NXTG vs. TCAI

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

NXTG (First Trust IndXX NextG ETF) and TCAI (Tortoise AI Infrastructure ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NXTG is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Indxx 5G & NextG Thematic Index, while TCAI is a Artificial Intelligence fund actively managed by Tortoise. NXTG is passively managed, while TCAI is actively managed. Their 0.80 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. NXTG charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for TCAI.

Performance

NXTG vs. TCAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) and Tortoise AI Infrastructure ETF (TCAI). 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 lower than TCAI's 55.27% 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%

TCAI

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: -7.41%
• 6M: 37.28%
• YTD: 55.27%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

*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)
NXTG First Trust IndXX NextG ETF	$1.58M	$1.75M	$2.16M
TCAI Tortoise AI Infrastructure ETF	$4.79M	$5.54M	$6.96M

NXTG vs. TCAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
NXTG First Trust IndXX NextG ETF	35.27%	12.09%
TCAI Tortoise AI Infrastructure ETF	55.27%	17.27%

Correlation

The correlation between NXTG and TCAI is 0.80, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 5, 2025	0.80

NXTG vs. TCAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NXTG	TCAI
Technology	64.5%	44.4%
Communication Services	22.2%	2.2%
Industrials	6.5%	30.5%
Real Estate	6.4%	0.6%
Consumer Cyclical	0.5%	2.1%
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	3.9%
Financial Services	-	7.2%
Healthcare	-	-
Utilities	-	9.8%

Return for Risk

NXTG vs. TCAI — 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

TCAI

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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. TCAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) and Tortoise AI Infrastructure ETF (TCAI). 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	TCAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.02	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.44	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.87	—	—

Drawdowns

NXTG vs. TCAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NXTG drawdown since its inception was -33.61%, which is greater than TCAI's maximum drawdown of -28.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NXTG and TCAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	NXTG	TCAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.61%	-28.82%	-4.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.41%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.75%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.61%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.61%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.19%	-20.91%	+7.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.93%	-4.71%	-3.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.87%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	NXTG	TCAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.84%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.89%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.42%	41.71%	-19.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.80%	41.71%	-22.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.12%	41.71%	-22.59%

NXTG vs. TCAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

NXTG has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than TCAI's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

NXTG vs. TCAI - Dividend Comparison

NXTG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.27%, more than TCAI's 0.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
TCAI Tortoise AI Infrastructure ETF	0.03%	0.05%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NXTG and TCAI in my portfolio?

NXTG and TCAI have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, NXTG or TCAI?

On fees, TCAI is cheaper at 0.65% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, NXTG or TCAI?

TCAI is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for NXTG.

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

NXTG has the higher dividend yield at 1.27%, compared with 0.03% for TCAI.

What is the main difference between NXTG and TCAI?

NXTG is categorized as Technology Equities, while TCAI is Artificial Intelligence. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Tortoise. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for NXTG and 0.65% for TCAI.