HACK vs. CIBR

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

HACK (ETFMG Prime Cyber Security ETF) and CIBR (First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HACK is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Prime Cyber Defense Index, while CIBR is a Cybersecurity fund tracking the Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, HACK returned 15.22%/yr vs 17.73%/yr for CIBR. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. Both charge a 0.60% expense ratio.

Performance

HACK vs. CIBR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ETFMG Prime Cyber Security ETF (HACK) 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 investments are quite close, with HACK having a 21.07% return and CIBR slightly higher at 21.55%. Over the past 10 years, HACK has underperformed CIBR with an annualized return of 15.22%, while CIBR has yielded a comparatively higher 17.73% annualized return.

HACK

• 1D: -3.80%
• 1M: 17.06%
• YTD: 21.07%
• 6M: 15.53%
• 1Y: 15.75%
• 3Y*: 25.54%
• 5Y*: 10.72%
• 10Y*: 15.22%

CIBR

• 1D: -4.41%
• 1M: 23.56%
• YTD: 21.55%
• 6M: 16.15%
• 1Y: 18.97%
• 3Y*: 25.83%
• 5Y*: 14.99%
• 10Y*: 17.73%

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

HACK vs. CIBR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HACK ETFMG Prime Cyber Security ETF	21.07%	7.97%	23.49%	37.44%	-28.16%	7.03%	41.51%	23.39%	6.61%	19.68%
CIBR First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF	21.55%	13.06%	18.21%	39.71%	-26.46%	19.67%	50.53%	28.52%	1.47%	18.61%

Correlation

The correlation between HACK and CIBR is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 8, 2015	0.96

The correlation between HACK and CIBR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

HACK vs. CIBR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HACK	CIBR
Technology	93.0%	94.0%
Industrials	6.9%	3.5%
Financial Services	0.1%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	2.6%
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

HACK vs. CIBR — Risk / Return Rank

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

HACK

HACK Risk / Return Rank: 19
HACK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
HACK Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
HACK Omega Ratio Rank: 20
HACK Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
HACK Martin Ratio Rank: 18

CIBR

CIBR Risk / Return Rank: 22
CIBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
CIBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
CIBR Omega Ratio Rank: 23
CIBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
CIBR Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

HACK vs. CIBR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETFMG Prime Cyber Security ETF (HACK) 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.

	HACK	CIBR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.61	0.77	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.98	1.19	-0.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.15	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.77	0.87	-0.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.84	2.05	-0.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HACK vs. CIBR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HACK Sharpe Ratio is 0.61, which is comparable to the CIBR Sharpe Ratio of 0.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HACK 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

	HACK	CIBR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.61	0.77	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44	0.60	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66	0.75	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.64	-0.09

Drawdowns

HACK vs. CIBR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HACK drawdown since its inception was -42.68%, which is greater than CIBR's maximum drawdown of -33.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HACK and CIBR.

Drawdown Indicators

	HACK	CIBR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.68%	-33.89%	-8.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.67%	-21.99%	+1.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.90%	-21.99%	+0.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.68%	-33.89%	-4.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.68%	-33.89%	-4.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.66%	-8.08%	+0.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.63%	-8.66%	-2.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.60%	9.27%	-0.67%

Volatility

HACK vs. CIBR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ETFMG Prime Cyber Security ETF (HACK) is 11.73%, while First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) has a volatility of 12.36%. This indicates that HACK 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

	HACK	CIBR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.73%	12.36%	-0.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.88%	21.41%	+0.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.76%	24.91%	+0.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.23%	25.02%	-0.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.30%	23.64%	-0.34%

HACK vs. CIBR - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

HACK vs. CIBR - Dividend Comparison

HACK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.06%, less than CIBR's 0.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CIBR First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF	0.47%	0.42%	0.29%	0.42%	0.31%	0.59%	1.10%	0.23%	0.23%	0.10%	0.77%	0.58%
HACK ETFMG Prime Cyber Security ETF	0.06%	0.07%	0.14%	0.20%	0.24%	0.26%	1.11%	0.14%	0.09%	0.01%	1.23%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HACK and CIBR in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, HACK and CIBR move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, HACK or CIBR?

CIBR has higher volatility (12.36%) compared to HACK (11.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HACK dropped -42.68% vs CIBR's -33.89%.

Which ETF is better, HACK or CIBR?

On 10-year performance, CIBR leads with 17.73% vs 15.22% for HACK. Both ETFs have the same 0.60% expense ratio. On volatility, HACK has been the lower-risk option at 11.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HACK or CIBR?

Over the 10-year period, CIBR has performed better with a 17.73% return vs 15.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HACK or CIBR?

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

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

CIBR has the higher dividend yield at 0.47%, compared with 0.06% for HACK.

What is the main difference between HACK and CIBR?

HACK is categorized as Technology Equities, while CIBR is Cybersecurity. HACK tracks Prime Cyber Defense Index, while CIBR tracks Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index. They also come from different issuers: ETFMG and First Trust.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CIBR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.77 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.