CIBR vs. IHAK

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

CIBR (First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF) and IHAK (iShares Cybersecurity & Tech ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CIBR is a Cybersecurity fund tracking the Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index, while IHAK is a Technology Equities fund tracking the NYSE FactSet Global Cyber Security Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, CIBR returned 14.99%/yr vs 7.00%/yr for IHAK. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CIBR charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for IHAK.

Performance

CIBR vs. IHAK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) and iShares Cybersecurity & Tech ETF (IHAK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CIBR achieves a 21.55% return, which is significantly higher than IHAK's 18.52% 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%

IHAK

• 1D: -3.62%
• 1M: 15.04%
• YTD: 18.52%
• 6M: 15.74%
• 1Y: 10.66%
• 3Y*: 15.74%
• 5Y*: 7.00%
• 10Y*: —

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

CIBR vs. IHAK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
CIBR First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF	21.55%	13.06%	18.21%	39.71%	-26.46%	19.67%	50.53%	6.40%
IHAK iShares Cybersecurity & Tech ETF	18.52%	-1.29%	7.60%	37.77%	-25.81%	11.13%	51.22%	6.66%

Correlation

The correlation between CIBR and IHAK is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2019	0.95

The correlation between CIBR and IHAK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

CIBR vs. IHAK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CIBR	IHAK
Technology	94.0%	95.8%
Industrials	3.5%	3.3%
Communication Services	2.6%	0.4%
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

CIBR vs. IHAK — 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

IHAK

IHAK Risk / Return Rank: 16
IHAK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
IHAK Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
IHAK Omega Ratio Rank: 17
IHAK Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
IHAK Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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. IHAK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) and iShares Cybersecurity & Tech ETF (IHAK). 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	IHAK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.77	0.44	+0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.19	0.75	+0.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.10	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.87	0.46	+0.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.05	1.07	+0.98
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. IHAK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CIBR Sharpe Ratio is 0.77, which is higher than the IHAK Sharpe Ratio of 0.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CIBR and IHAK, 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	IHAK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77	0.44	+0.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.30	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.52	+0.12

Drawdowns

CIBR vs. IHAK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CIBR drawdown since its inception was -33.89%, roughly equal to the maximum IHAK drawdown of -34.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CIBR and IHAK.

Drawdown Indicators

	CIBR	IHAK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.89%	-34.42%	+0.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.99%	-23.48%	+1.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.99%	-23.48%	+1.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.89%	-34.42%	+0.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.89%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.08%	-6.54%	-1.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.66%	-10.76%	+2.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.27%	9.99%	-0.72%

Volatility

CIBR vs. IHAK - Volatility Comparison

First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) has a higher volatility of 12.36% compared to iShares Cybersecurity & Tech ETF (IHAK) at 10.44%. This indicates that CIBR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IHAK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CIBR	IHAK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.36%	10.44%	+1.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.41%	20.28%	+1.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.91%	24.31%	+0.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.02%	23.62%	+1.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.64%	24.44%	-0.80%

CIBR vs. IHAK - Expense Ratio Comparison

CIBR has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than IHAK's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

CIBR vs. IHAK - Dividend Comparison

CIBR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.47%, more than IHAK's 0.07% 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%
IHAK iShares Cybersecurity & Tech ETF	0.07%	0.08%	0.20%	0.13%	0.25%	0.50%	0.40%	0.50%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CIBR and IHAK in my portfolio?

CIBR and IHAK have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CIBR or IHAK?

CIBR has higher volatility (12.36%) compared to IHAK (10.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CIBR dropped -33.89% vs IHAK's -34.42%.

Which ETF is better, CIBR or IHAK?

On 5-year performance, CIBR leads with 14.99% vs 7.00% for IHAK. On fees, IHAK is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, IHAK has been the lower-risk option at 10.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CIBR or IHAK?

Over the 5-year period, CIBR has performed better with a 14.99% return vs 7.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CIBR or IHAK?

IHAK is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for CIBR.

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

CIBR has the higher dividend yield at 0.47%, compared with 0.07% for IHAK.

What is the main difference between CIBR and IHAK?

CIBR is categorized as Cybersecurity, while IHAK is Technology Equities. CIBR tracks Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index, while IHAK tracks NYSE FactSet Global Cyber Security Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for CIBR and 0.47% for IHAK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CIBR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.77 vs 0.44), 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.