FTC vs. CIBR

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

FTC (First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund) and CIBR (First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTC is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Growth Index, while CIBR is a Cybersecurity fund tracking the Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTC returned 15.09%/yr vs 17.88%/yr for CIBR. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.60% expense ratio.

Performance

FTC vs. CIBR - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with FTC having a 17.55% return and CIBR slightly lower at 17.49%. Over the past 10 years, FTC has underperformed CIBR with an annualized return of 15.09%, while CIBR has yielded a comparatively higher 17.88% annualized return.

FTC

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 4.71%
• YTD: 17.55%
• 6M: 15.09%
• 1Y: 27.24%
• 3Y*: 24.88%
• 5Y*: 12.07%
• 10Y*: 15.09%

CIBR

• 1D: -0.49%
• 1M: -0.57%
• YTD: 17.49%
• 6M: 15.23%
• 1Y: 14.09%
• 3Y*: 24.53%
• 5Y*: 12.62%
• 10Y*: 17.88%

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

FTC vs. CIBR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTC First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	17.55%	15.89%	26.60%	20.72%	-23.28%	24.43%	33.35%	28.07%	-6.03%	25.32%
CIBR First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF	17.49%	13.06%	18.21%	39.71%	-26.46%	19.67%	50.53%	28.52%	1.47%	18.61%

Correlation

The correlation between FTC and CIBR is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 7, 2015	0.78

Over the past year, the correlation between FTC and CIBR has dropped to 0.53 - well below their long-term average of 0.78, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FTC vs. CIBR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTC	CIBR
Technology	36.0%	95.4%
Industrials	27.5%	2.7%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	-
Healthcare	8.6%	-
Financial Services	6.5%	-
Basic Materials	3.1%	-
Communication Services	2.4%	1.9%
Real Estate	2.0%	-
Utilities	1.9%	-
Consumer Defensive	1.9%	-
Energy	0.8%	-

Return for Risk

FTC vs. CIBR — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTC

FTC Risk / Return Rank: 50
FTC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
FTC Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
FTC Omega Ratio Rank: 42
FTC Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
FTC Martin Ratio Rank: 61

CIBR

CIBR Risk / Return Rank: 17
CIBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
CIBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
CIBR Omega Ratio Rank: 18
CIBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
CIBR 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.

FTC vs. CIBR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FTC) 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.

	FTC	CIBR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.38	0.56	+0.82
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.93	0.94	+0.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.12	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.64	0.64	+2.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.88	1.48	+8.40

FTC vs. CIBR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTC Sharpe Ratio is 1.38, which is higher than the CIBR Sharpe Ratio of 0.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTC 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

FTC vs. CIBR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTC drawdown since its inception was -54.05%, which is greater than CIBR's maximum drawdown of -33.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTC and CIBR.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTC	CIBR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.05%	-33.89%	-20.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.36%	-21.99%	+11.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.41%	-21.99%	+0.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.18%	-33.89%	+2.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.66%	-33.89%	-0.77%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.23%	-11.15%	+7.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.30%	-8.66%	-0.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.76%	9.54%	-6.78%

Volatility

FTC vs. CIBR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FTC) is 9.27%, while First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) has a volatility of 11.76%. This indicates that FTC 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

	FTC	CIBR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.27%	11.76%	-2.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.09%	21.53%	-5.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.85%	25.15%	-5.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.18%	25.07%	-4.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.60%	23.59%	-2.99%

FTC vs. CIBR - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both FTC and CIBR have an expense ratio of 0.60%.

Dividends

FTC vs. CIBR - Dividend Comparison

FTC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.18%, less than CIBR's 0.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CIBR First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF	0.49%	0.42%	0.29%	0.42%	0.31%	0.59%	1.10%	0.23%	0.23%	0.10%	0.77%	0.58%
FTC First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	0.18%	0.20%	0.32%	0.65%	0.90%	0.00%	0.40%	0.64%	0.35%	0.40%	0.86%	0.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTC and CIBR in my portfolio?

FTC and CIBR have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTC or CIBR?

CIBR has higher volatility (11.76%) compared to FTC (9.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTC dropped -54.05% vs CIBR's -33.89%.

Which ETF is better, FTC or CIBR?

On 10-year performance, CIBR leads with 17.88% vs 15.09% for FTC. Both ETFs have the same 0.60% expense ratio. On volatility, FTC has been the lower-risk option at 9.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTC or CIBR?

Over the 10-year period, CIBR has performed better with a 17.88% return vs 15.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTC or CIBR?

FTC and CIBR have the same expense ratio: 0.60% per year.

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

CIBR has the higher dividend yield at 0.49%, compared with 0.18% for FTC.

What is the main difference between FTC and CIBR?

FTC is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while CIBR is Cybersecurity. FTC tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Growth Index, while CIBR tracks Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.38 vs 0.56), 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.