NXTG vs. CIBR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NXTG (First Trust IndXX NextG ETF) and CIBR (First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF) are both Technology Equities funds from First Trust - NXTG tracks the Indxx 5G & NextG Thematic Index while CIBR tracks the Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, NXTG returned 17.94%/yr vs 18.49%/yr for CIBR. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NXTG charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for CIBR.

Performance

NXTG vs. CIBR - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NXTG achieves a 54.54% return, which is significantly higher than CIBR's 28.52% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with NXTG having a 17.94% annualized return and CIBR not far ahead at 18.49%.

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%

CIBR

• 1D: -2.81%
• 1M: 31.43%
• YTD: 28.52%
• 6M: 24.03%
• 1Y: 25.78%
• 3Y*: 28.32%
• 5Y*: 16.28%
• 10Y*: 18.49%

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

NXTG vs. CIBR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NXTG First Trust IndXX NextG ETF	54.54%	28.46%	12.85%	28.74%	-24.70%	21.81%	27.58%	29.58%	-17.25%	28.02%
CIBR First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF	28.52%	13.06%	18.21%	39.71%	-26.46%	19.67%	50.53%	28.52%	1.47%	18.61%

Correlation

The correlation between NXTG and CIBR is 0.50, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 8, 2015	0.63

The correlation between NXTG and CIBR shifts across timeframes, from 0.50 (1 year) to 0.67 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

NXTG vs. CIBR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NXTG	CIBR
Technology	66.1%	94.0%
Communication Services	21.7%	2.6%
Real Estate	7.5%	-
Industrials	4.3%	3.5%
Consumer Cyclical	0.4%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

NXTG vs. CIBR — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

CIBR

CIBR Risk / Return Rank: 26
CIBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
CIBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
CIBR Omega Ratio Rank: 29
CIBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
CIBR Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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. CIBR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) 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.

	NXTG	CIBR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.52	1.06	+3.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.69	1.56	+4.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.77	1.20	+0.57
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.10	1.18	+6.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	31.73	2.79	+28.94
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NXTG vs. CIBR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NXTG Sharpe Ratio is 4.52, which is higher than the CIBR Sharpe Ratio of 1.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NXTG 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

	NXTG	CIBR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.52	1.06	+3.46
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.08	0.66	+0.42
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95	0.79	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.67	+0.02

Drawdowns

NXTG vs. CIBR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NXTG drawdown since its inception was -33.61%, roughly equal to the maximum CIBR drawdown of -33.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NXTG and CIBR.

Drawdown Indicators

	NXTG	CIBR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.61%	-33.89%	+0.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.28%	-21.99%	+11.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.75%	-21.99%	+4.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.61%	-33.89%	+0.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.61%	-33.89%	+0.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.82%	-2.81%	+1.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.87%	-8.66%	+0.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.62%	9.25%	-6.63%

Volatility

NXTG vs. CIBR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) is 8.27%, while First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) has a volatility of 10.90%. This indicates that NXTG 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

	NXTG	CIBR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.27%	10.90%	-2.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.26%	20.90%	-5.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.44%	24.50%	-6.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.93%	24.95%	-7.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.88%	23.60%	-4.72%

NXTG vs. CIBR - Expense Ratio Comparison

NXTG has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than CIBR's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

NXTG vs. CIBR - Dividend Comparison

NXTG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.11%, more than CIBR's 0.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CIBR First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF	0.45%	0.42%	0.29%	0.42%	0.31%	0.59%	1.10%	0.23%	0.23%	0.10%	0.77%	0.58%
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 NXTG and CIBR in my portfolio?

NXTG and CIBR 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.

Which is riskier, NXTG or CIBR?

CIBR has higher volatility (10.90%) compared to NXTG (8.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NXTG dropped -33.61% vs CIBR's -33.89%.

Which ETF is better, NXTG or CIBR?

On 10-year performance, CIBR leads with 18.49% vs 17.94% for NXTG. On fees, CIBR is cheaper at 0.60% 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, NXTG or CIBR?

Over the 10-year period, CIBR has performed better with a 18.49% return vs 17.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NXTG or CIBR?

CIBR is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for NXTG.

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

NXTG has the higher dividend yield at 1.11%, compared with 0.45% for CIBR.

What is the main difference between NXTG and CIBR?

NXTG tracks Indxx 5G & NextG Thematic Index, while CIBR tracks Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for NXTG and 0.60% for CIBR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NXTG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.52 vs 1.06), 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.