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NXTG vs. TRFK
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

NXTG vs. TRFK

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

NXTG (First Trust IndXX NextG ETF) and TRFK (Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF) are both Technology Equities funds - NXTG tracks the Indxx 5G & NextG Thematic Index while TRFK tracks the Pacer Data Transmission and Communication Revolution Index - Benchmark TR Net. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, NXTG returned 28.09%/yr vs 39.62%/yr for TRFK. Their correlation of 0.81 means they have usually moved in the same direction. NXTG charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for TRFK.

Performance

NXTG vs. TRFK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) and Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NXTG achieves a 35.27% return, which is significantly lower than TRFK's 39.17% 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%

TRFK

1D
0.48%
1M
-7.73%
6M
37.75%
YTD
39.17%
1Y
47.45%
3Y*
39.62%
5Y*
—
10Y*
—
ALL TIME*
36.56%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

NXTG

First Trust IndXX NextG ETF
$1.58M$1.75M$2.16M

TRFK

Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF
$17.52M$18.57M$19.27M

NXTG vs. TRFK - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022
NXTG
First Trust IndXX NextG ETF		35.27%28.46%12.85%28.74%-11.36%
TRFK
Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF		39.17%26.81%38.30%66.63%-10.61%

Correlation

The correlation between NXTG and TRFK is 0.85, 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.

0.85

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.79

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 9, 2022

0.81

The correlation between NXTG and TRFK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

NXTG vs. TRFK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
NXTG
TRFK

Technology

64.5%
87.4%

Communication Services

22.2%
0.6%

Industrials

6.5%
12.0%

Real Estate

6.4%
0.0%

Consumer Cyclical

0.5%

-

Basic Materials

-

0.9%

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Technology

NXTG
64.5%
TRFK
87.4%

Communication Services

NXTG
22.2%
TRFK
0.6%

Industrials

NXTG
6.5%
TRFK
12.0%

Real Estate

NXTG
6.4%
TRFK
0.0%

Consumer Cyclical

NXTG
0.5%
TRFK

-

Basic Materials

NXTG

-

TRFK
0.9%

Consumer Defensive

NXTG

-

TRFK

-

Energy

NXTG

-

TRFK

-

Financial Services

NXTG

-

TRFK

-

Healthcare

NXTG

-

TRFK

-

Utilities

NXTG

-

TRFK

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

First Trust IndXX NextG ETF

Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF

Often compared with NXTG:
NXTG vs. WUGINXTG vs. ROBTNXTG vs. XLKNXTG vs. VOONXTG vs. IXCNXTG vs. XLCNXTG vs. FTEC
Often compared with TRFK:
TRFK vs. FDTXTRFK vs. DTCRTRFK vs. IDGTTRFK vs. FRATRFK vs. PRNTRFK vs. SPYGTRFK vs. VRGWX

Return for Risk

NXTG vs. TRFK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
NXTG
NXTG Risk / Return Rank: 8787
Overall Rank
NXTG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9292
Sharpe Ratio Rank
NXTG Sortino Ratio Rank: 8888
Sortino Ratio Rank
NXTG Omega Ratio Rank: 8989
Omega Ratio Rank
NXTG Calmar Ratio Rank: 8787
Calmar Ratio Rank
NXTG Martin Ratio Rank: 8282
Martin Ratio Rank
TRFK
TRFK Risk / Return Rank: 4646
Overall Rank
TRFK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4848
Sharpe Ratio Rank
TRFK Sortino Ratio Rank: 4747
Sortino Ratio Rank
TRFK Omega Ratio Rank: 4747
Omega Ratio Rank
TRFK Calmar Ratio Rank: 4747
Calmar Ratio Rank
TRFK Martin Ratio Rank: 4343
Martin Ratio Rank
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. TRFK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) and Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK). 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.

NXTGTRFKDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.37
1.19

+1.17

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.02
1.70

+1.32

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.41

1.21

+0.19

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.44

1.68

+1.76

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

10.87

4.55

+6.32

NXTG vs. TRFK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NXTG Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is higher than the TRFK Sharpe Ratio of 1.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NXTG and TRFK, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

NXTG vs. TRFK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NXTG drawdown since its inception was -33.61%, which is greater than TRFK's maximum drawdown of -29.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NXTG and TRFK.

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Drawdown Indicators

NXTGTRFKDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-33.61%

-29.06%

-4.55%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-15.41%

-26.17%

+10.76%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.75%

-29.06%

+11.31%

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%

-19.81%

+6.62%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.93%

-6.24%

-1.69%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.87%

9.64%

-4.77%

Volatility

NXTG vs. TRFK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) is 6.84%, while Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK) has a volatility of 17.07%. This indicates that NXTG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TRFK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

NXTGTRFKDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.84%

17.07%

-10.23%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

19.89%

32.10%

-12.21%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

22.42%

36.82%

-14.40%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.80%

30.90%

-12.10%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.12%

30.90%

-11.78%

NXTG vs. TRFK - Expense Ratio Comparison

NXTG has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than TRFK's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

NXTG vs. TRFK - Dividend Comparison

NXTG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.27%, more than TRFK's 0.01% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
TRFK
Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF		0.01%0.01%0.40%0.20%0.56%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

NXTG and TRFK have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

TRFK has higher volatility (17.07%) compared to NXTG (6.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NXTG dropped -33.61% vs TRFK's -29.06%.

On 3-year performance, TRFK leads with 39.62% vs 28.09% for NXTG. On fees, TRFK is cheaper at 0.60% 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.

Over the 3-year period, TRFK has performed better with a 39.62% return vs 28.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

TRFK is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for NXTG.

NXTG has the higher dividend yield at 1.27%, compared with 0.01% for TRFK.

NXTG tracks Indxx 5G & NextG Thematic Index, while TRFK tracks Pacer Data Transmission and Communication Revolution Index - Benchmark TR Net. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for NXTG and 0.60% for TRFK.

NXTG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 1.19), 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.

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