FTXL ETF — First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF

First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL)

FTXL is an ETF. its distribution rate is 0.06%, its trailing-12-month yield is 0.10%, its expense ratio is 0.60%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 51/100 (Caution). Total return is 1147.6% over the past 10 years, 834.3 points ahead of SPY at 313.3%.

At the current 0.06% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $6 per year, or about $1.50 per quarter if the next payment matches the last regular one.

First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF is an equity fund that invests at least 90% of its assets in U.S. semiconductor companies selected from a liquidity-ranked index; it is structured as non-diversified. The fund carries a modest current distribution rate paid quarterly and charges an expense ratio of 0.60%. It appeals to investors seeking exposure to the semiconductor sector with a primary focus on price appreciation rather than income generation.

FTXL performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-09-18.

Total return is 1147.6% over the past 10 years, 834.3 points ahead of SPY at 313.3%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 116.0%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 32.6%.

FTXL key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

51 · Caution

Safety-Adjusted Yield

0.03%

Issuer

First Trust

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

09/20/2016

Expense ratio

0.60%

Distribution rate

0.06%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

0.10%

Last close

$237.33 (as of 2026-09-18)

NAV

$223.95

Premium / discount

5.97% premium

AUM

$1,183,002,808

Average volume

172600.0

Last dividend

$0.036

Last ex-dividend date

06/25/2026 (as of 2026-06-25)

Last payment date

06/30/2026 (as of 2026-06-30)

Beta

2.41

P/E ratio

35.1588

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (0.06%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (0.10%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: First Trust or company page; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

FTXL risks and drawbacks

FTXL's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are quarterly, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 32.6%.

Who may consider FTXL — and who may not

It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (FTXL pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

Compare FTXL

FTXL vs similar funds:

• FTXL vs SMH
• FTXL vs SOXX
• FTXL vs DRAM

Frequently asked questions

More securities from First Trust.