NXTG vs. XLKI

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

NXTG (First Trust IndXX NextG ETF) and XLKI (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) are both Technology Equities funds. NXTG is passively managed, while XLKI is actively managed. Over the past year, NXTG returned 53.55% vs 24.59% for XLKI. Their correlation of 0.85 means they have usually moved in the same direction. NXTG charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XLKI.

Performance

NXTG vs. XLKI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLKI). 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 XLKI's 10.67% 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%

XLKI

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: -1.06%
• 6M: 9.29%
• YTD: 10.67%
• 1Y: 24.59%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 21.71%

*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
XLKI State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	$514.98K	$430.22K	$356.64K

NXTG vs. XLKI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
NXTG First Trust IndXX NextG ETF	35.27%	11.84%
XLKI State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	10.67%	10.02%

Correlation

The correlation between NXTG and XLKI 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025	0.85

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

NXTG vs. XLKI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NXTG	XLKI
Technology	64.5%	99.2%
Communication Services	22.2%	0.8%
Industrials	6.5%	-
Real Estate	6.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.5%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	99.9%
Healthcare	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

NXTG vs. XLKI — 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

XLKI

XLKI Risk / Return Rank: 51
XLKI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
XLKI Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
XLKI Omega Ratio Rank: 47
XLKI Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
XLKI Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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. XLKI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLKI). 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	XLKI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	1.13	+1.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.02	1.61	+1.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.22	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.44	2.02	+1.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.87	7.10	+3.77

NXTG vs. XLKI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NXTG Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is higher than the XLKI Sharpe Ratio of 1.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NXTG and XLKI, 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. XLKI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NXTG drawdown since its inception was -33.61%, which is greater than XLKI's maximum drawdown of -11.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NXTG and XLKI.

Drawdown Indicators

	NXTG	XLKI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.61%	-11.21%	-22.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.41%	-11.21%	-4.20%
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%	-6.73%	-6.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.93%	-2.16%	-5.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.87%	3.18%	+1.69%

Volatility

NXTG vs. XLKI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) is 6.84%, while State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLKI) has a volatility of 8.68%. This indicates that NXTG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLKI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NXTG	XLKI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.84%	8.68%	-1.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.89%	17.55%	+2.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.42%	19.96%	+2.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.80%	19.92%	-1.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.12%	19.92%	-0.80%

NXTG vs. XLKI - Expense Ratio Comparison

NXTG has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than XLKI's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

NXTG vs. XLKI - Dividend Comparison

NXTG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.27%, less than XLKI's 17.91% 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%
XLKI State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	17.91%	8.52%	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 XLKI in my portfolio?

NXTG and XLKI 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.

Which is riskier, NXTG or XLKI?

XLKI has higher volatility (8.68%) compared to NXTG (6.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NXTG dropped -33.61% vs XLKI's -11.21%.

Which ETF is better, NXTG or XLKI?

On 1-year performance, NXTG leads with 53.55% vs 24.59% for XLKI. On fees, XLKI is cheaper at 0.35% 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 XLKI?

Over the 1-year period, NXTG has performed better with a 53.55% return vs 24.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NXTG or XLKI?

XLKI is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for NXTG.

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

XLKI has the higher dividend yield at 17.91%, compared with 1.27% for NXTG.

What is the main difference between NXTG and XLKI?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for NXTG and 0.35% for XLKI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NXTG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 1.13), 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.