CIBR vs. XLK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CIBR (First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF) and XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Technology Equities funds - CIBR tracks the Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index while XLK tracks the S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, CIBR returned 18.49%/yr vs 25.84%/yr for XLK. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CIBR charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLK.

Performance

CIBR vs. XLK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). 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 lower than XLK's 36.47% return. Over the past 10 years, CIBR has underperformed XLK with an annualized return of 18.49%, while XLK has yielded a comparatively higher 25.84% 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%

XLK

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: 21.09%
• YTD: 36.47%
• 6M: 35.71%
• 1Y: 66.93%
• 3Y*: 33.90%
• 5Y*: 23.83%
• 10Y*: 25.84%

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

CIBR vs. XLK - 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%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	36.47%	24.61%	21.63%	56.02%	-27.73%	34.74%	43.62%	49.86%	-1.68%	34.26%

Correlation

The correlation between CIBR and XLK is 0.63, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 8, 2015	0.76

The correlation between CIBR and XLK shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (1 year) to 0.76 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

CIBR vs. XLK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CIBR	XLK
Technology	94.0%	99.7%
Industrials	3.5%	0.1%
Communication Services	2.6%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.2%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

CIBR vs. XLK — 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

XLK

XLK Risk / Return Rank: 83
XLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
XLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
XLK Omega Ratio Rank: 83
XLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
XLK Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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. XLK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). 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	XLK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.06	3.24	-2.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.56	3.92	-2.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.52	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.18	4.22	-3.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.79	14.16	-11.37
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. XLK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CIBR Sharpe Ratio is 1.06, which is lower than the XLK Sharpe Ratio of 3.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CIBR and XLK, 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	XLK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.06	3.24	-2.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.96	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	1.06	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.42	+0.25

Drawdowns

CIBR vs. XLK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CIBR drawdown since its inception was -33.89%, smaller than the maximum XLK drawdown of -82.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CIBR and XLK.

Drawdown Indicators

	CIBR	XLK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.89%	-82.05%	+48.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.99%	-15.92%	-6.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.99%	-25.66%	+3.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.89%	-33.56%	-0.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.89%	-33.56%	-0.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.81%	-1.00%	-1.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.66%	-34.96%	+26.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.25%	4.74%	+4.51%

Volatility

CIBR vs. XLK - Volatility Comparison

First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) has a higher volatility of 10.90% compared to State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) at 6.98%. This indicates that CIBR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CIBR	XLK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.90%	6.98%	+3.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.90%	16.68%	+4.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.50%	20.82%	+3.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.95%	24.90%	+0.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.60%	24.49%	-0.89%

CIBR vs. XLK - Expense Ratio Comparison

CIBR has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than XLK's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

CIBR vs. XLK - Dividend Comparison

CIBR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, more than XLK's 0.39% 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%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.39%	0.54%	0.66%	0.76%	1.04%	0.65%	0.92%	1.16%	1.60%	1.37%	1.74%	1.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CIBR and XLK in my portfolio?

CIBR and XLK have a correlation of 0.63, 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 XLK?

CIBR has higher volatility (10.90%) compared to XLK (6.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CIBR dropped -33.89% vs XLK's -82.05%.

Which ETF is better, CIBR or XLK?

On 10-year performance, XLK leads with 25.84% vs 18.49% for CIBR. On fees, XLK is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLK has been the lower-risk option at 6.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CIBR or XLK?

Over the 10-year period, XLK has performed better with a 25.84% return vs 18.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CIBR or XLK?

XLK is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for CIBR.

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

CIBR has the higher dividend yield at 0.45%, compared with 0.39% for XLK.

What is the main difference between CIBR and XLK?

CIBR tracks Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index, while XLK tracks S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for CIBR and 0.08% for XLK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.24 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.