NXTG vs. AIRR

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

NXTG (First Trust IndXX NextG ETF) and AIRR (First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NXTG is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Indxx 5G & NextG Thematic Index, while AIRR is a Building & Construction fund tracking the Richard Bernstein Advisors American Industrial Renaissance Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, NXTG returned 17.41%/yr vs 22.05%/yr for AIRR. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NXTG charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for AIRR.

Performance

NXTG vs. AIRR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) and First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NXTG achieves a 43.67% return, which is significantly higher than AIRR's 31.81% return. Over the past 10 years, NXTG has underperformed AIRR with an annualized return of 17.41%, while AIRR has yielded a comparatively higher 22.05% annualized return.

NXTG

• 1D: -3.56%
• 1M: 3.06%
• YTD: 43.67%
• 6M: 43.68%
• 1Y: 65.86%
• 3Y*: 32.64%
• 5Y*: 17.55%
• 10Y*: 17.41%

AIRR

• 1D: -2.80%
• 1M: 3.57%
• YTD: 31.81%
• 6M: 27.48%
• 1Y: 63.63%
• 3Y*: 36.68%
• 5Y*: 25.97%
• 10Y*: 22.05%

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

NXTG vs. AIRR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NXTG First Trust IndXX NextG ETF	43.67%	28.46%	12.85%	28.74%	-24.70%	21.81%	27.58%	29.58%	-17.25%	28.02%
AIRR First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF	31.81%	27.92%	33.45%	31.43%	-2.08%	33.01%	17.17%	33.97%	-20.57%	16.28%

Correlation

The correlation between NXTG and AIRR 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	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 11, 2014	0.58

The correlation between NXTG and AIRR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.58 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.

NXTG vs. AIRR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NXTG	AIRR
Technology	71.2%	0.7%
Communication Services	18.1%	-
Real Estate	6.2%	-
Industrials	4.2%	92.4%
Consumer Cyclical	0.4%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	3.8%
Financial Services	-	6.9%
Healthcare	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

NXTG vs. AIRR — Risk / Return Rank

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

NXTG

NXTG Risk / Return Rank: 91
NXTG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
NXTG Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
NXTG Omega Ratio Rank: 90
NXTG Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
NXTG Martin Ratio Rank: 92

AIRR

AIRR Risk / Return Rank: 79
AIRR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
AIRR Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
AIRR Omega Ratio Rank: 67
AIRR Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
AIRR Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

NXTG vs. AIRR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) and First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR). 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	AIRR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.10	2.43	+0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.78	3.13	+0.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.54	1.38	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.78	4.89	+0.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.26	17.83	+3.43

NXTG vs. AIRR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NXTG Sharpe Ratio is 3.10, which is comparable to the AIRR Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NXTG and AIRR, 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

NXTG vs. AIRR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NXTG drawdown since its inception was -33.61%, smaller than the maximum AIRR drawdown of -42.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NXTG and AIRR.

Drawdown Indicators

	NXTG	AIRR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.61%	-42.37%	+8.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.45%	-13.09%	+1.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.75%	-27.95%	+10.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.61%	-27.95%	-5.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.61%	-42.37%	+8.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.80%	-2.80%	-5.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.91%	-7.47%	-0.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.11%	3.58%	-0.47%

Volatility

NXTG vs. AIRR - Volatility Comparison

First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) has a higher volatility of 12.89% compared to First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (AIRR) at 8.80%. This indicates that NXTG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AIRR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NXTG	AIRR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.89%	8.80%	+4.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.74%	20.63%	-1.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.37%	26.40%	-5.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.57%	25.45%	-6.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.11%	26.33%	-7.22%

NXTG vs. AIRR - Expense Ratio Comparison

NXTG has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than AIRR's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

NXTG vs. AIRR - Dividend Comparison

NXTG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.19%, more than AIRR's 0.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIRR First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF	0.13%	0.19%	0.18%	0.23%	0.12%	0.05%	0.10%	0.20%	0.43%	0.30%	0.08%	0.47%
NXTG First Trust IndXX NextG ETF	1.19%	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 NXTG and AIRR in my portfolio?

NXTG and AIRR 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.

Which is riskier, NXTG or AIRR?

NXTG has higher volatility (12.89%) compared to AIRR (8.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NXTG dropped -33.61% vs AIRR's -42.37%.

Which ETF is better, NXTG or AIRR?

On 10-year performance, AIRR leads with 22.05% vs 17.41% for NXTG. On fees, AIRR is cheaper at 0.69% per year. On volatility, AIRR has been the lower-risk option at 8.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NXTG or AIRR?

Over the 10-year period, AIRR has performed better with a 22.05% return vs 17.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NXTG or AIRR?

AIRR is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for NXTG.

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

NXTG has the higher dividend yield at 1.19%, compared with 0.13% for AIRR.

What is the main difference between NXTG and AIRR?

NXTG is categorized as Technology Equities, while AIRR is Building & Construction. NXTG tracks Indxx 5G & NextG Thematic Index, while AIRR tracks Richard Bernstein Advisors American Industrial Renaissance Index. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for NXTG and 0.69% for AIRR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NXTG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.10 vs 2.43), 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.