A side-by-side comparison of First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF (FTXN) and iShares S&P/TSX Capped Energy Index ETF (XEG) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | FTXN | XEG |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +25.39% | +58.52%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | +0.24%✓ | -0.23% |
| 1-Week Change | +1.94%✓ | +0.68% |
| 1-Month Change | +12.28%✓ | +11.43% |
| Current Price | $42.64 | $30.99 |
| AUM | $1.20B | $2.68B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.6%✓ | 60% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.92% | 2.37%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | NA | Quarterly |
| Inception Date | 2016-09-20 | 2001-03-19 |
| Holdings Count | 48 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Energy Equity | Energy Equity |
| Beta | -0.05 | 0.95 |
| 52-Week High | $43.44 | $31.72 |
| 52-Week Low | $26.34 | $17.49 |
| 50-Day MA | $40.56 | $29.19 |
| 200-Day MA | $36.69 | $26.18 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | FTXN | XEG |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +25.39% | +58.52%✓ |
| 1 Year | +58.73% | +72.35%✓ |
| 3 Year | +15.94% | +25.74%✓ |
| 5 Year | +18.61% | +30.40%✓ |
| 10 Year | +10.64% | +11.63%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 25.92% | 28.61% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.38 | 0.81 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | XOM | Exxon Mobil Corp | 8.40% |
| 2 | COP | ConocoPhillips | 8.28% |
| 3 | CVX | Chevron Corp | 7.70% |
| 4 | MPC | Marathon Petroleum Corp | 7.84% |
| 5 | EOG | EOG Resources Inc | 5.45% |
| 6 | VLO | Valero Energy Corporation | 3.84% |
| 7 | PSX | Phillips 66 | 3.66% |
| 8 | OXY | Occidental Petroleum Corporation | 3.88% |
| 9 | FANG | Diamondback Energy Inc | 3.64% |
| 10 | DVN | Devon Energy Corporation | 3.38% |
| 1 | SU | Suncor Energy Inc | 26.80% |
| 2 | CNQ | Canadian Natural Resources Ltd | 23.38% |
| 3 | CVE | Cenovus Energy Inc | 15.26% |
| 4 | IMO | Imperial Oil Ltd | 6.60% |
| 5 | TOU | Tourmaline Oil Corp. | 5.76% |
| 6 | WCP | Whitecap Resources Inc. | 5.26% |
| 7 | PSK | PrairieSky Royalty Ltd | 2.01% |
| 8 | TVE | Tamarack Valley Energy Ltd | 1.66% |
| 9 | ATH | Athabasca Oil Corp | 1.23% |
| 10 | PEY | Peyto Exploration&Development Corp | 1.16% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | FTXN | XEG |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.50% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 101.42% | 100.00% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 0.00% |
About FTXN
The fund will normally invest at least 80% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in the securities that comprise the index. The index is designed to provide exposure to U.S. companies comprising the oil and gas sector that have been selected based upon their liquidity and ranking. It is non-diversified.
About XEG
iShares S&P/TSX Capped Energy Index ETF (XEG.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both FTXN and XEG are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, XEG scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between FTXN and XEG?
FTXN (First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF) and XEG (iShares S&P/TSX Capped Energy Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($1.20B vs $2.68B), dividend yield (1.92% vs 2.37%), and year-to-date performance (+25.39% vs +58.52%).
Is FTXN better than XEG?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise dividends, compare both yields and choose based on your income needs. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy FTXN and XEG on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both FTXN and XEG should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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