SKYY vs. XT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SKYY (First Trust ISE Cloud Computing Index Fund) and XT (iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF) are both Technology Equities funds - SKYY tracks the ISE Cloud Computing Index while XT tracks the Morningstar Exponential Technologies Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SKYY returned 17.20%/yr vs 14.70%/yr for XT. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SKYY charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for XT.

Performance

SKYY vs. XT - 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 Future Exponential Technologies ETF (XT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SKYY achieves a 13.58% return, which is significantly lower than XT's 20.20% return. Over the past 10 years, SKYY has outperformed XT with an annualized return of 17.20%, while XT has yielded a comparatively lower 14.70% annualized return.

SKYY

• 1D: -3.49%
• 1M: 16.66%
• YTD: 13.58%
• 6M: 12.79%
• 1Y: 26.22%
• 3Y*: 25.41%
• 5Y*: 8.47%
• 10Y*: 17.20%

XT

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: 9.47%
• YTD: 20.20%
• 6M: 20.54%
• 1Y: 45.88%
• 3Y*: 18.83%
• 5Y*: 8.42%
• 10Y*: 14.70%

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

SKYY vs. XT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SKYY First Trust ISE Cloud Computing Index Fund	13.58%	9.20%	35.87%	52.18%	-44.68%	10.62%	57.77%	25.25%	6.01%	33.47%
XT iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF	20.20%	26.28%	0.29%	27.02%	-27.83%	16.43%	35.10%	30.74%	-4.93%	33.71%

Correlation

The correlation between SKYY and XT is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 25, 2015	0.83

The correlation between SKYY and XT shifts across timeframes, from 0.65 (1 year) to 0.83 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SKYY vs. XT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SKYY	XT
Technology	88.9%	43.5%
Communication Services	4.8%	5.2%
Consumer Cyclical	1.6%	7.9%
Healthcare	1.6%	23.4%
Industrials	1.6%	10.1%
Basic Materials	-	2.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	0.0%
Energy	-	0.3%
Financial Services	-	3.3%
Real Estate	-	0.0%
Utilities	-	4.6%

Return for Risk

SKYY vs. XT — Risk / Return Rank

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

SKYY

SKYY Risk / Return Rank: 24
SKYY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
SKYY Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
SKYY Omega Ratio Rank: 26
SKYY Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
SKYY Martin Ratio Rank: 19

XT

XT Risk / Return Rank: 84
XT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
XT Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
XT Omega Ratio Rank: 79
XT Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
XT Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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. XT - 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 Future Exponential Technologies ETF (XT). 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.

	SKYY	XT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.95	2.89	-1.94
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.48	3.83	-2.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.48	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.96	4.41	-3.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.16	18.51	-16.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SKYY vs. XT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SKYY Sharpe Ratio is 0.95, which is lower than the XT Sharpe Ratio of 2.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SKYY and XT, 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

	SKYY	XT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95	2.89	-1.94
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	0.41	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64	0.73	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	0.66	-0.07

Drawdowns

SKYY vs. XT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SKYY drawdown since its inception was -53.20%, which is greater than XT's maximum drawdown of -34.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SKYY and XT.

Drawdown Indicators

	SKYY	XT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.20%	-34.41%	-18.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-27.39%	-10.45%	-16.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.80%	-22.09%	-9.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-53.20%	-34.41%	-18.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-53.20%	-34.41%	-18.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.79%	-0.47%	-4.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.90%	-7.41%	-3.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.20%	2.49%	+9.71%

Volatility

SKYY vs. XT - Volatility Comparison

First Trust ISE Cloud Computing Index Fund (SKYY) has a higher volatility of 11.77% compared to iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF (XT) at 4.85%. This indicates that SKYY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SKYY	XT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.77%	4.85%	+6.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.23%	11.94%	+11.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.86%	15.99%	+11.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.58%	20.76%	+9.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.85%	20.08%	+6.77%

SKYY vs. XT - Expense Ratio Comparison

SKYY has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than XT's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

SKYY vs. XT - Dividend Comparison

SKYY has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.61%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
XT iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF	6.61%	7.95%	0.66%	0.41%	0.78%	0.84%	0.77%	1.55%	1.40%	0.97%	1.37%	1.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SKYY and XT in my portfolio?

SKYY and XT have a correlation of 0.65, 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 XT?

SKYY has higher volatility (11.77%) compared to XT (4.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SKYY dropped -53.20% vs XT's -34.41%.

Which ETF is better, SKYY or XT?

On 10-year performance, SKYY leads with 17.20% vs 14.70% for XT. On fees, XT is cheaper at 0.46% per year. On volatility, XT has been the lower-risk option at 4.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SKYY or XT?

Over the 10-year period, SKYY has performed better with a 17.20% return vs 14.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SKYY or XT?

XT is cheaper with a 0.46% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for SKYY.

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

XT has the higher dividend yield at 6.61%, compared with 0.00% for SKYY.

What is the main difference between SKYY and XT?

SKYY tracks ISE Cloud Computing Index, while XT tracks Morningstar Exponential Technologies Index (Net). They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for SKYY and 0.46% for XT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.89 vs 0.95), 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.