ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
First Trust operates a broad multi-strategy ETF platform with 50 funds spanning allocation, income, alternatives, and thematic investing. The issuer focuses heavily on specialized income strategies, including dividend funds, covered call strategies (Buffer series), and sector-specific income plays, alongside factor-based and alternative investments. Notable tickers like FDN (tech), FAN (clean energy), and the Buffer series (BUFD, BUFQ, BUFR) reflect the issuer's emphasis on income generation and downside protection strategies across diverse market segments.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on FTXL.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
VanEck is known for offering specialized and thematic ETFs across diverse asset classes, including commodities, digital assets, and sector-specific investments. The firm's 22-fund lineup spans income-generating options, covered call strategies, and growth-focused equity funds, with popular tickers including GDX (gold miners), SMH (semiconductors), MOAT (competitive advantage stocks), and HODL (bitcoin). VanEck distinguishes itself through niche exposure areas such as digital assets, commodities, and thematic investing strategies, complemented by traditional bond and municipal bond offerings.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SMH.
Bottom lineFTXL and SMH are nearly interchangeable — both offer very similar technology exposure with very similar cost and risk. The clearest tie-breaker is cost: SMH is cheaper at 0.35% vs 0.60%.
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Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Total returns
FTXL has outpaced SMH over the trailing twelve months, posting a 145.37% total return against 103.94%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — SMH has compounded at 35.29% a year, ahead of FTXL at 29.41%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of July 23, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Sep 2016” measures every fund from September 21, 2016 — the youngest fund's first trading day — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. 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 trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.
Quick verdict
FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.
SMH offers the higher yield at 0.19% vs 0.06% for FTXL. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
SMH is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.35% compared to 0.60%.
SMH is the larger fund by assets ($67.4B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
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On a $10,000 investment, FTXL would generate roughly $0.50/month, while SMH would produce $1.58/month, at current distribution rates.
FTXL yield0.06%
SMH yield0.19%
Monthly diff on $10K$1.08
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, FTXL would cost approximately $600 in fees vs $350 for SMH (simplified, not compounded). The $250.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
FTXL ER0.60%
SMH ER0.35%
Strategy & risk
FTXL is an ETF, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index with a technology approach. Beta is 2.3 for FTXL and 1.98 for SMH, indicating SMH is less volatile relative to the market.
FTXL beta2.3
SMH beta1.98
Fund details
FTXL is managed by First Trust (launched 09/20/2016) with $2.20B in assets. SMH is managed by VanEck (launched 12/20/2011) with $67.4B in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
Is FTXL or SMH better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. SMH currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.
What is the difference between FTXL and SMH?
FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) is an ETF, while SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index with a technology approach. They are issued by First Trust and VanEck respectively.
Can I hold both FTXL and SMH?
Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.
Which has lower fees, FTXL or SMH?
FTXL has an expense ratio of 0.60% while SMH charges 0.35%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in FTXL vs SMH generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in FTXL would generate roughly $0.50 per month ($6.00 annually). The same in SMH would produce about $1.58 per month ($19.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, FTXL or SMH?
FTXL has outpaced SMH over the trailing twelve months, posting a 145.37% total return against 103.94%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — SMH has compounded at 35.29% a year, ahead of FTXL at 29.41%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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