DRAM
Not rated
No published distribution safety rating is available.
ETF Comparison
DRAM vs FTXL: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?
A head-to-head comparison of Roundhill Memory ETF and First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Updated November 6, 2026
How these figures are calculated: methodology.
Best for
- DRAMInvestors who want targeted semiconductor exposure and accept its concentration.
- FTXLInvestors who want higher current income (0.08% while DRAM makes no distribution).
Price and total return
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Distribution Safety Score
An estimate of distribution reliability, not price or principal safety, a probability, or a guarantee. Score methodology.
FTXL
Caution
High confidence
Score snapshot as of . Method 1.11.
Side-by-side snapshot
| Metric |  DRAM |  FTXL |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Roundhill Memory ETF | First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF |
| Issuer | Roundhill Investments | First Trust |
| Last Close | $39.29 as of November 6, 2026 | $185.02 as of November 6, 2026 |
| Distribution rate | — | 0.08% |
| Trailing 12-month yield | — | 0.09% |
| Distribution Safety Score™ | — | 44 |
| Safety-Adjusted Yield | — | 0.04% |
| Expense ratio | 0.65% | 0.60% |
| AUM | $14.4B | $1.06B |
| Distribution frequency | None | Quarterly |
| Underlying index | — | — |
| Objective | Seeks capital appreciation by investing at least 80% of net assets in the equity securities of memory companies, or in swaps and forward contracts that provide equivalent exposure. | — |
| Asset class | Equity | Equity |
| Inception date | 04/02/2026 | 09/20/2016 |
| Beta | 4.1626 | 2.34 |
| Last dividend | — | $0.036 |
| Ex-dividend date | — | 06/25/2026 |
Total returns
100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year.
DRAM has lagged FTXL over the year to date, posting a 33.32% total return against 37.39%. FTXL has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 57.6% against 89.5% for DRAM. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
| Symbol | YTD cumulative | Since Apr 2026 | Volatility | Sharpe | Sortino | Max drawdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DRAM | 33.32% | 33.32% | 89.5% | 0.49 | 0.69 | -54.2% |
| FTXL | 37.39% | 16.18% | 57.6% | 0.37 | 0.49 | -40.1% |
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of November 5, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year. “Since Apr 2026” measures every fund from April 2, 2026 — the start of shared available history — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the shared window since Apr 2026. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the shared window since Apr 2026) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.
Not a distribution payer
DRAM (Roundhill Memory ETF) has no distribution rate on file and its distribution frequency is None. DRAM is not a payer. The blank yield is not a zero yield.
Visual comparison
Key metrics
Projected income on $10K
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Bottom lineChoose DRAM if you want targeted semiconductor exposure and accept its concentration. Choose FTXL if you want higher current income (0.08% while DRAM makes no distribution).
Income calculator
See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.
ETFs57
Total AUM$25.4B
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
Roundhill Investments is known for offering innovative, specialized ETFs that often feature weekly dividend distributions and exposure to trending themes and individual mega-cap stocks. Their lineup spans income-focused strategies, leveraged products, thematic investments in areas like cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence, and weekly-pay funds that appeal to investors seeking frequent distributions. The issuer has built a distinctive niche with products targeting both traditional income seekers and those interested in emerging sectors, offering a diverse range of tickers that go well beyond conventional dividend vehicles.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on DRAM.
ETFs329
Total AUM$290B
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
First Trust is known for offering a diverse lineup of actively and passively managed ETFs across multiple investment styles and asset classes. Their fund families span income-focused strategies including dividend and covered call approaches, as well as thematic, factor-based, alternatives, and sector-specific offerings that appeal to different investor objectives. The issuer provides breadth across allocation, bond, buffer, commodities, and municipal fund categories, making them a comprehensive provider serving various portfolio construction and income-generation needs.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on FTXL.
Quick verdict
DRAM (Roundhill Memory ETF) and FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) are both ETFs, but they take different approaches.
FTXL currently shows a 0.08% distribution yield. DRAM has not yet established a full distribution history, so a comparable yield figure is not available.
FTXL is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.60% compared to 0.65%.
DRAM is the larger fund by assets ($14.4B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.
Top-holdings overlap
Positions that appear in every fund's top 10. Issuers disclose only the largest weights, so this captures the overlap of the concentrated end of each book — not the full portfolios.
0 shared positions
DRAM 0.0% of its top-10 weight
FTXL 0.0% of its top-10 weight
No overlap among the top-10 disclosed holdings of DRAM, FTXL. These funds draw from largely different positions at the top of their books.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment at current distribution rates, DRAM has no reported distribution yield yet, so a cash estimate is not available, while FTXL would pay about $8.00 a year (about $2.00 per quarterly distribution).
DRAM yield—
FTXL yield0.08%
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, DRAM would cost approximately $650 in fees vs $600 for FTXL (simplified, not compounded). The $50.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
DRAM ER0.65%
FTXL ER0.60%
Strategy & risk
DRAM is an ETF built around a thematic strategy, while FTXL is an ETF built around technology exposure. Beta is 4.1626 for DRAM and 2.34 for FTXL, making FTXL the less sensitive to market moves of the two by this measure.
DRAM beta4.1626
FTXL beta2.34
Fund details
DRAM is managed by Roundhill Investments (launched 04/02/2026) with $14.4B in assets. FTXL is managed by First Trust (launched 09/20/2016) with $1.06B in assets.
DRAM AUM$14.4B
FTXL AUM$1.06B
Frequently asked questions
Which of DRAM or FTXL pays more dividend income?
FTXL currently reports a distribution yield, while DRAM has not yet established a full distribution history. A direct income comparison is not yet meaningful — check back once both funds have published several consecutive distributions.
What is the difference between DRAM and FTXL?
DRAM (Roundhill Memory ETF) is an ETF built around a thematic strategy, while FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) is an ETF built around technology exposure. They are issued by Roundhill Investments and First Trust respectively.
Can I hold both DRAM and FTXL?
Yes. Their disclosed top-10 holdings share no positions, so combining both spreads your money across different underlying names — see the holdings-overlap section above for the details. Overlap outside the disclosed top 10 can still exist.
Which has lower fees, DRAM or FTXL?
DRAM has an expense ratio of 0.65% while FTXL charges 0.60%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in DRAM vs FTXL generate?
At current distribution rates, DRAM does not pay distributions, so there is no cash income to estimate. $10,000 in FTXL would pay about $8.00 a year (about $2.00 per quarterly distribution).
Which has performed better historically, DRAM or FTXL?
DRAM has lagged FTXL over the year to date, posting a 33.32% total return against 37.39%. FTXL has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 57.6% against 89.5% for DRAM. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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DRAM vs FTXL — at a glance
Generated October 31, 2026.
Figures quoted in this analysis are from its generation date and may lag the live snapshot table above, which always shows the latest data.
Overview
DRAM and FTXL are both technology-focused equity ETFs, but they pursue different strategies within the semiconductor ecosystem. DRAM targets memory-chip manufacturers specifically using swap and forward-contract exposure, while FTXL tracks a broad Nasdaq semiconductor index. The funds differ substantially in size, volatility, and income approach.
How they differ
The biggest difference is focus: DRAM concentrates on memory companies only—a narrow slice of semiconductors—while FTXL holds a diversified basket of semiconductor companies across logic, foundry, equipment, and memory. DRAM's 4.1626 beta versus FTXL's 2.34 beta reflects this: the narrower memory play amplifies market moves. DRAM has a much larger asset base at $14.4B compared to FTXL's $1.06B, though both charge low expense ratios (0.65% and 0.60% respectively).
Who each is best for
- DRAM: Fits investors seeking concentrated exposure to memory-chip makers as an AI-era thematic bet, with high risk tolerance for sector-specific drawdowns and a focus on capital appreciation over income.
- FTXL: Designed for investors wanting broad semiconductor exposure across the value chain, a moderate risk appetite, and some quarterly income alongside growth potential.
Key risks to know
- Concentration and sector cyclicality: DRAM's focus on memory companies creates significant concentration risk. Memory chips are commodity-like, price-sensitive, and prone to supply-demand swings; a downturn in memory pricing or capacity cuts would hit the fund hard. FTXL's broader index exposure moderates this but still faces full semiconductor-cycle risk.
- Volatility and drawdown magnitude: DRAM's 4.1626 beta means it amplifies broad market moves by over four times; a 10% market decline would likely translate to a much sharper loss. FTXL's 2.34 beta, while still elevated, is less extreme.
- Derivative and swap risk: DRAM's use of swaps and forward contracts to replicate memory exposure introduces counterparty risk and tracking error. If the swap counterparty faces stress or market dislocation widens, the fund's returns may diverge from underlying memory stocks. Both are growth-oriented plays with minimal yield, so they suit investors prioritizing capital appreciation over current income.
AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.
Learn the method
The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.
These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.