NICO vs. FTXG
NICO (Hexis Active Nicotine Engagement ETF) and FTXG (First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF) are both Consumer Staples Equities funds. NICO is actively managed, while FTXG is passively managed. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NICO charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXG.
Performance
NICO vs. FTXG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
NICO
- 1D
- 0.73%
- 1M
- 2.38%
- 6M
- —
- YTD
- —
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FTXG
- 1D
- 0.75%
- 1M
- 3.33%
- 6M
- 11.13%
- YTD
- 10.07%
- 1Y
- 4.49%
- 3Y*
- -1.16%
- 5Y*
- 0.63%
- 10Y*
- —
NICO vs. FTXG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | |
|---|---|
NICO Hexis Active Nicotine Engagement ETF | 3.40% |
FTXG First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF | 1.89% |
Correlation
The correlation between NICO and FTXG is 0.50, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 6, 2026 | 0.50 |
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Return for Risk
NICO vs. FTXG — Risk / Return Rank
NICO
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
FTXG
NICO vs. FTXG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hexis Active Nicotine Engagement ETF (NICO) and First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF (FTXG). 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.
| NICO | FTXG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.06 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 0.44 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 0.80 | — |
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Drawdowns
NICO vs. FTXG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum NICO drawdown since its inception was -8.00%, smaller than the maximum FTXG drawdown of -31.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NICO and FTXG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| NICO | FTXG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -8.00% | -31.52% | +23.52% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -10.14% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -18.10% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -21.68% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.58% | -11.37% | +7.79% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.86% | -7.69% | +3.83% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 5.63% | — |
Volatility
NICO vs. FTXG - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| NICO | FTXG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 5.42% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 10.66% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.02% | 14.12% | +5.90% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.02% | 14.59% | +5.43% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.02% | 16.64% | +3.38% |
NICO vs. FTXG - Expense Ratio Comparison
NICO has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than FTXG's 0.60% expense ratio.
Dividends
NICO vs. FTXG - Dividend Comparison
NICO has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FTXG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.52%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTXG First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF | 2.52% | 2.93% | 2.75% | 4.27% | 1.50% | 1.52% | 1.35% | 1.25% | 1.37% | 1.56% | 0.30% |
NICO Hexis Active Nicotine Engagement ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
NICO and FTXG have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, FTXG is cheaper at 0.60% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
FTXG is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for NICO.
FTXG has the higher dividend yield at 2.52%, compared with 0.00% for NICO.
They also come from different issuers: Hexis and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for NICO and 0.60% for FTXG.
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