IDRV vs. NXTG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IDRV (iShares Self-Driving EV and Tech ETF) and NXTG (First Trust IndXX NextG ETF) are both Technology Equities funds - IDRV tracks the NYSE FactSet Global Autonomous Driving and Electric Vehicle Index while NXTG tracks the Indxx 5G & NextG Thematic Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IDRV returned -0.25%/yr vs 19.17%/yr for NXTG. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IDRV charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for NXTG.

Performance

IDRV vs. NXTG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Self-Driving EV and Tech ETF (IDRV) and First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IDRV achieves a 17.17% return, which is significantly lower than NXTG's 54.54% return.

IDRV

• 1D: -2.29%
• 1M: 3.06%
• YTD: 17.17%
• 6M: 18.17%
• 1Y: 49.83%
• 3Y*: 7.75%
• 5Y*: -0.25%
• 10Y*: —

NXTG

• 1D: -0.82%
• 1M: 22.84%
• YTD: 54.54%
• 6M: 55.39%
• 1Y: 82.82%
• 3Y*: 35.56%
• 5Y*: 19.17%
• 10Y*: 17.94%

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

IDRV vs. NXTG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
IDRV iShares Self-Driving EV and Tech ETF	17.17%	32.24%	-16.05%	7.83%	-36.37%	26.99%	59.46%	7.24%
NXTG First Trust IndXX NextG ETF	54.54%	28.46%	12.85%	28.74%	-24.70%	21.81%	27.58%	7.78%

Correlation

The correlation between IDRV and NXTG is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 22, 2019	0.80

The correlation between IDRV and NXTG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

IDRV vs. NXTG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IDRV	NXTG
Consumer Cyclical	55.0%	0.4%
Industrials	24.8%	4.3%
Basic Materials	18.5%	-
Technology	1.7%	66.1%
Communication Services	-	21.7%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	7.5%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IDRV vs. NXTG — Risk / Return Rank

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

IDRV

IDRV Risk / Return Rank: 63
IDRV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
IDRV Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
IDRV Omega Ratio Rank: 54
IDRV Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
IDRV Martin Ratio Rank: 70

NXTG

NXTG Risk / Return Rank: 96
NXTG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
NXTG Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
NXTG Omega Ratio Rank: 96
NXTG Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
NXTG Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

IDRV vs. NXTG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Self-Driving EV and Tech ETF (IDRV) and First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG). 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.

	IDRV	NXTG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.02	4.52	-2.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.62	5.69	-3.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.77	-0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.97	8.10	-4.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.15	31.73	-18.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IDRV vs. NXTG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IDRV Sharpe Ratio is 2.02, which is lower than the NXTG Sharpe Ratio of 4.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IDRV and NXTG, 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

	IDRV	NXTG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.02	4.52	-2.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.01	1.08	-1.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.95	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.69	-0.34

Drawdowns

IDRV vs. NXTG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IDRV drawdown since its inception was -53.00%, which is greater than NXTG's maximum drawdown of -33.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IDRV and NXTG.

Drawdown Indicators

	IDRV	NXTG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.00%	-33.61%	-19.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.62%	-10.28%	-2.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-44.00%	-17.75%	-26.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-53.00%	-33.61%	-19.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.79%	-0.82%	-12.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.38%	-7.87%	-14.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.80%	2.62%	+1.18%

Volatility

IDRV vs. NXTG - Volatility Comparison

iShares Self-Driving EV and Tech ETF (IDRV) has a higher volatility of 9.41% compared to First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) at 8.27%. This indicates that IDRV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NXTG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IDRV	NXTG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.41%	8.27%	+1.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.86%	15.26%	+3.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.81%	18.44%	+6.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.70%	17.93%	+9.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.09%	18.88%	+9.21%

IDRV vs. NXTG - Expense Ratio Comparison

IDRV has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is lower than NXTG's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

IDRV vs. NXTG - Dividend Comparison

IDRV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.45%, more than NXTG's 1.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IDRV iShares Self-Driving EV and Tech ETF	1.45%	1.70%	2.68%	2.17%	2.29%	1.12%	0.69%	1.29%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NXTG First Trust IndXX NextG ETF	1.11%	1.56%	1.51%	2.15%	2.04%	1.97%	1.04%	0.77%	1.27%	1.65%	1.23%	1.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IDRV and NXTG in my portfolio?

IDRV and NXTG have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IDRV or NXTG?

IDRV has higher volatility (9.41%) compared to NXTG (8.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IDRV dropped -53.00% vs NXTG's -33.61%.

Which ETF is better, IDRV or NXTG?

On 5-year performance, NXTG leads with 19.17% vs -0.25% for IDRV. On fees, IDRV is cheaper at 0.48% per year. On volatility, NXTG has been the lower-risk option at 8.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IDRV or NXTG?

Over the 5-year period, NXTG has performed better with a 19.17% return vs -0.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IDRV or NXTG?

IDRV is cheaper with a 0.48% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for NXTG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IDRV or NXTG?

IDRV has the higher dividend yield at 1.45%, compared with 1.11% for NXTG.

What is the main difference between IDRV and NXTG?

IDRV tracks NYSE FactSet Global Autonomous Driving and Electric Vehicle Index, while NXTG tracks Indxx 5G & NextG Thematic Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for IDRV and 0.70% for NXTG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NXTG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.52 vs 2.02), 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.