NXTG vs. XLC

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

NXTG (First Trust IndXX NextG ETF) and XLC (Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - NXTG is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Indxx 5G & NextG Thematic Index, while XLC is a Communications Equities fund tracking the S&P Communication Services Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, NXTG returned 15.88%/yr vs 6.70%/yr for XLC. Their 0.64 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. NXTG charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for XLC.

Performance

NXTG vs. XLC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) and Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC). 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 XLC's -7.52% 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%

XLC

• 1D: 1.56%
• 1M: -1.24%
• 6M: -9.34%
• YTD: -7.52%
• 1Y: 3.28%
• 3Y*: 17.68%
• 5Y*: 6.70%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.13%

*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
XLC Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	$698.01M	$724.28M	$715.77M

NXTG vs. XLC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
NXTG First Trust IndXX NextG ETF	35.27%	28.46%	12.85%	28.74%	-24.70%	21.81%	27.58%	29.58%	-14.56%
XLC Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	-7.52%	23.08%	34.71%	52.82%	-37.63%	15.96%	26.90%	31.05%	-16.45%

Correlation

The correlation between NXTG and XLC is 0.28, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2018	0.64

Over the past year, the correlation between NXTG and XLC has dropped to 0.28 - well below their long-term average of 0.64, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

NXTG vs. XLC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NXTG	XLC
Technology	64.5%	10.5%
Communication Services	22.2%	89.5%
Industrials	6.5%	-
Real Estate	6.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.5%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

NXTG vs. XLC — 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

XLC

XLC Risk / Return Rank: 13
XLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
XLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
XLC Omega Ratio Rank: 13
XLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
XLC Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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. XLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) and Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC). 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	XLC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	0.14	+2.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.02	0.29	+2.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.04	+0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.44	0.17	+3.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.87	0.45	+10.42

NXTG vs. XLC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NXTG Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is higher than the XLC Sharpe Ratio of 0.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NXTG and XLC, 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. XLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NXTG drawdown since its inception was -33.61%, smaller than the maximum XLC drawdown of -46.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NXTG and XLC.

Drawdown Indicators

	NXTG	XLC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.61%	-46.65%	+13.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.41%	-11.73%	-3.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.75%	-17.97%	+0.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.61%	-46.65%	+13.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.61%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.19%	-9.34%	-3.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.93%	-10.54%	+2.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.87%	4.55%	+0.32%

Volatility

NXTG vs. XLC - Volatility Comparison

First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) and Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC) have volatilities of 6.84% and 6.53%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NXTG	XLC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.84%	6.53%	+0.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.89%	11.77%	+8.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.42%	14.79%	+7.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.80%	20.87%	-2.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.12%	22.17%	-3.05%

NXTG vs. XLC - Expense Ratio Comparison

NXTG has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than XLC's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

NXTG vs. XLC - Dividend Comparison

NXTG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.27%, less than XLC's 1.32% 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%
XLC Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	1.32%	1.13%	0.99%	0.82%	1.10%	0.74%	0.68%	0.82%	0.64%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NXTG and XLC in my portfolio?

NXTG and XLC have a correlation of 0.28, 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 XLC?

NXTG has higher volatility (6.84%) compared to XLC (6.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NXTG dropped -33.61% vs XLC's -46.65%.

Which ETF is better, NXTG or XLC?

On 5-year performance, NXTG leads with 15.88% vs 6.70% for XLC. On fees, XLC is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, XLC has been the lower-risk option at 6.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NXTG or XLC?

Over the 5-year period, NXTG has performed better with a 15.88% return vs 6.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NXTG or XLC?

XLC is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for NXTG.

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

XLC has the higher dividend yield at 1.32%, compared with 1.27% for NXTG.

What is the main difference between NXTG and XLC?

NXTG is categorized as Technology Equities, while XLC is Communications Equities. NXTG tracks Indxx 5G & NextG Thematic Index, while XLC tracks S&P Communication Services Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for NXTG and 0.13% for XLC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NXTG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 0.14), 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.