CIBR vs. VOX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CIBR (First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF) and VOX (Vanguard Communication Services ETF) are both Technology Equities funds - CIBR tracks the Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index while VOX tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Telecommunication Services 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, CIBR returned 18.49%/yr vs 9.30%/yr for VOX. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CIBR charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VOX.

Performance

CIBR vs. VOX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CIBR achieves a 28.52% return, which is significantly higher than VOX's -1.38% return. Over the past 10 years, CIBR has outperformed VOX with an annualized return of 18.49%, while VOX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.30% annualized return.

CIBR

• 1D: -2.81%
• 1M: 31.43%
• YTD: 28.52%
• 6M: 24.03%
• 1Y: 25.78%
• 3Y*: 28.32%
• 5Y*: 16.28%
• 10Y*: 18.49%

VOX

• 1D: -0.84%
• 1M: -2.77%
• YTD: -1.38%
• 6M: 0.47%
• 1Y: 20.55%
• 3Y*: 24.02%
• 5Y*: 7.58%
• 10Y*: 9.30%

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

CIBR vs. VOX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CIBR First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF	28.52%	13.06%	18.21%	39.71%	-26.46%	19.67%	50.53%	28.52%	1.47%	18.61%
VOX Vanguard Communication Services ETF	-1.38%	26.27%	33.12%	44.81%	-38.85%	13.83%	29.12%	28.03%	-16.75%	-5.50%

Correlation

The correlation between CIBR and VOX is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 8, 2015	0.63

Over the past year, the correlation between CIBR and VOX has dropped to 0.39 - well below their long-term average of 0.63, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

CIBR vs. VOX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CIBR	VOX
Technology	94.0%	1.2%
Industrials	3.5%	0.0%
Communication Services	2.6%	98.4%
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	0.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	0.0%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

CIBR vs. VOX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CIBR

CIBR Risk / Return Rank: 26
CIBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
CIBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
CIBR Omega Ratio Rank: 29
CIBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
CIBR Martin Ratio Rank: 22

VOX

VOX Risk / Return Rank: 35
VOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
VOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
VOX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
VOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
VOX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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. VOX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) and Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX). 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	VOX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.06	1.34	-0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.56	2.00	-0.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.24	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.18	1.52	-0.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.79	5.83	-3.03
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. VOX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CIBR Sharpe Ratio is 1.06, which is comparable to the VOX Sharpe Ratio of 1.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CIBR and VOX, 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	VOX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.06	1.34	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.36	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.45	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.43	+0.23

Drawdowns

CIBR vs. VOX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CIBR drawdown since its inception was -33.89%, smaller than the maximum VOX drawdown of -57.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CIBR and VOX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CIBR	VOX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.89%	-57.18%	+23.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.99%	-13.56%	-8.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.99%	-21.15%	-0.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.89%	-46.76%	+12.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.89%	-46.76%	+12.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.81%	-4.70%	+1.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.66%	-11.91%	+3.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.25%	3.54%	+5.71%

Volatility

CIBR vs. VOX - Volatility Comparison

First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) has a higher volatility of 10.90% compared to Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX) at 4.24%. This indicates that CIBR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CIBR	VOX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.90%	4.24%	+6.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.90%	11.16%	+9.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.50%	15.45%	+9.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.95%	21.15%	+3.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.60%	20.89%	+2.71%

CIBR vs. VOX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CIBR has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than VOX's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

CIBR vs. VOX - Dividend Comparison

CIBR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less than VOX's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CIBR First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF	0.45%	0.42%	0.29%	0.42%	0.31%	0.59%	1.10%	0.23%	0.23%	0.10%	0.77%	0.58%
VOX Vanguard Communication Services ETF	1.00%	0.95%	1.05%	1.03%	0.88%	0.93%	0.73%	0.90%	2.77%	3.83%	2.67%	3.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CIBR and VOX in my portfolio?

CIBR and VOX have a correlation of 0.39, 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 VOX?

CIBR has higher volatility (10.90%) compared to VOX (4.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CIBR dropped -33.89% vs VOX's -57.18%.

Which ETF is better, CIBR or VOX?

On 10-year performance, CIBR leads with 18.49% vs 9.30% for VOX. On fees, VOX is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, VOX has been the lower-risk option at 4.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CIBR or VOX?

Over the 10-year period, CIBR has performed better with a 18.49% return vs 9.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CIBR or VOX?

VOX is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for CIBR.

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

VOX has the higher dividend yield at 1.00%, compared with 0.45% for CIBR.

What is the main difference between CIBR and VOX?

CIBR tracks Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index, while VOX tracks MSCI US Investable Market Telecommunication Services 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for CIBR and 0.10% for VOX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.34 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.