NXTG.L vs. WSML.L
NXTG.L (First Trust Indxx NextG UCITS ETF USD (Acc)) and WSML.L (iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF USD (Acc)) are both exchange-traded funds - NXTG.L is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Indxx 5G & NextG Thematic Index, while WSML.L is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI World Small Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, NXTG.L returned 8.92%/yr vs 8.05%/yr for WSML.L. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NXTG.L charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for WSML.L.
Performance
NXTG.L vs. WSML.L - Performance Comparison
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Different Trading Currencies
NXTG.L is traded in GBp, while WSML.L is traded in USD. To make them comparable, the WSML.L values have been converted to GBp using the latest available exchange rates.
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, NXTG.L achieves a 33.02% return, which is significantly higher than WSML.L's 13.38% return.
NXTG.L
- 1D
- -1.06%
- 1M
- -8.46%
- 6M
- 28.75%
- YTD
- 33.02%
- 1Y
- 48.28%
- 3Y*
- 14.91%
- 5Y*
- 8.92%
- 10Y*
- 6.30%
WSML.L
- 1D
- -1.09%
- 1M
- -3.48%
- 6M
- 6.24%
- YTD
- 13.38%
- 1Y
- 24.41%
- 3Y*
- 13.68%
- 5Y*
- 8.05%
- 10Y*
- —
NXTG.L vs. WSML.L - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NXTG.L First Trust Indxx NextG UCITS ETF USD (Acc) | 33.02% | 19.23% | 14.96% | 0.29% | -24.39% | 15.88% | 4.17% | 8.33% | -13.55% |
WSML.L iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF USD (Acc) | 13.38% | 11.40% | 9.25% | 11.26% | -8.94% | 16.32% | 13.07% | 19.62% | -2.19% |
Correlation
The correlation between NXTG.L and WSML.L is 0.63, 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 | 0.63 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.65 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.57 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2018 | 0.56 |
The correlation between NXTG.L and WSML.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.56 to 0.65 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
NXTG.L vs. WSML.L — Risk / Return Rank
NXTG.L
WSML.L
NXTG.L vs. WSML.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Indxx NextG UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (NXTG.L) and iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (WSML.L). 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.
| NXTG.L | WSML.L | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.66 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.67 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.43 | 1.30 | +0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.89 | 3.08 | -1.18 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.93 | 11.02 | -7.09 |
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Drawdowns
NXTG.L vs. WSML.L - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum NXTG.L drawdown since its inception was -45.94%, which is greater than WSML.L's maximum drawdown of -33.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NXTG.L and WSML.L.
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Drawdown Indicators
| NXTG.L | WSML.L | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -45.94% | -33.63% | -12.31% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -25.38% | -7.90% | -17.48% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -31.89% | -21.49% | -10.40% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -32.91% | -21.49% | -11.42% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -45.94% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -13.62% | -4.17% | -9.45% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -19.85% | -6.35% | -13.50% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 12.24% | 2.21% | +10.03% |
Volatility
NXTG.L vs. WSML.L - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Indxx NextG UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (NXTG.L) has a higher volatility of 6.64% compared to iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (WSML.L) at 4.32%. This indicates that NXTG.L's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than WSML.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| NXTG.L | WSML.L | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.64% | 4.32% | +2.32% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.87% | 11.53% | +4.34% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 46.86% | 14.50% | +32.36% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 43.04% | 16.95% | +26.09% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 32.81% | 18.14% | +14.67% |
NXTG.L vs. WSML.L - Expense Ratio Comparison
NXTG.L has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than WSML.L's 0.35% expense ratio.
Dividends
NXTG.L vs. WSML.L - Dividend Comparison
Neither NXTG.L nor WSML.L has paid dividends to shareholders.
Frequently Asked Questions
NXTG.L and WSML.L have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, WSML.L is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
WSML.L is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for NXTG.L.
NXTG.L is categorized as Technology Equities, while WSML.L is Global Equities. NXTG.L tracks Indxx 5G & NextG Thematic Index, while WSML.L tracks MSCI World Small Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for NXTG.L and 0.35% for WSML.L.
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