FTXL vs IVV
First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, FTXL or IVV?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. FTXL led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 68.2%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | FTXL | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.2B | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.11% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 70 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +72.47%Best | +12.51% |
| 1Y Return | +124.27%Best | +17.57% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +50.87%Best | +21.27% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +27.94%Best | +12.95% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 31.2% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.9% | -33.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $34,279Best | $18,384 |
| Top 10 Weight | 68.2% | 37.9%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 20, 2016 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 21, 2016 to Sep 11, 2026 (10 years).
FTXL vs IVV growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 10 years both funds cover.
FTXL vs IVV Performance
First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year FTXL returned +124.27% while IVV returned +17.57%. Year to date, FTXL is up 72.47% versus a gain of 12.51% for IVV.
Over three years, FTXL compounded at +50.87% per year against +21.27% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +27.94% and +12.95% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, FTXL has the edge at +28.26% annualized vs +14.33%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTXL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 31.2% compared with 15.4% for IVV. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -43.9% for FTXL and -33.9% for IVV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTXL charges 0.60% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $3 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTXL currently yields 0.11% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
88.1% of FTXL's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 17.7% of IVV's money is in holdings FTXL also owns.
Most of FTXL is already inside IVV. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
19 positions in common, counted across the 34 positions we hold weights for in FTXL and 505 in IVV, against full books of 70 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 476 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for FTXL (81.7% of the fund), and 15 for FTXL that do not appear in IVV (11.8%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FTXL | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 6.94% | 7.98% | 1.04% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 12.95% | 1.51% | 11.44% |
| INTCIntel Corp. | 10.93% | 0.72% | 10.21% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 6.46% | 2.98% | 3.48% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc. | 6.55% | 1.18% | 5.37% |
| MRVLMarvell Technology Group Ltd | 7.22% | 0.28% | 6.94% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 6.67% | 0.25% | 6.42% |
| LRCXLam Research Corpcommon Stock | 3.59% | 0.58% | 3.01% |
| AMATApplied Materials, Inc. | 3.43% | 0.64% | 2.79% |
| TXNTexas Instruments, Inc | 3.43% | 0.38% | 3.05% |
88.1% of FTXL is already inside IVV.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FTXL or IVV?
FTXL has an expense ratio of 0.60% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTXL or IVV?
Over the past year FTXL returned +124.27% vs +17.57% for IVV, so FTXL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), FTXL annualized +28.26% vs +14.33% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTXL or IVV?
FTXL has been the more volatile fund at 31.2% annualized versus 15.4% for IVV. Worst drawdown: FTXL -43.9% vs IVV -33.9%.
Should I hold both FTXL and IVV?
FTXL and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between FTXL and IVV?
88.1% of FTXL's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 17.7% of IVV's is in holdings FTXL also owns. They hold 19 positions in common, counted across the 34 positions we hold weights for in FTXL and 505 in IVV.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTXL or IVV?
FTXL yields 0.11% while IVV yields 1.06%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than FTXL?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. FTXL led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 68.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.