CIBR vs. ILDR

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

CIBR (First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF) and ILDR (First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CIBR is a Cybersecurity fund tracking the Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index, while ILDR is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by First Trust. CIBR is passively managed, while ILDR is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, CIBR returned 14.23%/yr vs 10.93%/yr for ILDR. Their correlation of 0.82 means they have usually moved in the same direction. CIBR charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for ILDR.

Performance

CIBR vs. ILDR - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CIBR achieves a 31.78% return, which is significantly higher than ILDR's 13.16% return.

CIBR

• 1D: 2.27%
• 1M: 3.57%
• 6M: 35.30%
• YTD: 31.78%
• 1Y: 31.99%
• 3Y*: 28.29%
• 5Y*: 14.23%
• 10Y*: 18.36%
• ALL TIME*: 15.63%

ILDR

• 1D: 2.55%
• 1M: -2.38%
• 6M: 13.22%
• YTD: 13.16%
• 1Y: 25.69%
• 3Y*: 27.25%
• 5Y*: 10.93%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.51%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
CIBR First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF	$124.81M	$136.12M	$141.72M
ILDR First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF	$1.50M	$2.13M	$1.99M

CIBR vs. ILDR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
CIBR First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF	31.78%	13.06%	18.21%	39.71%	-26.46%	20.71%
ILDR First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF	13.16%	29.22%	29.31%	39.34%	-34.95%	7.57%

Correlation

The correlation between CIBR and ILDR is 0.64, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2021	0.82

The correlation between CIBR and ILDR shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (1 year) to 0.82 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

CIBR vs. ILDR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CIBR	ILDR
Technology	94.9%	37.8%
Industrials	3.0%	13.4%
Communication Services	2.2%	6.1%
Basic Materials	-	1.2%
Consumer Cyclical	-	4.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	1.2%
Financial Services	-	4.9%
Healthcare	-	13.4%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	7.3%

Return for Risk

CIBR vs. ILDR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

CIBR

CIBR Risk / Return Rank: 44
CIBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
CIBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
CIBR Omega Ratio Rank: 48
CIBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
CIBR Martin Ratio Rank: 35

ILDR

ILDR Risk / Return Rank: 39
ILDR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
ILDR Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
ILDR Omega Ratio Rank: 37
ILDR Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
ILDR Martin Ratio Rank: 39

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

CIBR vs. ILDR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) and First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	CIBR	ILDR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.24	1.06	+0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.80	1.54	+0.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.19	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.46	1.46	0.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.38	4.27	-0.89

CIBR vs. ILDR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CIBR Sharpe Ratio is 1.24, which is comparable to the ILDR Sharpe Ratio of 1.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CIBR and ILDR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

CIBR vs. ILDR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CIBR drawdown since its inception was -33.89%, smaller than the maximum ILDR drawdown of -44.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CIBR and ILDR.

Drawdown Indicators

	CIBR	ILDR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.89%	-44.61%	+10.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.99%	-17.70%	-4.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.99%	-26.43%	+4.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.89%	-44.61%	+10.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.89%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.87%	-7.92%	+7.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.62%	-14.71%	+6.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.49%	6.02%	+3.47%

Volatility

CIBR vs. ILDR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) is 7.60%, while First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) has a volatility of 8.60%. This indicates that CIBR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ILDR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CIBR	ILDR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.60%	8.60%	-1.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.41%	19.95%	+2.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.03%	24.45%	+1.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.31%	26.66%	-1.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.65%	26.28%	-2.63%

CIBR vs. ILDR - Expense Ratio Comparison

CIBR has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than ILDR's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

CIBR vs. ILDR - Dividend Comparison

CIBR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.42%, while ILDR has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CIBR First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF	0.42%	0.42%	0.29%	0.42%	0.31%	0.59%	1.10%	0.23%	0.23%	0.10%	0.77%	0.58%
ILDR First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CIBR and ILDR in my portfolio?

CIBR and ILDR have a correlation of 0.64, 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 ILDR?

ILDR has higher volatility (8.60%) compared to CIBR (7.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CIBR dropped -33.89% vs ILDR's -44.61%.

Which ETF is better, CIBR or ILDR?

On 5-year performance, CIBR leads with 14.23% vs 10.93% for ILDR. On fees, CIBR is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, CIBR has been the lower-risk option at 7.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CIBR or ILDR?

Over the 5-year period, CIBR has performed better with a 14.23% return vs 10.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CIBR or ILDR?

CIBR is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ILDR.

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

CIBR has the higher dividend yield at 0.42%, compared with 0.00% for ILDR.

What is the main difference between CIBR and ILDR?

CIBR is categorized as Cybersecurity, while ILDR is Technology Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for CIBR and 0.75% for ILDR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CIBR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.24 vs 1.06), 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.