NXTG vs. IAK

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

NXTG (First Trust IndXX NextG ETF) and IAK (iShares U.S. Insurance ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NXTG is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Indxx 5G & NextG Thematic Index, while IAK is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, NXTG returned 15.74%/yr vs 13.18%/yr for IAK. Their 0.45 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. NXTG charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for IAK.

Performance

NXTG vs. IAK - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NXTG achieves a 37.05% return, which is significantly higher than IAK's 10.11% return. Over the past 10 years, NXTG has outperformed IAK with an annualized return of 15.74%, while IAK has yielded a comparatively lower 13.18% annualized return.

NXTG

• 1D: 1.31%
• 1M: -0.84%
• 6M: 29.00%
• YTD: 37.05%
• 1Y: 55.57%
• 3Y*: 29.94%
• 5Y*: 15.70%
• 10Y*: 15.74%
• ALL TIME*: 12.30%

IAK

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: -0.03%
• 6M: 12.56%
• YTD: 10.11%
• 1Y: 19.67%
• 3Y*: 19.67%
• 5Y*: 15.99%
• 10Y*: 13.18%
• ALL TIME*: 7.39%

*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)
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF	$15.27M	$20.59M	$12.29M
NXTG First Trust IndXX NextG ETF	$1.39M	$1.77M	$2.19M

NXTG vs. IAK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NXTG First Trust IndXX NextG ETF	37.05%	28.46%	12.85%	28.74%	-24.70%	21.81%	27.58%	29.58%	-17.25%	28.02%
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF	10.11%	9.50%	28.25%	11.28%	11.33%	26.84%	-2.86%	25.94%	-11.48%	14.18%

Correlation

The correlation between NXTG and IAK is -0.18, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.18
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.09
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.28
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 18, 2011	0.45

The correlation between NXTG and IAK shifts across timeframes, from -0.18 (1 year) to 0.45 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

NXTG vs. IAK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NXTG	IAK
Technology	64.5%	-
Communication Services	22.2%	-
Industrials	6.5%	-
Real Estate	6.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.5%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	99.3%
Healthcare	-	0.7%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

NXTG vs. IAK — Risk / Return Rank

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

NXTG

NXTG Risk / Return Rank: 88
NXTG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
NXTG Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
NXTG Omega Ratio Rank: 89
NXTG Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
NXTG Martin Ratio Rank: 81

IAK

IAK Risk / Return Rank: 54
IAK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
IAK Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
IAK Omega Ratio Rank: 47
IAK Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
IAK Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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. IAK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) and iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK). 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	IAK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.49	1.24	+1.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.14	1.81	+1.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.22	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.62	2.59	+1.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.31	6.29	+5.01

NXTG vs. IAK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NXTG Sharpe Ratio is 2.49, which is higher than the IAK Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NXTG and IAK, 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. IAK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NXTG drawdown since its inception was -33.61%, smaller than the maximum IAK drawdown of -77.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NXTG and IAK.

Drawdown Indicators

	NXTG	IAK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.61%	-77.38%	+43.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.41%	-7.62%	-7.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.75%	-11.58%	-6.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.61%	-14.76%	-18.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.61%	-44.95%	+11.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.05%	-3.20%	-8.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.93%	-16.01%	+8.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.93%	3.13%	+1.80%

Volatility

NXTG vs. IAK - Volatility Comparison

First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) has a higher volatility of 6.92% compared to iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK) at 6.56%. This indicates that NXTG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NXTG	IAK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.92%	6.56%	+0.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.85%	12.42%	+7.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.45%	15.99%	+6.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.80%	18.13%	+0.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.13%	20.92%	-1.79%

NXTG vs. IAK - Expense Ratio Comparison

NXTG has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than IAK's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

NXTG vs. IAK - Dividend Comparison

NXTG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.26%, less than IAK's 2.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IAK iShares U.S. Insurance ETF	2.42%	1.69%	1.49%	1.44%	1.69%	2.26%	2.07%	1.84%	2.33%	1.62%	1.68%	1.62%
NXTG First Trust IndXX NextG ETF	1.26%	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 IAK in my portfolio?

NXTG and IAK have a correlation of -0.18, 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 IAK?

NXTG has higher volatility (6.92%) compared to IAK (6.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NXTG dropped -33.61% vs IAK's -77.38%.

Which ETF is better, NXTG or IAK?

On 10-year performance, NXTG leads with 15.74% vs 13.18% for IAK. On fees, IAK is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, IAK has been the lower-risk option at 6.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NXTG or IAK?

Over the 10-year period, NXTG has performed better with a 15.74% return vs 13.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NXTG or IAK?

IAK is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for NXTG.

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

IAK has the higher dividend yield at 2.42%, compared with 1.26% for NXTG.

What is the main difference between NXTG and IAK?

NXTG is categorized as Technology Equities, while IAK is Financials Equities. NXTG tracks Indxx 5G & NextG Thematic Index, while IAK tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for NXTG and 0.38% for IAK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NXTG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 1.24), 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.