NXTG vs. FTEC

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

NXTG (First Trust IndXX NextG ETF) and FTEC (Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF) are both Technology Equities funds - NXTG tracks the Indxx 5G & NextG Thematic Index while FTEC tracks the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, NXTG returned 15.78%/yr vs 23.84%/yr for FTEC. Their 0.74 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. NXTG charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for FTEC.

Performance

NXTG vs. FTEC - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NXTG achieves a 35.27% return, which is significantly higher than FTEC's 20.47% return. Over the past 10 years, NXTG has underperformed FTEC with an annualized return of 15.78%, while FTEC has yielded a comparatively higher 23.84% annualized return.

NXTG

• 1D: -0.65%
• 1M: -2.13%
• 6M: 28.42%
• YTD: 35.27%
• 1Y: 53.55%
• 3Y*: 28.09%
• 5Y*: 15.88%
• 10Y*: 15.78%
• ALL TIME*: 12.21%

FTEC

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: -1.38%
• 6M: 21.39%
• YTD: 20.47%
• 1Y: 35.19%
• 3Y*: 26.88%
• 5Y*: 18.05%
• 10Y*: 23.84%
• ALL TIME*: 21.45%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FTEC Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF	$82.97M	$78.72M	$94.67M
NXTG First Trust IndXX NextG ETF	$1.58M	$1.75M	$2.16M

NXTG vs. FTEC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NXTG First Trust IndXX NextG ETF	35.27%	28.46%	12.85%	28.74%	-24.70%	21.81%	27.58%	29.58%	-17.25%	28.02%
FTEC Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF	20.47%	22.11%	29.40%	53.30%	-29.59%	30.49%	45.83%	48.93%	-0.39%	36.83%

Correlation

The correlation between NXTG and FTEC is 0.86, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2013	0.74

The correlation between NXTG and FTEC shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (all time) to 0.86 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

NXTG vs. FTEC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NXTG	FTEC
Technology	64.5%	98.6%
Communication Services	22.2%	0.5%
Industrials	6.5%	0.3%
Real Estate	6.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.5%	0.1%
Basic Materials	-	0.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.3%
Financial Services	-	0.5%
Healthcare	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

NXTG vs. FTEC — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

NXTG

NXTG Risk / Return Rank: 87
NXTG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
NXTG Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
NXTG Omega Ratio Rank: 89
NXTG Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
NXTG Martin Ratio Rank: 82

FTEC

FTEC Risk / Return Rank: 52
FTEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
FTEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
FTEC Omega Ratio Rank: 51
FTEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
FTEC Martin Ratio Rank: 47

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

NXTG vs. FTEC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) and Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF (FTEC). 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	FTEC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	1.31	+1.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.02	1.83	+1.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.23	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.44	1.97	+1.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.87	5.31	+5.56

NXTG vs. FTEC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NXTG Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is higher than the FTEC Sharpe Ratio of 1.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NXTG and FTEC, 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. FTEC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NXTG drawdown since its inception was -33.61%, roughly equal to the maximum FTEC drawdown of -34.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NXTG and FTEC.

Drawdown Indicators

	NXTG	FTEC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.61%	-34.95%	+1.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.41%	-16.26%	+0.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.75%	-27.30%	+9.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.61%	-34.95%	+1.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.61%	-34.95%	+1.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.19%	-10.03%	-3.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.93%	-5.59%	-2.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.87%	6.02%	-1.15%

Volatility

NXTG vs. FTEC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) is 6.84%, while Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF (FTEC) has a volatility of 8.49%. This indicates that NXTG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTEC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NXTG	FTEC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.84%	8.49%	-1.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.89%	20.19%	-0.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.42%	24.35%	-1.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.80%	25.87%	-7.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.12%	24.98%	-5.86%

NXTG vs. FTEC - Expense Ratio Comparison

NXTG has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than FTEC's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

NXTG vs. FTEC - Dividend Comparison

NXTG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.27%, more than FTEC's 0.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTEC Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF	0.37%	0.43%	0.49%	0.77%	0.93%	0.63%	0.83%	1.03%	1.20%	0.96%	1.25%	1.27%
NXTG First Trust IndXX NextG ETF	1.27%	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 FTEC in my portfolio?

NXTG and FTEC have a correlation of 0.86, 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 FTEC?

FTEC has higher volatility (8.49%) compared to NXTG (6.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NXTG dropped -33.61% vs FTEC's -34.95%.

Which ETF is better, NXTG or FTEC?

On 10-year performance, FTEC leads with 23.84% vs 15.78% for NXTG. On fees, FTEC is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, NXTG has been the lower-risk option at 6.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NXTG or FTEC?

Over the 10-year period, FTEC has performed better with a 23.84% return vs 15.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NXTG or FTEC?

FTEC is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for NXTG.

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

NXTG has the higher dividend yield at 1.27%, compared with 0.37% for FTEC.

What is the main difference between NXTG and FTEC?

NXTG tracks Indxx 5G & NextG Thematic Index, while FTEC tracks MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Fidelity. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for NXTG and 0.08% for FTEC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NXTG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 1.31), 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.