SKYY vs. IAI

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

SKYY (First Trust ISE Cloud Computing Index Fund) and IAI (iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SKYY is a Technology Equities fund tracking the ISE Cloud Computing Index, while IAI is a Financials Equities fund tracking the DJ US Select / Investment Services. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SKYY returned 16.26%/yr vs 19.37%/yr for IAI. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SKYY charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for IAI.

Performance

SKYY vs. IAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust ISE Cloud Computing Index Fund (SKYY) and iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with SKYY having a 3.03% return and IAI slightly higher at 3.17%. Over the past 10 years, SKYY has underperformed IAI with an annualized return of 16.26%, while IAI has yielded a comparatively higher 19.37% annualized return.

SKYY

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 6.69%
• YTD: 3.03%
• 6M: 1.79%
• 1Y: 13.95%
• 3Y*: 20.38%
• 5Y*: 5.69%
• 10Y*: 16.26%

IAI

• 1D: 1.83%
• 1M: 3.22%
• YTD: 3.17%
• 6M: 2.78%
• 1Y: 19.26%
• 3Y*: 28.06%
• 5Y*: 14.44%
• 10Y*: 19.37%

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

SKYY vs. IAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SKYY First Trust ISE Cloud Computing Index Fund	3.03%	9.20%	35.87%	52.18%	-44.68%	10.62%	57.77%	25.25%	6.01%	33.47%
IAI iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF	3.17%	25.80%	34.37%	15.27%	-10.87%	40.48%	18.61%	24.26%	-9.47%	28.86%

Correlation

The correlation between SKYY and IAI is 0.53, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.59
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 6, 2011	0.61

The correlation between SKYY and IAI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.53 to 0.61 - a consistent structural relationship.

SKYY vs. IAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SKYY	IAI
Technology	88.9%	0.1%
Communication Services	4.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	1.6%	-
Healthcare	1.6%	-
Industrials	1.6%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	99.9%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

SKYY vs. IAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

SKYY

SKYY Risk / Return Rank: 17
SKYY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
SKYY Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
SKYY Omega Ratio Rank: 18
SKYY Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
SKYY Martin Ratio Rank: 15

IAI

IAI Risk / Return Rank: 29
IAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
IAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
IAI Omega Ratio Rank: 29
IAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
IAI Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

SKYY vs. IAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust ISE Cloud Computing Index Fund (SKYY) and iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI). 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.

	SKYY	IAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.49	1.00	-0.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.89	1.43	-0.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.18	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.51	1.17	-0.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.13	3.33	-2.19

SKYY vs. IAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SKYY Sharpe Ratio is 0.49, which is lower than the IAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SKYY and IAI, 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

SKYY vs. IAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SKYY drawdown since its inception was -53.20%, smaller than the maximum IAI drawdown of -75.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SKYY and IAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	SKYY	IAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.20%	-75.46%	+22.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-27.39%	-16.52%	-10.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.80%	-23.14%	-8.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-53.20%	-28.84%	-24.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-53.20%	-40.38%	-12.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.63%	-2.81%	-10.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.90%	-22.63%	+11.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.34%	5.80%	+6.54%

Volatility

SKYY vs. IAI - Volatility Comparison

First Trust ISE Cloud Computing Index Fund (SKYY) has a higher volatility of 13.09% compared to iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI) at 5.98%. This indicates that SKYY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SKYY	IAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.09%	5.98%	+7.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.88%	15.34%	+8.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.45%	19.44%	+9.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.67%	21.48%	+9.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.90%	22.85%	+4.05%

SKYY vs. IAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

SKYY has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than IAI's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

SKYY vs. IAI - Dividend Comparison

SKYY has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IAI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.05%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IAI iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF	1.05%	0.95%	1.05%	1.80%	2.14%	1.31%	1.55%	1.52%	1.58%	1.37%	1.49%	1.31%
SKYY First Trust ISE Cloud Computing Index Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.23%	0.78%	0.17%	0.54%	0.37%	0.27%	0.35%	0.41%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SKYY and IAI in my portfolio?

SKYY and IAI have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SKYY or IAI?

SKYY has higher volatility (13.09%) compared to IAI (5.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SKYY dropped -53.20% vs IAI's -75.46%.

Which ETF is better, SKYY or IAI?

On 10-year performance, IAI leads with 19.37% vs 16.26% for SKYY. On fees, IAI is cheaper at 0.41% per year. On volatility, IAI has been the lower-risk option at 5.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SKYY or IAI?

Over the 10-year period, IAI has performed better with a 19.37% return vs 16.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SKYY or IAI?

IAI is cheaper with a 0.41% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for SKYY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SKYY or IAI?

IAI has the higher dividend yield at 1.05%, compared with 0.00% for SKYY.

What is the main difference between SKYY and IAI?

SKYY is categorized as Technology Equities, while IAI is Financials Equities. SKYY tracks ISE Cloud Computing Index, while IAI tracks DJ US Select / Investment Services. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for SKYY and 0.41% for IAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.00 vs 0.49), 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.