FXZvsXLBETF Comparison
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First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund ETF (FXZ) and State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) belong to the same industry segment: US Materials. FXZ's top 2 sector exposures are Non-Energy Materials and Industrials. In contrast, XLB's top sector exposures are Non-Energy Materials. FXZ is more expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.64%, versus 0.08% for XLB. FXZ is up 34.12% year-to-date (YTD) with +$114M in YTD flows. XLB performs worse with 17.78% YTD performance, and +$2.39B in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of FXZ and XLB below, and assess how they stack up in performance, liquidity, risk, exposure, holdings, and more, helping you select the best ETF for your investments.
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FXZ vs XLB performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 09/02/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | FXZ XLB | +10.96%+3.78% | +2.94%+3.23% | +34.12%+17.78% | +43.29%+17.69% | +38.12%+36.31% | +59.81%+36.03% |
| Flows | FXZ XLB | -$3M+$41M | -$39M+$1.22B | +$114M+$2.39B | +$99M+$2.30B | -$203M+$1.71B | +$19M-$545M |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | FXZ XLB | +23.68%+19.61% | +22.91%+17.87% | +22.20%+17.40% | +24.34%+19.13% |
| Max drawdown | FXZ XLB | -11.21%-4.81% | -12.79%-12.34% | -33.94%-23.18% | -33.94%-24.78% |
| Max drawdown duration | FXZ XLB | 60d49d | 36d177d | 639d445d | 639d679d |
Trading data
FXZ | XLB | |
Last sale 9/3/2026 at 1:30 PM | $86.63 | $52.64 |
| Previous close 09/02/2026 | $86.39 | $52.95 |
| Consolidated volume 09/02/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of August 31, 2026
1-year trailing difference
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FXZ | XLB | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
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Main metrics
Last update 9/3/2026 at 1:30 PM
Live
Closed
FXZ | XLB | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $86.63 | $52.64 |
| 1D performance | +0.28% | -0.59% |
| AuM | $410.37 M | $8.71 B |
| E/R | 0.64% | 0.08% |
Characteristics
FXZ | XLB | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Passive | Passive |
| Provider | First Trust | State Street Investment Management |
| Benchmark | StrataQuant Materials Index | S&P Materials Select Sector Index |
| N° of holdings | 39 | 25 |
| Asset class | Equities | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | May 8, 2007 | December 16, 1998 |
| ESG | No | No |
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Exposure
Countries
FXZ
USA
96.37%
Other
3.63%
XLB
USA
77.95%
United Kingdom
15.64%
Other
6.4%
Sectors
FXZ
Non-Energy Materi.
95.28%
Other
4.72%
XLB
Non-Energy Materi.
99.81%
Other
0.19%
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Diversification
FXZ
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
61.46%
XLB
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
76.14%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of July 31, 2026
FXZ
Anglogold Ashanti Plc
6.22%
Newmont Corp.
5.97%
Coeur Mining, Inc.
5.65%
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
5.06%
Almonty Industries, Inc.
4.67%
Alcoa Corp.
4.23%
Steel Dynamics, Inc.
4.17%
Eastman Chemical Co.
3.37%
The Mosaic Co.
3.37%
Nucor Corp.
3.30%
International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.
3.22%
Aura Minerals, Inc.
3.16%
Hecla Mining Co.
3.09%
Mueller Industries, Inc.
3.08%
Royal Gold, Inc.
2.90%
XLB
Linde Plc
13.42%
Newmont Corp.
6.07%
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.
5.46%
The Sherwin-Williams Co.
5.06%
Ecolab, Inc.
4.88%
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.
4.81%
Corteva, Inc.
4.77%
Nucor Corp.
4.64%
Vulcan Materials Co.
4.45%
CRH Plc
4.29%
Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.
4.29%
Steel Dynamics, Inc.
4.23%
PPG Industries, Inc.
3.41%
Smurfit WestRock Plc
3.34%
Dow, Inc.
3.03%
Frequently asked questions about FXZ and XLB
How have the FXZ and XLB ETFs performed in 2026?
As of September 2, 2026, FXZ is up 34.12% year-to-date (YTD), while XLB has returned 17.78%. That puts FXZ better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: FXZ or XLB?
Year-to-date, the FXZ ETF saw +$114M in flows, compared to +$2.39B for XLB.
Which ETF is more volatile: FXZ or XLB?
Over the past year, FXZ had a volatility of 22.91%, while XLB experienced 17.87%.
Which ETF is bigger: FXZ or XLB?
As of September 2, 2026, FXZ holds $410.37 M in assets under management (AUM), while XLB manages $8.71 B.
What sectors do the FXZ and XLB ETFs invest in?
FXZ leans toward sectors like Non-Energy Materials. Meanwhile, XLB focuses on Non-Energy Materials.
What are the top holdings of the FXZ ETF and XLB ETF?
FXZ top holdings include Anglogold Ashanti Plc, Newmont Corp. and Coeur Mining, Inc.. XLB holds in its top three: Linde Plc, Newmont Corp. and Freeport-McMoRan, Inc..
Which ETF is more diversified: FXZ or XLB?
FXZ holds 39 securities with 61.46% of its assets in the top 15. XLB has 25 securities and a top 15 weight of 76.14%.
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Latest news about FXZ & XLB
Investing in Sector ETFs: Energy, Industrials, & Materials
September 6, 2024
XLB
Tony's ETF Buyer's Guide: Sector ETFs (Vanguard versus State Street SPDR)
December 1, 2023
XLB
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