NXTG vs. ICLN

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

NXTG (First Trust IndXX NextG ETF) and ICLN (iShares Global Clean Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NXTG is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Indxx 5G & NextG Thematic Index, while ICLN is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Clean Energy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, NXTG returned 18.04%/yr vs 12.30%/yr for ICLN. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NXTG charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for ICLN.

Performance

NXTG vs. ICLN - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NXTG achieves a 55.82% return, which is significantly higher than ICLN's 44.55% return. Over the past 10 years, NXTG has outperformed ICLN with an annualized return of 18.04%, while ICLN has yielded a comparatively lower 12.30% annualized return.

NXTG

• 1D: 2.85%
• 1M: 23.47%
• YTD: 55.82%
• 6M: 57.49%
• 1Y: 85.72%
• 3Y*: 35.94%
• 5Y*: 19.71%
• 10Y*: 18.04%

ICLN

• 1D: 3.08%
• 1M: 13.37%
• YTD: 44.55%
• 6M: 43.15%
• 1Y: 92.13%
• 3Y*: 9.95%
• 5Y*: 2.87%
• 10Y*: 12.30%

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

NXTG vs. ICLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NXTG First Trust IndXX NextG ETF	55.82%	28.46%	12.85%	28.74%	-24.70%	21.81%	27.58%	29.58%	-17.25%	28.02%
ICLN iShares Global Clean Energy ETF	44.55%	47.05%	-25.72%	-20.41%	-5.43%	-24.18%	141.82%	44.36%	-9.03%	21.47%

Correlation

The correlation between NXTG and ICLN is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 22, 2011	0.59

The correlation between NXTG and ICLN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.59 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

NXTG vs. ICLN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NXTG	ICLN
Technology	66.1%	11.1%
Communication Services	21.7%	-
Real Estate	7.5%	-
Industrials	4.3%	27.8%
Consumer Cyclical	0.4%	0.1%
Basic Materials	-	1.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	26.4%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Utilities	-	32.8%

Return for Risk

NXTG vs. ICLN — 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: 96

ICLN

ICLN Risk / Return Rank: 91
ICLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
ICLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
ICLN Omega Ratio Rank: 84
ICLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
ICLN Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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. ICLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) and iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN). 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	ICLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	4.68	3.54	+1.15
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.85	4.18	+1.67
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.80	1.52	+0.28
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.51	8.11	+0.40
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	33.39	23.13	+10.26
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. ICLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NXTG Sharpe Ratio is 4.68, which is higher than the ICLN Sharpe Ratio of 3.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NXTG and ICLN, 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	ICLN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.68	3.54	+1.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.10	0.11	+1.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96	0.45	+0.50
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	-0.07	+0.77

Drawdowns

NXTG vs. ICLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NXTG drawdown since its inception was -33.61%, smaller than the maximum ICLN drawdown of -87.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NXTG and ICLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	NXTG	ICLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.61%	-87.15%	+53.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.28%	-11.22%	+0.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.75%	-43.18%	+25.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.61%	-57.16%	+23.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.61%	-66.75%	+33.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-35.33%	+35.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.88%	-66.62%	+58.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.62%	3.93%	-1.31%

Volatility

NXTG vs. ICLN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) is 8.17%, while iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) has a volatility of 9.01%. This indicates that NXTG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ICLN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NXTG	ICLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.17%	9.01%	-0.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.22%	20.18%	-4.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.42%	26.22%	-7.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.93%	27.19%	-9.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.88%	27.19%	-8.31%

NXTG vs. ICLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

NXTG has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than ICLN's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

NXTG vs. ICLN - Dividend Comparison

NXTG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.10%, less than ICLN's 1.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ICLN iShares Global Clean Energy ETF	1.13%	1.63%	1.85%	1.59%	0.89%	1.18%	0.34%	1.36%	2.77%	2.49%	3.88%	2.36%
NXTG First Trust IndXX NextG ETF	1.10%	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 ICLN in my portfolio?

NXTG and ICLN have a correlation of 0.62, 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 ICLN?

ICLN has higher volatility (9.01%) compared to NXTG (8.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NXTG dropped -33.61% vs ICLN's -87.15%.

Which ETF is better, NXTG or ICLN?

On 10-year performance, NXTG leads with 18.04% vs 12.30% for ICLN. On fees, ICLN is cheaper at 0.46% per year. On volatility, NXTG has been the lower-risk option at 8.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NXTG or ICLN?

Over the 10-year period, NXTG has performed better with a 18.04% return vs 12.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NXTG or ICLN?

ICLN is cheaper with a 0.46% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for NXTG.

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

ICLN has the higher dividend yield at 1.13%, compared with 1.10% for NXTG.

What is the main difference between NXTG and ICLN?

NXTG is categorized as Technology Equities, while ICLN is Alternative Energy Equities. NXTG tracks Indxx 5G & NextG Thematic Index, while ICLN tracks S&P Global Clean Energy Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for NXTG and 0.46% for ICLN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NXTG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.68 vs 3.54), 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.