EKG vs. GERM

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF (EKG) and Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF (GERM).

EKG and GERM are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. EKG is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ Lux Health Tech Index. It was launched on Mar 22, 2022. GERM is a passively managed fund by Amplify that tracks the performance of the Prime Treatments, Testing and Advancements Index. It was launched on Jun 17, 2020. Both EKG and GERM are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

EKG vs. GERM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF (EKG) and Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF (GERM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

EKG vs. GERM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
EKG First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF	-14.04%	11.89%	4.06%
GERM Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Returns By Period

EKG

• 1D: 0.64%
• 1M: -8.58%
• YTD: -14.04%
• 6M: -6.60%
• 1Y: 4.53%
• 3Y*: -1.55%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GERM

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.00%
• 1Y: 0.00%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

EKG vs. GERM - Expense Ratio Comparison

EKG has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than GERM's 0.68% expense ratio.

GERM

Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF

EKG

First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF

Return for Risk

EKG vs. GERM — Risk / Return Rank

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

EKG

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

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.

EKG vs. GERM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF (EKG) and Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF (GERM). 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.

	EKG	GERM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.18	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.45	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.20	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.67	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	EKG	GERM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.18	—	—

Dividends

EKG vs. GERM - Dividend Comparison

Neither EKG nor GERM has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Drawdowns

EKG vs. GERM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EKG drawdown since its inception was -43.82%, which is greater than GERM's maximum drawdown of 0.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EKG and GERM.

Drawdown Indicators

	EKG	GERM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.82%	0.00%	-43.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.99%	0.00%	-21.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.25%	0.00%	-24.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.65%	0.00%	-22.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.54%	0.00%	+6.54%

Volatility

EKG vs. GERM - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF (EKG) has a higher volatility of 8.01% compared to Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF (GERM) at 0.00%. This indicates that EKG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GERM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EKG	GERM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.01%	0.00%	+8.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.42%	0.00%	+14.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.71%	0.00%	+24.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.07%	0.00%	+27.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.07%	0.00%	+27.07%