FTGS vs. CIBR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTGS (First Trust Growth Strength ETF) and CIBR (First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTGS is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the The Growth Strength Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while CIBR is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, FTGS returned 18.88%/yr vs 28.32%/yr for CIBR. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.60% expense ratio.

Performance

FTGS vs. CIBR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Growth Strength ETF (FTGS) 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, FTGS achieves a 5.22% return, which is significantly lower than CIBR's 28.52% return.

FTGS

• 1D: -0.75%
• 1M: 3.43%
• YTD: 5.22%
• 6M: 5.10%
• 1Y: 12.55%
• 3Y*: 18.88%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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%

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

FTGS vs. CIBR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
FTGS First Trust Growth Strength ETF	5.22%	12.78%	15.76%	33.69%	1.09%
CIBR First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF	28.52%	13.06%	18.21%	39.71%	-4.79%

Correlation

The correlation between FTGS and CIBR is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 27, 2022	0.73

The correlation between FTGS and CIBR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

FTGS vs. CIBR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTGS	CIBR
Technology	30.6%	94.0%
Healthcare	17.6%	-
Financial Services	16.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	13.6%	-
Industrials	12.3%	3.5%
Communication Services	5.7%	2.6%
Energy	4.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.0%	-
Basic Materials	1.9%	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FTGS vs. CIBR — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTGS

FTGS Risk / Return Rank: 27
FTGS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
FTGS Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
FTGS Omega Ratio Rank: 24
FTGS Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
FTGS Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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

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.

FTGS vs. CIBR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Growth Strength ETF (FTGS) 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.

	FTGS	CIBR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.94	1.06	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.41	1.56	-0.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.20	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.33	1.18	+0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.51	2.79	+1.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTGS vs. CIBR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTGS Sharpe Ratio is 0.94, which is comparable to the CIBR Sharpe Ratio of 1.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTGS 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FTGS	CIBR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94	1.06	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.66	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.79	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.10	0.67	+0.43

Drawdowns

FTGS vs. CIBR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTGS drawdown since its inception was -19.99%, smaller than the maximum CIBR drawdown of -33.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTGS and CIBR.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTGS	CIBR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.99%	-33.89%	+13.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.47%	-21.99%	+12.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.99%	-21.99%	+2.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-33.89%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.66%	-2.81%	+1.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.75%	-8.66%	+5.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.79%	9.25%	-6.46%

Volatility

FTGS vs. CIBR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Growth Strength ETF (FTGS) is 3.33%, while First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) has a volatility of 10.90%. This indicates that FTGS 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

	FTGS	CIBR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.33%	10.90%	-7.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.27%	20.90%	-10.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.45%	24.50%	-11.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.15%	24.95%	-7.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.15%	23.60%	-6.45%

FTGS vs. CIBR - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

FTGS vs. CIBR - Dividend Comparison

FTGS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.09%, less than CIBR's 0.45% 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%
FTGS First Trust Growth Strength ETF	0.09%	0.16%	0.39%	0.62%	0.21%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTGS and CIBR in my portfolio?

FTGS and CIBR have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTGS or CIBR?

CIBR has higher volatility (10.90%) compared to FTGS (3.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTGS dropped -19.99% vs CIBR's -33.89%.

Which ETF is better, FTGS or CIBR?

On 3-year performance, CIBR leads with 28.32% vs 18.88% for FTGS. Both ETFs have the same 0.60% expense ratio. On volatility, FTGS has been the lower-risk option at 3.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTGS or CIBR?

Over the 3-year period, CIBR has performed better with a 28.32% return vs 18.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTGS or CIBR?

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

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

CIBR has the higher dividend yield at 0.45%, compared with 0.09% for FTGS.

What is the main difference between FTGS and CIBR?

FTGS is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while CIBR is Technology Equities. FTGS tracks The Growth Strength Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while CIBR tracks Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CIBR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.06 vs 0.94), 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.