NXTG vs. VGT

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

NXTG (First Trust IndXX NextG ETF) and VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) are both Technology Equities funds - NXTG tracks the Indxx 5G & NextG Thematic Index while VGT 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 24.06%/yr for VGT. Their 0.74 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. NXTG charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VGT.

Performance

NXTG vs. VGT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). 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 VGT's 20.36% return. Over the past 10 years, NXTG has underperformed VGT with an annualized return of 15.78%, while VGT has yielded a comparatively higher 24.06% 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%

VGT

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: -1.30%
• 6M: 21.30%
• YTD: 20.36%
• 1Y: 34.81%
• 3Y*: 26.48%
• 5Y*: 17.81%
• 10Y*: 24.06%
• ALL TIME*: 14.84%

*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
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	$440.89M	$515.41M	$573.34M

NXTG vs. VGT - 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%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	20.36%	21.77%	29.30%	52.66%	-29.70%	30.45%	46.04%	48.62%	2.46%	37.08%

Correlation

The correlation between NXTG and VGT 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 Feb 18, 2011	0.74

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

NXTG vs. VGT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NXTG	VGT
Technology	64.5%	98.6%
Communication Services	22.2%	0.5%
Industrials	6.5%	0.4%
Real Estate	6.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.5%	0.1%
Basic Materials	-	0.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.3%
Financial Services	-	0.5%
Healthcare	-	0.0%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

NXTG vs. VGT — 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

VGT

VGT Risk / Return Rank: 52
VGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
VGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
VGT Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VGT Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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. VGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). 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	VGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	1.31	+1.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.02	1.82	+1.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.23	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.44	1.94	+1.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.87	5.23	+5.64

NXTG vs. VGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

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

The maximum NXTG drawdown since its inception was -33.61%, smaller than the maximum VGT drawdown of -54.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NXTG and VGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	NXTG	VGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.61%	-54.63%	+21.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.41%	-16.40%	+0.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.75%	-27.23%	+9.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.61%	-35.07%	+1.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.61%	-35.07%	+1.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.19%	-9.93%	-3.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.93%	-7.95%	+0.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.87%	6.07%	-1.20%

Volatility

NXTG vs. VGT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) is 6.84%, while Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) has a volatility of 8.42%. This indicates that NXTG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NXTG	VGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.84%	8.42%	-1.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.89%	20.14%	-0.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.42%	24.28%	-1.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.80%	25.83%	-7.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.12%	24.89%	-5.77%

NXTG vs. VGT - Expense Ratio Comparison

NXTG has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than VGT's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

NXTG vs. VGT - Dividend Comparison

NXTG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.27%, more than VGT's 0.38% 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%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	0.38%	0.40%	0.60%	0.65%	0.91%	0.64%	0.82%	1.11%	1.29%	0.99%	1.31%	1.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NXTG and VGT in my portfolio?

NXTG and VGT 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 VGT?

VGT has higher volatility (8.42%) compared to NXTG (6.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NXTG dropped -33.61% vs VGT's -54.63%.

Which ETF is better, NXTG or VGT?

On 10-year performance, VGT leads with 24.06% vs 15.78% for NXTG. On fees, VGT is cheaper at 0.09% 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 VGT?

Over the 10-year period, VGT has performed better with a 24.06% 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 VGT?

VGT is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for NXTG.

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

NXTG has the higher dividend yield at 1.27%, compared with 0.38% for VGT.

What is the main difference between NXTG and VGT?

NXTG tracks Indxx 5G & NextG Thematic Index, while VGT tracks MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for NXTG and 0.09% for VGT.

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.