QQXT vs. CIBR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QQXT (First Trust Nasdaq-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund) and CIBR (First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQXT is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Ex-Tech Sector Index, while CIBR is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QQXT returned 10.01%/yr vs 18.49%/yr for CIBR. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.60% expense ratio.

Performance

QQXT vs. CIBR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund (QQXT) and First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQXT achieves a -1.57% return, which is significantly lower than CIBR's 28.52% return. Over the past 10 years, QQXT has underperformed CIBR with an annualized return of 10.01%, while CIBR has yielded a comparatively higher 18.49% annualized return.

QQXT

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: -0.88%
• YTD: -1.57%
• 6M: -1.64%
• 1Y: -0.05%
• 3Y*: 7.28%
• 5Y*: 4.06%
• 10Y*: 10.01%

CIBR

• 1D: -2.81%
• 1M: 31.43%
• YTD: 28.52%
• 6M: 24.03%
• 1Y: 25.78%
• 3Y*: 28.32%
• 5Y*: 16.28%
• 10Y*: 18.49%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

QQXT vs. CIBR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QQXT First Trust Nasdaq-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund	-1.57%	8.02%	6.71%	16.81%	-13.09%	12.02%	36.85%	28.02%	-5.74%	20.69%
CIBR First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF	28.52%	13.06%	18.21%	39.71%	-26.46%	19.67%	50.53%	28.52%	1.47%	18.61%

Correlation

The correlation between QQXT and CIBR is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 8, 2015	0.69

Over the past year, the correlation between QQXT and CIBR has dropped to 0.35 - well below their long-term average of 0.69, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

QQXT vs. CIBR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQXT	CIBR
Consumer Cyclical	17.6%	-
Healthcare	16.9%	-
Industrials	16.1%	3.5%
Consumer Defensive	15.1%	-
Communication Services	11.9%	2.6%
Utilities	7.6%	-
Technology	5.7%	94.0%
Energy	3.9%	-
Financial Services	2.0%	-
Basic Materials	1.8%	-
Real Estate	1.4%	-

Return for Risk

QQXT vs. CIBR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

QQXT

QQXT Risk / Return Rank: 8
QQXT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
QQXT Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
QQXT Omega Ratio Rank: 8
QQXT Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
QQXT Martin Ratio Rank: 9

CIBR

CIBR Risk / Return Rank: 26
CIBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
CIBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
CIBR Omega Ratio Rank: 29
CIBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
CIBR Martin Ratio Rank: 22

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

QQXT vs. CIBR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund (QQXT) and First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR). 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.

	QQXT	CIBR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.00	1.06	-1.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.07	1.56	-1.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.20	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.01	1.18	-1.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.01	2.79	-2.81
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QQXT vs. CIBR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQXT Sharpe Ratio is -0.00, which is lower than the CIBR Sharpe Ratio of 1.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQXT and CIBR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QQXT	CIBR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.00	1.06	-1.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25	0.66	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.79	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.67	-0.21

Drawdowns

QQXT vs. CIBR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQXT drawdown since its inception was -57.45%, which is greater than CIBR's maximum drawdown of -33.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQXT and CIBR.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQXT	CIBR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.45%	-33.89%	-23.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.59%	-21.99%	+14.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.92%	-21.99%	+7.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.74%	-33.89%	+9.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.40%	-33.89%	+3.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.98%	-2.81%	-3.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.11%	-8.66%	+0.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.18%	9.25%	-6.07%

Volatility

QQXT vs. CIBR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Nasdaq-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund (QQXT) is 2.44%, while First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) has a volatility of 10.90%. This indicates that QQXT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CIBR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQXT	CIBR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.44%	10.90%	-8.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.65%	20.90%	-13.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.77%	24.50%	-13.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.25%	24.95%	-8.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.54%	23.60%	-6.06%

QQXT vs. CIBR - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both QQXT and CIBR have an expense ratio of 0.60%.

Dividends

QQXT vs. CIBR - Dividend Comparison

QQXT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.23%, more than CIBR's 0.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CIBR First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF	0.45%	0.42%	0.29%	0.42%	0.31%	0.59%	1.10%	0.23%	0.23%	0.10%	0.77%	0.58%
QQXT First Trust Nasdaq-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund	1.23%	1.20%	0.98%	1.10%	0.92%	0.35%	0.28%	0.35%	0.38%	0.32%	0.31%	0.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQXT and CIBR in my portfolio?

QQXT and CIBR have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQXT or CIBR?

CIBR has higher volatility (10.90%) compared to QQXT (2.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQXT dropped -57.45% vs CIBR's -33.89%.

Which ETF is better, QQXT or CIBR?

On 10-year performance, CIBR leads with 18.49% vs 10.01% for QQXT. Both ETFs have the same 0.60% expense ratio. On volatility, QQXT has been the lower-risk option at 2.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQXT or CIBR?

Over the 10-year period, CIBR has performed better with a 18.49% return vs 10.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQXT or CIBR?

QQXT and CIBR have the same expense ratio: 0.60% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QQXT or CIBR?

QQXT has the higher dividend yield at 1.23%, compared with 0.45% for CIBR.

What is the main difference between QQXT and CIBR?

QQXT is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while CIBR is Technology Equities. QQXT tracks NASDAQ-100 Ex-Tech Sector Index, while CIBR tracks Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CIBR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.06 vs -0.00), 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.