FAB vs. CIBR

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

FAB (First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund) and CIBR (First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FAB is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Multi Cap Value Index, while CIBR is a Cybersecurity fund tracking the Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FAB returned 10.90%/yr vs 18.36%/yr for CIBR. Their 0.51 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FAB charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for CIBR.

Performance

FAB vs. CIBR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FAB) and First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FAB achieves a 20.06% return, which is significantly lower than CIBR's 31.78% return. Over the past 10 years, FAB has underperformed CIBR with an annualized return of 10.90%, while CIBR has yielded a comparatively higher 18.36% annualized return.

FAB

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: 3.54%
• 6M: 13.45%
• YTD: 20.06%
• 1Y: 33.22%
• 3Y*: 14.52%
• 5Y*: 10.61%
• 10Y*: 10.90%
• ALL TIME*: 8.47%

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%

*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
FAB First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	$2.56M	$3.08M	$1.18M

FAB vs. CIBR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FAB First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	20.06%	9.86%	7.82%	15.81%	-6.79%	30.83%	2.40%	23.73%	-14.62%	14.62%
CIBR First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF	31.78%	13.06%	18.21%	39.71%	-26.46%	19.67%	50.53%	28.52%	1.47%	18.61%

Correlation

The correlation between FAB and CIBR is 0.23, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.51
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 7, 2015	0.51

Over the past year, the correlation between FAB and CIBR has dropped to 0.23 - well below their long-term average of 0.51, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FAB vs. CIBR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FAB	CIBR
Financial Services	24.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	14.1%	-
Industrials	10.5%	3.0%
Real Estate	8.7%	-
Energy	8.4%	-
Healthcare	7.4%	-
Technology	7.2%	94.9%
Utilities	7.1%	-
Consumer Defensive	5.7%	-
Basic Materials	3.5%	-
Communication Services	3.1%	2.2%

Return for Risk

FAB vs. CIBR — Risk / Return Rank

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

FAB

FAB Risk / Return Rank: 92
FAB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
FAB Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
FAB Omega Ratio Rank: 90
FAB Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
FAB Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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

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.

FAB vs. CIBR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FAB) and First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR). 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.

	FAB	CIBR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	1.24	+1.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.77	1.80	+1.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.22	+0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.02	1.46	+3.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.57	3.38	+13.19

FAB vs. CIBR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FAB Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is higher than the CIBR Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FAB and CIBR, 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

FAB vs. CIBR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAB drawdown since its inception was -63.29%, which is greater than CIBR's maximum drawdown of -33.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAB and CIBR.

Drawdown Indicators

	FAB	CIBR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.29%	-33.89%	-29.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.65%	-21.99%	+15.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.91%	-21.99%	-0.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.91%	-33.89%	+10.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.08%	-33.89%	-13.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.63%	-0.87%	+0.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.18%	-8.62%	-0.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.01%	9.49%	-7.48%

Volatility

FAB vs. CIBR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FAB) is 3.84%, while First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) has a volatility of 7.60%. This indicates that FAB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CIBR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FAB	CIBR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.84%	7.60%	-3.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.70%	22.41%	-13.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.31%	26.03%	-12.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.61%	25.31%	-6.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.96%	23.65%	-1.69%

FAB vs. CIBR - Expense Ratio Comparison

FAB has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than CIBR's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

FAB vs. CIBR - Dividend Comparison

FAB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.51%, more than CIBR's 0.42% yield.

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%
FAB First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	1.51%	1.57%	2.00%	1.94%	1.80%	1.32%	1.59%	1.75%	1.96%	1.42%	1.40%	1.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FAB and CIBR in my portfolio?

FAB and CIBR have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FAB or CIBR?

CIBR has higher volatility (7.60%) compared to FAB (3.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAB dropped -63.29% vs CIBR's -33.89%.

Which ETF is better, FAB or CIBR?

On 10-year performance, CIBR leads with 18.36% vs 10.90% for FAB. On fees, CIBR is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FAB has been the lower-risk option at 3.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FAB or CIBR?

Over the 10-year period, CIBR has performed better with a 18.36% return vs 10.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FAB or CIBR?

CIBR is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.64% for FAB.

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

FAB has the higher dividend yield at 1.51%, compared with 0.42% for CIBR.

What is the main difference between FAB and CIBR?

FAB is categorized as Mid Cap Value Equities, while CIBR is Cybersecurity. FAB tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Multi Cap Value Index, while CIBR tracks Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index. Their fees differ too: 0.64% for FAB and 0.60% for CIBR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 1.24), 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.