XLSI vs. FTXL

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

XLSI (Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) and FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLSI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by State Street, while FTXL is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Semiconductor Index. XLSI is actively managed, while FTXL is passively managed. At a correlation of -0.22, they often move in opposite directions. XLSI charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXL.

Performance

XLSI vs. FTXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLSI) 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, XLSI achieves a 6.55% return, which is significantly lower than FTXL's 77.15% return.

XLSI

• 1D: 1.70%
• 1M: 0.48%
• 6M: 2.36%
• YTD: 6.55%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FTXL

• 1D: -4.77%
• 1M: -14.46%
• 6M: 56.21%
• YTD: 77.15%
• 1Y: 132.46%
• 3Y*: 46.59%
• 5Y*: 30.00%
• 10Y*: —

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

XLSI vs. FTXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XLSI Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	6.55%	-1.06%
FTXL First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	77.15%	30.52%

Correlation

The correlation between XLSI and FTXL is -0.22, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025	-0.22

XLSI vs. FTXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLSI	FTXL
Financial Services	98.9%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	0.3%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	99.7%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XLSI vs. FTXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLSI

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

FTXL

FTXL Risk / Return Rank: 92
FTXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
FTXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
FTXL Omega Ratio Rank: 87
FTXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
FTXL Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

XLSI vs. FTXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLSI) 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.

	XLSI	FTXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	3.03	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	3.17	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.43	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	5.86	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	23.95	—

Drawdowns

XLSI vs. FTXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLSI drawdown since its inception was -7.87%, smaller than the maximum FTXL drawdown of -43.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLSI and FTXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLSI	FTXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.87%	-43.87%	+36.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-22.76%	—
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	-2.04%	-22.76%	+20.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.24%	-10.55%	+7.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	5.55%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	XLSI	FTXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	20.87%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	37.93%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.21%	44.00%	-32.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.21%	37.77%	-26.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.21%	35.06%	-23.85%

XLSI vs. FTXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

XLSI vs. FTXL - Dividend Comparison

XLSI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.91%, more than FTXL's 0.11% yield.

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%
XLSI Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	11.91%	5.34%	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 XLSI and FTXL in my portfolio?

XLSI and FTXL have a correlation of -0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, XLSI or FTXL?

On fees, XLSI 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, XLSI or FTXL?

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

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

XLSI has the higher dividend yield at 11.91%, compared with 0.11% for FTXL.

What is the main difference between XLSI and FTXL?

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