NXTG vs. EWY

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

NXTG (First Trust IndXX NextG ETF) and EWY (iShares MSCI South Korea ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NXTG is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Indxx 5G & NextG Thematic Index, while EWY is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI Korea Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, NXTG returned 17.48%/yr vs 16.84%/yr for EWY. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NXTG charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for EWY.

Performance

NXTG vs. EWY - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NXTG achieves a 44.90% return, which is significantly lower than EWY's 103.10% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with NXTG having a 17.48% annualized return and EWY not far behind at 16.84%.

NXTG

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: 7.00%
• YTD: 44.90%
• 6M: 46.42%
• 1Y: 67.34%
• 3Y*: 31.56%
• 5Y*: 17.46%
• 10Y*: 17.48%

EWY

• 1D: -0.75%
• 1M: 4.68%
• YTD: 103.10%
• 6M: 117.85%
• 1Y: 198.25%
• 3Y*: 46.46%
• 5Y*: 18.80%
• 10Y*: 16.84%

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

NXTG vs. EWY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NXTG First Trust IndXX NextG ETF	44.90%	28.46%	12.85%	28.74%	-24.70%	21.81%	27.58%	29.58%	-17.25%	28.02%
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	103.10%	95.33%	-20.48%	19.05%	-26.59%	-7.58%	39.43%	7.97%	-20.37%	44.97%

Correlation

The correlation between NXTG and EWY is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 18, 2011	0.65

The correlation between NXTG and EWY shifts across timeframes, from 0.65 (all time) to 0.75 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

NXTG vs. EWY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NXTG	EWY
Technology	66.1%	52.4%
Communication Services	21.7%	2.9%
Real Estate	7.5%	-
Industrials	4.3%	20.4%
Consumer Cyclical	0.4%	5.7%
Basic Materials	-	2.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	1.7%
Energy	-	1.4%
Financial Services	-	9.6%
Healthcare	-	3.5%
Utilities	-	0.4%

Return for Risk

NXTG vs. EWY — Risk / Return Rank

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

NXTG

NXTG Risk / Return Rank: 93
NXTG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
NXTG Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
NXTG Omega Ratio Rank: 93
NXTG Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
NXTG Martin Ratio Rank: 94

EWY

EWY Risk / Return Rank: 95
EWY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
EWY Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
EWY Omega Ratio Rank: 94
EWY Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
EWY Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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. EWY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) and iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY). 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	EWY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.28	4.29	-1.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.02	4.08	-0.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.59	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.91	8.65	-2.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	22.94	30.24	-7.30

NXTG vs. EWY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NXTG Sharpe Ratio is 3.28, which is comparable to the EWY Sharpe Ratio of 4.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NXTG and EWY, 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. EWY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NXTG drawdown since its inception was -33.61%, smaller than the maximum EWY drawdown of -74.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NXTG and EWY.

Drawdown Indicators

	NXTG	EWY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.61%	-74.14%	+40.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.45%	-23.08%	+11.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.75%	-27.36%	+9.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.61%	-48.55%	+14.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.61%	-49.73%	+16.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.01%	-8.88%	+1.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.91%	-20.11%	+12.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.95%	6.59%	-3.64%

Volatility

NXTG vs. EWY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) is 11.94%, while iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) has a volatility of 25.64%. This indicates that NXTG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EWY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NXTG	EWY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.94%	25.64%	-13.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.01%	42.65%	-24.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.65%	46.51%	-25.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.38%	30.15%	-11.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.08%	28.06%	-8.98%

NXTG vs. EWY - Expense Ratio Comparison

NXTG has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than EWY's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

NXTG vs. EWY - Dividend Comparison

NXTG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.18%, more than EWY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	1.03%	2.10%	2.55%	2.52%	1.23%	2.16%	0.73%	2.10%	1.34%	2.90%	1.21%	2.42%
NXTG First Trust IndXX NextG ETF	1.18%	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 EWY in my portfolio?

NXTG and EWY have a correlation of 0.75, 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 EWY?

EWY has higher volatility (25.64%) compared to NXTG (11.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NXTG dropped -33.61% vs EWY's -74.14%.

Which ETF is better, NXTG or EWY?

On 10-year performance, NXTG leads with 17.48% vs 16.84% for EWY. On fees, EWY is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, NXTG has been the lower-risk option at 11.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NXTG or EWY?

Over the 10-year period, NXTG has performed better with a 17.48% return vs 16.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NXTG or EWY?

EWY is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for NXTG.

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

NXTG has the higher dividend yield at 1.18%, compared with 1.03% for EWY.

What is the main difference between NXTG and EWY?

NXTG is categorized as Technology Equities, while EWY is Asia Pacific Equities. NXTG tracks Indxx 5G & NextG Thematic Index, while EWY tracks MSCI Korea Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for NXTG and 0.59% for EWY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.29 vs 3.28), 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.