ETF Comparison

FTXL vs SOXX: Same Industry, Two Semi Indexes

A head-to-head of First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor and iShares Semiconductor covering construction, fees, and overlap.

Data updated September 18, 2026

Best for

FTXLInvestors who want broad equity exposure.
SOXXInvestors who want broad equity exposure.

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Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Total returns

100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings.

FTXL has outpaced SOXX over the trailing twelve months, posting a 124.08% total return against 106.86%. The picture flips over 5 years, though — SOXX has compounded at 28.83% a year, ahead of FTXL at 28.22%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
Symbol	YTD	1Y	3Y	5Y	Since Sep 2016	Volatility	Sharpe	Sortino	Max drawdown
FTXL	74.56%	124.08%	51.71%	28.22%	28.74%	40.5%	0.92	1.31	-41.6%
SOXX	70.23%	106.86%	50.08%	28.83%	32.01%	39.6%	0.91	1.30	-41.4%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 18, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; windows of one year or longer are annualized. “Since Sep 2016” measures every fund from September 21, 2016 — 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 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.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
Metric	FTXL	SOXX
Full name	First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF	iShares Semiconductor ETF
Issuer	First Trust	iShares
Last Close	$237.33 as of September 18, 2026	$533.07 as of September 18, 2026
Distribution rate	0.06%	0.24%
Distribution Safety Score™	57	66
Safety-Adjusted Yield	0.03%	0.16%
Expense ratio	0.60%	0.33%
AUM	$1.18B	$42.3B
Distribution frequency	Quarterly	Quarterly
Underlying index	—	ICE Semiconductor Index
Objective	—	Tracks the ICE Semiconductor Index of US-listed semiconductor companies.
Asset class	Equity	Equity
Inception date	09/20/2016	07/10/2001
Beta	2.41	2.33
Last dividend	$0.036	$0.325 payable today
Ex-dividend date	06/25/2026	09/15/2026

Bottom lineFTXL and SOXX are both for investors who want broad equity exposure — so strategy isn't the deciding factor here. Cost is: SOXX charges 0.33% against 0.60% for FTXL, and between two funds this similar that gap comes straight out of your return every year you hold.

FTXL vs SOXX: two semiconductor indexes

Same industry, different construction. Compare holdings and cost, not a near-zero yield gap.

	FTXL	SOXX
Index		ICE Semiconductor Index
Expense ratio	0.60%	0.33%
Fund size	$1.18B	$42.3B

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First Trust

ETFs319

Total AUM$286B

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.

See all First Trust ETFs

iShares

ETFs466

Total AUM$4551B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

iShares is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for offering a broad, diversified lineup of exchange-traded funds across multiple asset classes and investment strategies. The company operates 215 funds spanning 15 distinct families, including popular offerings in dividend income, covered call strategies, bonds, equities, ESG-focused investments, and factor-based approaches, with widely-held tickers like AGG (bond), ACWI (global equity), and AOA (allocation). iShares is characterized by its comprehensive fund ecosystem that serves both core portfolio holdings and specialized investment strategies, making it a prominent player for investors seeking both traditional and alternative income-generating ETF solutions.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SOXX.

See all iShares ETFs

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Quick verdict

FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

SOXX offers the higher yield at 0.24% vs 0.06% for FTXL. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

SOXX is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.33% compared to 0.60%.

SOXX is the larger fund by assets ($42.3B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

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Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, FTXL would generate roughly $0.50/month, while SOXX would produce $2.00/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

FTXL yield0.06%

SOXX yield0.24%

Monthly diff on $10K$1.50

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, FTXL would cost approximately $600 in fees vs $330 for SOXX (simplified, not compounded). The $270.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

FTXL ER0.60%

SOXX ER0.33%

Strategy & risk

FTXL is an ETF built around technology exposure, while SOXX tracks ICE Semiconductor Index. Beta is 2.41 for FTXL and 2.33 for SOXX, making SOXX the less volatile of the two by this measure.

FTXL beta2.41

SOXX beta2.33

Fund details

FTXL is managed by First Trust (launched 09/20/2016) with $1.18B in assets. SOXX is managed by iShares (launched 07/10/2001) with $42.3B in assets.

FTXL AUM$1.18B

SOXX AUM$42.3B

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between FTXL and SOXX?

Both are semiconductor equity funds with different indexes. FTXL (First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF) is First Trust's Nasdaq semiconductor sleeve. SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) tracks ICE Semiconductor Index. Cost is 0.60% versus 0.33%; size is $1.18B versus $42.3B. Distributions are 0.06% and 0.24% as of September 2026. Compare holdings overlap, not a near-zero yield gap.

What is the current distribution rate for FTXL and SOXX?

FTXL currently distributes 0.06% and SOXX 0.24%, based on fund data updated September 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is FTXL or SOXX better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. SOXX 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.

Can I hold both FTXL and SOXX?

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.

Is FTXL or SOXX safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — SOXX scores 66, FTXL scores 57, so SOXX's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has lower fees, FTXL or SOXX?

FTXL has an expense ratio of 0.60% while SOXX charges 0.33%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in FTXL vs SOXX generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in FTXL would generate roughly $0.50 per month ($6.00 annually). The same in SOXX would produce about $2.00 per month ($24.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, FTXL or SOXX?

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FTXL vs SOXX — at a glance

Generated September 19, 2026.

Overview

FTXL and SOXX are both equity ETFs focused on semiconductor companies, but they differ in size, cost, and index methodology. SOXX tracks the ICE Semiconductor Index and is substantially larger with lower fees, while FTXL is a smaller, actively-managed or differently-constructed semiconductor fund with a higher expense ratio. Both carry significant leverage to semiconductor sector swings, reflected in betas near 2.3–2.4. SOXX is an index fund tracking the ICE Semiconductor Index of US-listed semiconductor companies, while FTXL's construction methodology is not specified as passive indexing. Both funds have similar beta profiles—2.41 for FTXL and 2.33 for SOXX—meaning they amplify broad market moves by roughly 2.3x, a reflection of semiconductor sector volatility.

Who each is best for

SOXX: Fits investors seeking low-cost, transparent exposure to a broad semiconductor index with 20+ years of track record; the cost advantage makes it a natural fit for long-term buy-and-hold allocators.

FTXL: Designed for investors who may prefer a smaller fund structure or believe FTXL's selection methodology offers value over straight indexing, though the cost premium requires that conviction.

Key risks to know

Sector concentration risk. Both funds are concentrated entirely in semiconductors, a single industry. A downturn in chip demand, geopolitical disruption to supply chains, or a shift in capital allocation away from semis will affect both funds similarly and severely.

High beta amplification. With betas of 2.41 (FTXL) and 2.33 (SOXX), these funds magnify downturns. A 20% drop in the broader market would historically translate to a 45%+ decline in either fund.

FTXL's higher cost drag. The 0.60% expense ratio versus 0.33% compounds over time. Over a 20-year horizon at equal returns, FTXL would trail SOXX by roughly 5.4% in cumulative performance due to fees alone.

Bottom line

SOXX's $42.3B asset base, 0.33% expense ratio, and transparent index methodology make it the lower-friction choice for semiconductor exposure. FTXL offers no compensating yield or risk profile to offset its 0.60% cost, which is the primary tradeoff between them. If you value cost efficiency and scale, SOXX stands out; if FTXL's construction appeals to you, verify the strategy justifies the fee premium. Past performance does not predict future results.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

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