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 4, 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

FTXL has outpaced SOXX over the trailing twelve months, posting a 135.21% total return against 116.11%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — SOXX has compounded at 31.74% a year, ahead of FTXL at 28.34%. 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	10Y	Since Sep 2016	Volatility	Sharpe	Sortino	Max drawdown
FTXL	67.59%	135.21%	47.11%	27.44%	28.34%	28.34%	40.2%	0.85	1.21	-41.6%
SOXX	65.90%	116.11%	45.98%	28.06%	31.74%	31.81%	39.4%	0.85	1.20	-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 4, 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 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.

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	$227.85 as of September 4, 2026	$519.86 as of September 4, 2026
Distribution rate	0.06%	0.22%
Distribution Safety Score™	57	80
Safety-Adjusted Yield	0.03%	0.18%
Expense ratio	0.60%	0.33%
AUM	$1.19B	$40.8B
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	$0.283
Ex-dividend date	06/25/2026	06/15/2026

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	$1.19B	$40.8B

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See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.

First Trust

ETFs312

Total AUM$285B

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.

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iShares

ETFs466

Total AUM$4668B

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 0.22% 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 ($40.8B), 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 $1.83/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

FTXL yield0.06%

SOXX yield0.22%

Monthly diff on $10K$1.33

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 $1.19B in assets. SOXX is managed by iShares (launched 07/10/2001) with $40.8B in assets.

FTXL AUM$1.19B

SOXX AUM$40.8B

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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 $1.19B versus $40.8B. Distributions are 0.06% and 0.22% 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 0.22%, 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 80, 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 $1.83 per month ($22.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, FTXL or SOXX?

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FTXL vs SOXX — at a glance

Generated September 5, 2026.

Overview

FTXL and SOXX are both equity ETFs focused on US semiconductor companies, but they differ in index construction and scale. SOXX tracks the ICE Semiconductor Index and holds $40.8B in assets, while FTXL uses the Nasdaq Semiconductor Index with $1.19B under management.

How they differ

SOXX uses a passive index approach tracking the ICE Semiconductor Index, while FTXL tracks the Nasdaq Semiconductor Index—a difference in index methodology and constituent selection that may affect overlapping holdings. SOXX's 0.33% expense ratio is 0.33% versus FTXL's 0.60%, a meaningful gap favoring the larger, passive fund. Both offer minimal yield (0.22% and 0.06% respectively), and both carry similar market sensitivity with betas near 2.3, meaning they amplify broad market moves by roughly 2.3x. SOXX dwarfs FTXL in scale at $40.8B versus $1.19B, which typically translates to tighter spreads and lower trading friction for SOXX.

Who each is best for

FTXL: Fits investors seeking exposure to a specialized Nasdaq-defined semiconductor universe with a willingness to accept higher fees for any active management philosophy the fund employs, though that added cost is not offset by a higher yield.

SOXX: Fits investors who prioritize cost efficiency and broad semiconductor exposure through a long-standing index approach, with $40.8B in AUM providing deep liquidity and institutional acceptance.

Key risks to know

Concentration risk in cyclical hardware: Both ETFs are heavily exposed to semiconductor companies—a sector sensitive to technology spending cycles, supply-chain disruptions, and geopolitical trade restrictions. A sharp decline in chip demand or extended fab overcapacity could hit both funds hard.

High beta amplification: With betas of 2.41 and 2.33, both ETFs will swing roughly 2.3 times as hard as the S&P 500. In a significant market correction, losses compound faster than broad equity holdings.

Index methodology divergence: FTXL and SOXX track different indexes (Nasdaq Semiconductor versus ICE Semiconductor), which means their holdings overlap but don't match exactly. During periods when small-cap or large-cap semis outperform, or when certain subsectors like memory chips diverge from the broader group, performance can diverge.

FTXL's smaller asset base: With $1.19B, FTXL has less liquidity and a wider bid-ask spread than SOXX, increasing trading costs for larger positions.

Bottom line

If you prioritize low costs and maximum liquidity, SOXX's 0.33% expense ratio and $40.8B in AUM give it a structural advantage. If you believe the Nasdaq Semiconductor Index construction offers better selection and are willing to pay 0.60% for it, FTXL's smaller size could appeal to specialized allocators. Both carry semiconductor-sector cyclicality and high beta risk—neither is a substitute for broader diversification. 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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