CRTC vs. ILDR

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

CRTC (Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF) and ILDR (First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF) are both Technology Equities funds. CRTC is passively managed, while ILDR is actively managed. Over the past year, CRTC returned 17.24% vs 25.69% for ILDR. Their correlation of 0.89 means they have usually moved in the same direction. CRTC charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for ILDR.

Performance

CRTC vs. ILDR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF (CRTC) 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, CRTC achieves a 9.47% return, which is significantly lower than ILDR's 13.16% return.

CRTC

• 1D: 2.36%
• 1M: 3.10%
• 6M: 7.08%
• YTD: 9.47%
• 1Y: 17.24%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 20.10%

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)
CRTC Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF	$249.56K	$623.71K	$501.58K
ILDR First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF	$1.50M	$2.13M	$1.99M

CRTC vs. ILDR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
CRTC Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF	9.47%	18.69%	18.05%	7.16%
ILDR First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF	13.16%	29.22%	29.31%	8.95%

Correlation

The correlation between CRTC and ILDR is 0.89, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2023	0.89

The correlation between CRTC and ILDR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

CRTC vs. ILDR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CRTC	ILDR
Technology	39.6%	37.8%
Communication Services	14.0%	6.1%
Healthcare	13.5%	13.4%
Industrials	13.4%	13.4%
Energy	5.8%	1.2%
Utilities	5.5%	7.3%
Consumer Cyclical	4.9%	4.9%
Basic Materials	3.0%	1.2%
Financial Services	0.1%	4.9%
Real Estate	0.1%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	-

Return for Risk

CRTC vs. ILDR — Risk / Return Rank

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

CRTC

CRTC Risk / Return Rank: 47
CRTC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
CRTC Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
CRTC Omega Ratio Rank: 44
CRTC Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
CRTC Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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.

CRTC vs. ILDR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF (CRTC) 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.

	CRTC	ILDR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.24	1.06	+0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.73	1.54	+0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.19	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.91	1.46	+0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.01	4.27	+1.73

CRTC vs. ILDR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CRTC 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 CRTC 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

CRTC vs. ILDR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CRTC drawdown since its inception was -19.07%, smaller than the maximum ILDR drawdown of -44.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CRTC and ILDR.

Drawdown Indicators

	CRTC	ILDR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.07%	-44.61%	+25.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.05%	-17.70%	+8.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-26.43%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-44.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.47%	-7.92%	+7.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.23%	-14.71%	+12.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.88%	6.02%	-3.14%

Volatility

CRTC vs. ILDR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF (CRTC) is 4.30%, while First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) has a volatility of 8.60%. This indicates that CRTC 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

	CRTC	ILDR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.30%	8.60%	-4.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.00%	19.95%	-8.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.04%	24.45%	-10.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.82%	26.66%	-10.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.82%	26.28%	-10.46%

CRTC vs. ILDR - Expense Ratio Comparison

CRTC has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than ILDR's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

CRTC vs. ILDR - Dividend Comparison

CRTC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, while ILDR has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
CRTC Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF	0.87%	1.03%	1.13%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%
ILDR First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CRTC and ILDR in my portfolio?

CRTC and ILDR have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CRTC or ILDR?

ILDR has higher volatility (8.60%) compared to CRTC (4.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CRTC dropped -19.07% vs ILDR's -44.61%.

Which ETF is better, CRTC or ILDR?

On 1-year performance, ILDR leads with 25.69% vs 17.24% for CRTC. On fees, CRTC is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, CRTC has been the lower-risk option at 4.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CRTC or ILDR?

Over the 1-year period, ILDR has performed better with a 25.69% return vs 17.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CRTC or ILDR?

CRTC is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ILDR.

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

CRTC has the higher dividend yield at 0.87%, compared with 0.00% for ILDR.

What is the main difference between CRTC and ILDR?

They also come from different issuers: Xtrackers and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for CRTC and 0.75% for ILDR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CRTC 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.