FXO vs. CIBR

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FXO (First Trust Financials AlphaDEX Fund) and CIBR (First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FXO is a Financials Equities fund tracking the StrataQuant Financials Index, while CIBR is a Cybersecurity fund tracking the Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FXO returned 13.32%/yr vs 17.93%/yr for CIBR. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FXO charges 0.62%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for CIBR.

Performance

FXO vs. CIBR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Financials AlphaDEX Fund (FXO) 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, FXO achieves a 3.78% return, which is significantly lower than CIBR's 18.06% return. Over the past 10 years, FXO has underperformed CIBR with an annualized return of 13.32%, while CIBR has yielded a comparatively higher 17.93% annualized return.

FXO

• 1D: 1.06%
• 1M: 4.51%
• YTD: 3.78%
• 6M: 1.91%
• 1Y: 16.03%
• 3Y*: 22.20%
• 5Y*: 9.91%
• 10Y*: 13.32%

CIBR

• 1D: 0.75%
• 1M: -0.08%
• YTD: 18.06%
• 6M: 15.86%
• 1Y: 15.20%
• 3Y*: 24.74%
• 5Y*: 12.80%
• 10Y*: 17.93%

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

FXO vs. CIBR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FXO First Trust Financials AlphaDEX Fund	3.78%	13.59%	27.72%	9.28%	-9.24%	37.76%	5.95%	26.31%	-11.72%	17.88%
CIBR First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF	18.06%	13.06%	18.21%	39.71%	-26.46%	19.67%	50.53%	28.52%	1.47%	18.61%

Correlation

The correlation between FXO and CIBR is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 7, 2015	0.51

Over the past year, the correlation between FXO and CIBR has dropped to 0.29 - well below their long-term average of 0.51, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FXO vs. CIBR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FXO	CIBR
Financial Services	94.5%	-
Real Estate	5.0%	-
Technology	0.6%	95.4%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	1.9%
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	2.7%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FXO vs. CIBR — Risk / Return Rank

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

FXO

FXO Risk / Return Rank: 29
FXO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
FXO Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
FXO Omega Ratio Rank: 28
FXO Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
FXO Martin Ratio Rank: 30

CIBR

CIBR Risk / Return Rank: 18
CIBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
CIBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
CIBR Omega Ratio Rank: 19
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.

FXO vs. CIBR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Financials AlphaDEX Fund (FXO) 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.

	FXO	CIBR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.03	0.61	+0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.47	0.99	+0.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.12	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.37	0.69	+0.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.09	1.60	+2.49

FXO vs. CIBR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXO Sharpe Ratio is 1.03, which is higher than the CIBR Sharpe Ratio of 0.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXO 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

FXO vs. CIBR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXO drawdown since its inception was -71.30%, which is greater than CIBR's maximum drawdown of -33.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXO and CIBR.

Drawdown Indicators

	FXO	CIBR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.30%	-33.89%	-37.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.72%	-21.99%	+10.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.35%	-21.99%	+0.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.80%	-33.89%	+5.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.55%	-33.89%	-14.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-10.72%	+10.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.08%	-8.66%	-4.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.93%	9.51%	-5.58%

Volatility

FXO vs. CIBR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Financials AlphaDEX Fund (FXO) is 4.02%, while First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) has a volatility of 12.03%. This indicates that FXO 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

	FXO	CIBR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.02%	12.03%	-8.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.03%	21.54%	-10.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.66%	25.21%	-9.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.86%	25.07%	-3.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.09%	23.60%	+0.49%

FXO vs. CIBR - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXO has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is higher than CIBR's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

FXO vs. CIBR - Dividend Comparison

FXO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.08%, more 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%
FXO First Trust Financials AlphaDEX Fund	2.08%	1.78%	1.97%	2.98%	2.49%	1.91%	2.60%	1.72%	2.60%	1.62%	1.35%	1.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FXO and CIBR in my portfolio?

FXO and CIBR have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FXO or CIBR?

CIBR has higher volatility (12.03%) compared to FXO (4.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXO dropped -71.30% vs CIBR's -33.89%.

Which ETF is better, FXO or CIBR?

On 10-year performance, CIBR leads with 17.93% vs 13.32% for FXO. On fees, CIBR is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FXO has been the lower-risk option at 4.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FXO or CIBR?

Over the 10-year period, CIBR has performed better with a 17.93% return vs 13.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FXO or CIBR?

CIBR is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.62% for FXO.

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

FXO has the higher dividend yield at 2.08%, compared with 0.49% for CIBR.

What is the main difference between FXO and CIBR?

FXO is categorized as Financials Equities, while CIBR is Cybersecurity. FXO tracks StrataQuant Financials Index, while CIBR tracks Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index. Their fees differ too: 0.62% for FXO and 0.60% for CIBR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FXO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.03 vs 0.61), 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.