communication Services	1.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	0.3%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XLKI vs. FTXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLKI

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

FTXL

FTXL Risk / Return Rank: 95
FTXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
FTXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
FTXL Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FTXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
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.

XLKI vs. FTXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	XLKI	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	3.63	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	3.59	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.49	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	8.44	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	31.32	—

Drawdowns

XLKI vs. FTXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLKI drawdown since its inception was -10.24%, smaller than the maximum FTXL drawdown of -43.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLKI and FTXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLKI	FTXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.24%	-43.87%	+33.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-18.56%	—
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	-2.95%	-14.46%	+11.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.89%	-10.53%	+8.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	4.99%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	XLKI	FTXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	22.30%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	37.15%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.09%	43.21%	-24.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.09%	37.61%	-18.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.09%	34.99%	-15.90%

XLKI vs. FTXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLKI has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than FTXL's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLKI vs. FTXL - Dividend Comparison

XLKI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 17.21%, more than FTXL's 0.10% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	0.10%	0.28%	0.54%	0.60%	0.89%	0.25%	0.48%	0.92%	0.71%	0.47%	0.12%
XLKI State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	17.21%	8.52%	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 XLKI and FTXL in my portfolio?

XLKI and FTXL have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, XLKI or FTXL?

On fees, XLKI is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLKI or FTXL?

XLKI is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTXL.

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

XLKI has the higher dividend yield at 17.21%, compared with 0.10% for FTXL.

What is the main difference between XLKI and FTXL?

XLKI is categorized as Technology Equities, while FTXL is Semiconductors. They also come from different issuers: State Street and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XLKI and 0.60% for FTXL.