CIBR vs. HACK

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

CIBR (First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF) and HACK (ETFMG Prime Cyber Security ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CIBR is a Cybersecurity fund tracking the Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index, while HACK is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Prime Cyber Defense Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, CIBR returned 17.73%/yr vs 15.22%/yr for HACK. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. Both charge a 0.60% expense ratio.

Performance

CIBR vs. HACK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) and ETFMG Prime Cyber Security ETF (HACK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with CIBR having a 21.55% return and HACK slightly lower at 21.07%. Over the past 10 years, CIBR has outperformed HACK with an annualized return of 17.73%, while HACK has yielded a comparatively lower 15.22% annualized return.

CIBR

• 1D: -4.41%
• 1M: 23.56%
• YTD: 21.55%
• 6M: 16.15%
• 1Y: 18.97%
• 3Y*: 25.83%
• 5Y*: 14.99%
• 10Y*: 17.73%

HACK

• 1D: -3.80%
• 1M: 17.06%
• YTD: 21.07%
• 6M: 15.53%
• 1Y: 15.75%
• 3Y*: 25.54%
• 5Y*: 10.72%
• 10Y*: 15.22%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

CIBR vs. HACK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CIBR First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF	21.55%	13.06%	18.21%	39.71%	-26.46%	19.67%	50.53%	28.52%	1.47%	18.61%
HACK ETFMG Prime Cyber Security ETF	21.07%	7.97%	23.49%	37.44%	-28.16%	7.03%	41.51%	23.39%	6.61%	19.68%

Correlation

The correlation between CIBR and HACK is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 8, 2015	0.96

The correlation between CIBR and HACK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

CIBR vs. HACK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CIBR	HACK
Technology	94.0%	93.0%
Industrials	3.5%	6.9%
Communication Services	2.6%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.1%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

CIBR vs. HACK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

CIBR

CIBR Risk / Return Rank: 22
CIBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
CIBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
CIBR Omega Ratio Rank: 23
CIBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
CIBR Martin Ratio Rank: 19

HACK

HACK Risk / Return Rank: 19
HACK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
HACK Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
HACK Omega Ratio Rank: 20
HACK Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
HACK Martin Ratio Rank: 18

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

CIBR vs. HACK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) and ETFMG Prime Cyber Security ETF (HACK). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	CIBR	HACK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.77	0.61	+0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.19	0.98	+0.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.13	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.87	0.77	+0.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.05	1.84	+0.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CIBR vs. HACK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CIBR Sharpe Ratio is 0.77, which is comparable to the HACK Sharpe Ratio of 0.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CIBR and HACK, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	CIBR	HACK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77	0.61	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.44	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75	0.66	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.55	+0.09

Drawdowns

CIBR vs. HACK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CIBR drawdown since its inception was -33.89%, smaller than the maximum HACK drawdown of -42.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CIBR and HACK.

Drawdown Indicators

	CIBR	HACK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.89%	-42.68%	+8.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.99%	-20.67%	-1.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.99%	-21.90%	-0.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.89%	-38.68%	+4.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.89%	-38.68%	+4.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.08%	-7.66%	-0.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.66%	-11.63%	+2.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.27%	8.60%	+0.67%

Volatility

CIBR vs. HACK - Volatility Comparison

First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) has a higher volatility of 12.36% compared to ETFMG Prime Cyber Security ETF (HACK) at 11.73%. This indicates that CIBR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HACK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CIBR	HACK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.36%	11.73%	+0.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.41%	21.88%	-0.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.91%	25.76%	-0.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.02%	24.23%	+0.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.64%	23.30%	+0.34%

CIBR vs. HACK - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both CIBR and HACK have an expense ratio of 0.60%.

Dividends

CIBR vs. HACK - Dividend Comparison

CIBR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.47%, more than HACK's 0.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CIBR First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF	0.47%	0.42%	0.29%	0.42%	0.31%	0.59%	1.10%	0.23%	0.23%	0.10%	0.77%	0.58%
HACK ETFMG Prime Cyber Security ETF	0.06%	0.07%	0.14%	0.20%	0.24%	0.26%	1.11%	0.14%	0.09%	0.01%	1.23%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CIBR and HACK in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, CIBR and HACK move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, CIBR or HACK?

CIBR has higher volatility (12.36%) compared to HACK (11.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CIBR dropped -33.89% vs HACK's -42.68%.

Which ETF is better, CIBR or HACK?

On 10-year performance, CIBR leads with 17.73% vs 15.22% for HACK. Both ETFs have the same 0.60% expense ratio. On volatility, HACK has been the lower-risk option at 11.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CIBR or HACK?

Over the 10-year period, CIBR has performed better with a 17.73% return vs 15.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CIBR or HACK?

CIBR and HACK have the same expense ratio: 0.60% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CIBR or HACK?

CIBR has the higher dividend yield at 0.47%, compared with 0.06% for HACK.

What is the main difference between CIBR and HACK?

CIBR is categorized as Cybersecurity, while HACK is Technology Equities. CIBR tracks Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index, while HACK tracks Prime Cyber Defense Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and ETFMG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CIBR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.77 vs 0.61), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.