What is the main difference in expense ratios between FTXL and SOXX?

FTXL has an expense ratio of 0.60%, whereas SOXX has a lower expense ratio of 0.33%. This represents a difference of 0.27 percentage points. Over time, higher fees can reduce net returns because they are deducted from the fund's assets. Investors often compare these costs to understand how much of their investment growth might be absorbed by annual management fees. Lower expenses do not guarantee better performance, but they can provide a slight advantage in net outcomes over long periods, assuming similar returns.

How do the operational histories of FTXL and SOXX compare?

FTXL was launched on September 20, 2016, providing an established trading history of several years. In contrast, SOXX has a longer operational history, having launched on July 10, 2001. A longer track record can offer more data points for analysing performance across various market cycles. However, past performance does not guarantee future results. Both funds are available to investors, but their different inception dates mean they have tracked semiconductor sector developments over different time horizons.

Why is net asset size significant when comparing ETFs?

SOXX has substantial net assets of $45.4 billion, while FTXL has a smaller net asset base of $1.5 billion. Larger funds often benefit from greater liquidity and economies of scale, which can impact bid-ask spreads and trading ease. However, size alone does not determine quality. Smaller funds may allow for more agile portfolio management or specific concentration strategies. Investors should consider how liquidity and scale might affect their ability to buy or sell shares efficiently in secondary markets.

Which semiconductor companies are common top holdings in both funds?

Both FTXL and SOXX share several top-10 holdings, including Intel (INTC), Micron Technology (MU), Marvell Technology (MRVL), Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Qualcomm (QCOM), NVIDIA (NVDA), Broadcom (AVGO), and Texas Instruments (TXN). While the specific companies overlap, the weightings differ. For instance, INTC is 12.69% of FTXL but only 9.23% of SOXX. This indicates that while both funds expose investors to similar industry leaders, their portfolio construction and concentration levels vary across these shared positions.

How do the dividend yields of FTXL and SOXX compare?

FTXL offers a dividend yield of 0.10%, while SOXX provides a slightly higher yield of 0.22%. Both yields are relatively low, which is common for growth-oriented sector funds where companies may prioritise reinvestment over dividends. Neither fund is designed primarily for income generation. Investors seeking regular cash flow might find these yields minimal. The difference between 0.10% and 0.22% is small in absolute terms, so yield should not be the sole determining factor when comparing these semiconductor ETFs.

Are index methodologies available for transparency in these funds?

For both FTXL and SOXX, the specific index tracked is listed as 'not available' in the provided data. This limits the transparency regarding the precise selection criteria used to construct the portfolios. Without access to the full index methodology, investors cannot see exactly how constituents are chosen or weighted beyond the current top holdings. This lack of detailed insight means investors must rely on the reported holdings and fund descriptions to understand the exposure mechanics rather than a publicly disclosed rulebook.

What sector do FTXL and SOXX primarily focus on?

Both FTXL and SOXX are categorised under Technology and focus on the semiconductor sector. Their portfolios feature significant weightings in established industry leaders such as Intel, Micron, and NVIDIA. While sector weight data is not available for either fund, the top holdings clearly indicate a concentrated exposure to semiconductor equipment, design, and manufacturing companies. This means their performance is closely tied to the cyclical nature of the global chip market and broader technology trends.

How does concentration in top holdings differ between the two funds?

FTXL shows higher concentration in certain leaders; for example, INTC is 12.69% and MU is 12.61%. SOXX has a more distributed approach, with INTC at 9.23%, AMD at 9.05%, and MU at 8.06%. This suggests FTXL may be more sensitive to the performance of its top two holdings compared to SOXX, where the top positions are slightly smaller percentages of the total portfolio. Such differences influence risk profiles, with higher concentration potentially leading to greater volatility if specific stocks underperform.

Does sector weight data limit the ability to analyse these funds?

Yes, for both FTXL and SOXX, sector weight data is not available. This hinders precise analysis of sub-sector concentrations, such as the split between semiconductor equipment manufacturers versus chip designers. Investors must instead look at the individual company holdings to infer this information. Without explicit sector weights, it is more difficult to determine how diversified the funds are within the broader semiconductor industry or if they hold significant exposure to related technology sub-sectors outside of pure semiconductors.

What should beginners consider when reading ETF comparison data?

Beginners should note that figures like expense ratios (0.60% for FTXL, 0.33% for SOXX) and net assets ($1.5B vs $45.4B) are key metrics. However, data such as index methodology and sector weights are 'not available' for these specific funds, limiting full transparency. It is crucial to understand that higher fees or smaller size do not automatically mean poorer performance, but they are factors to consider alongside holdings and historical track records when evaluating educational examples.

Are these ETFs suitable for income-focused investors?

Generally, no. FTXL has a low dividend yield of 0.10%, and SOXX offers a minimal yield of 0.22%. Both funds are characterised by limited yield potential, which may deter income-focused investors. Semiconductor companies often prioritise growth and capital reinvestment over high dividend payouts. Therefore, these ETFs are typically more aligned with capital appreciation goals rather than generating regular cash flow. Investors seeking significant income should look for funds specifically designed with higher dividend yields or income-focused strategies.

What is the final educational disclaimer for this comparison?

This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The comparison between FTXL and SOXX highlights differences in fees, size, and holdings based on available data as of the source date. Always conduct thorough personal research and consider your individual financial situation, risk tolerance, and investment goals before making any investment decisions. Past performance, such as inception dates or historical yields, is not indicative of future results.

FTXL vs SOXX

Two funds, one decision: we compare cost, performance and what each ETF actually holds in September 2026.

Compare First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) with iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX). This page reviews fees, holdings, dividends and how each fund tracks its market. FTXL has an expense ratio of 0.60%, while SOXX is 0.33%. Both focus on the semiconductor sector with differing portfolio weights. Educational content, not financial advice.

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

FTXL

Metric

SOXX

0.60%

Expense Ratio

0.33%

0.10%

Dividend Yield

0.22%

$1.49B

Net Assets

$45.37B

Holdings

Sep 20, 2016

Inception Date

Jul 10, 2001

–

Index Tracked

–

Technology

Fund Category

Technology

SOXX costs about $27.00 less per year for every $10,000 invested.

Shared Top Holdings

Holding	FTXL	SOXX
INTCIntel Corporation	12.69%	9.23%
MUMicron Technology, Inc.	12.61%	8.06%
MRVLMarvell Technology, Inc.	7.84%	4.39%
AMDAdvanced Micro Devices, Inc.	7.24%	9.05%
QCOMQUALCOMM Incorporated	7.05%	3.97%
NVDANVIDIA Corporation	6.59%	7.66%
AVGOBroadcom Inc.	5.78%	7.35%
TXNTexas Instruments Incorporated	3.24%	3.89%

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FTXL vs SMH

Compare FTXL and SMH ETFs on expense ratios, holdings, dividends, and index focus. Review data on semiconductor exposure to inform your further research.

SOXL vs SOXX

Compare SOXL and SOXX ETFs. Review 0.75% vs 0.33% expense ratios, holdings, yields and 3x leveraged daily tracking differences for semiconductor investors.

SMH vs SOXX

Compare SMH and SOXX on fees, holdings, dividends and index tracking to understand semiconductor ETF differences. Educational information only.

Investment Analysis

FTXL

Pros

The fund offers direct exposure to semiconductor equities with a substantial net asset base of $1.5 billion.
Its portfolio features significant weighting in established industry leaders such as Intel and Micron Technology.
The fund has been available to investors since September 2016, providing an established trading history.

Considerations

The expense ratio is relatively high at 0.60 percent compared to the alternative fund.
Index methodology details are not available, limiting transparency on the specific selection criteria used.
The dividend yield is low at 0.10 percent, which may deter income-focused investors.

SOXX

Pros

With $45.4 billion in net assets, the fund benefits from substantial liquidity and large-scale operations.
The lower expense ratio of 0.33 percent makes it more cost-efficient than the comparable alternative.
The fund has a longer operational history, having launched in July 2001, indicating greater maturity.

Considerations

Dividend income remains minimal at 0.22 percent, offering limited yield potential for investors.
The specific index tracked is not available, restricting detailed insight into the underlying methodology.
Like the alternative, sector weight data is not provided, hindering precise concentration analysis.

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About FTXL and SOXX

FTXL (FTXL)

The First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) is an exchange-traded fund designed to track the performance of companies involved in the semiconductor industry. These firms design, manufacture, and sell advanced semiconductor technologies that power modern electronics, from smartphones to data centres. With net assets of approximately USD 1.49 billion and an expense ratio of 0.60%, the fund offers investors access to a concentrated portfolio of 35 holdings in the technology sector. Investors should note that while the semiconductor industry has shown significant growth driven by digital transformation and AI advancements, it is also subject to cyclicality and rapid technological shifts. Dividend yields are low, reflecting the sector's focus on capital appreciation. As with any investment, values can rise and fall, and capital is at risk.

SOXX (SOXX)

iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) offers investors targeted exposure to companies engaged in the semiconductor industry — including chip designers, manufacturers and equipment suppliers. The ETF aims to track the performance of a semiconductor-focused index, delivering a single, tradable instrument that reflects broad industry trends rather than the fortunes of any one company. SOXX typically holds a concentrated set of large and mid-cap names, so its performance is closely linked to cyclical demand for chips across computing, mobile, automotive and industrial markets. Investors should note that ETFs carry market risk, sector concentration risk and potential tracking error versus their benchmark. Metrics such as assets under management and average daily volume are often more relevant than a single-company market capitalisation. Fees, liquidity and the fund’s holdings can affect outcomes. This is general educational information only and not personal advice; values can fall as well as rise and past performance is not a reliable guide to the future.

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FTXL vs SOXX

Fund Snapshot