SPAM vs. CRTC

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

SPAM (Themes Cybersecurity ETF) and CRTC (Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF) are both Technology Equities funds - SPAM tracks the Solactive Cyber Security Index - Benchmark TR Net while CRTC tracks the Solactive Whitney U.S. Critical Technologies Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, SPAM returned 31.93% vs 14.54% for CRTC. Their 0.71 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. Both charge a 0.35% expense ratio.

Performance

SPAM vs. CRTC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Themes Cybersecurity ETF (SPAM) and Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF (CRTC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPAM achieves a 33.96% return, which is significantly higher than CRTC's 6.95% return.

SPAM

• 1D: 1.63%
• 1M: -2.56%
• 6M: 34.94%
• YTD: 33.96%
• 1Y: 31.93%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 21.07%

CRTC

• 1D: 1.00%
• 1M: 0.72%
• 6M: 4.69%
• YTD: 6.95%
• 1Y: 14.54%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 19.14%

*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)
CRTC Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF	$258.18K	$628.52K	$497.75K
SPAM Themes Cybersecurity ETF	$48.61K	$58.13K	$116.83K

SPAM vs. CRTC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
SPAM Themes Cybersecurity ETF	33.96%	4.86%	10.58%	6.74%
CRTC Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF	6.95%	18.69%	18.05%	4.62%

Correlation

The correlation between SPAM and CRTC is 0.66, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 8, 2023	0.71

The correlation between SPAM and CRTC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

SPAM vs. CRTC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPAM	CRTC
Technology	89.9%	39.6%
Communication Services	6.4%	14.0%
Industrials	3.4%	13.4%
Real Estate	0.3%	0.1%
Financial Services	0.1%	0.1%
Basic Materials	-	3.0%
Consumer Cyclical	-	4.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	0.0%
Energy	-	5.8%
Healthcare	-	13.5%
Utilities	-	5.5%

Return for Risk

SPAM vs. CRTC — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SPAM

SPAM Risk / Return Rank: 38
SPAM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
SPAM Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
SPAM Omega Ratio Rank: 39
SPAM Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
SPAM Martin Ratio Rank: 30

CRTC

CRTC Risk / Return Rank: 37
CRTC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
CRTC Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
CRTC Omega Ratio Rank: 34
CRTC Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
CRTC Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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.

SPAM vs. CRTC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Themes Cybersecurity ETF (SPAM) and Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF (CRTC). 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.

	SPAM	CRTC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.03	0.92	+0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.53	1.31	+0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.16	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.23	1.42	-0.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.68	4.45	-1.77

SPAM vs. CRTC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPAM Sharpe Ratio is 1.03, which is comparable to the CRTC Sharpe Ratio of 0.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPAM and CRTC, 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

SPAM vs. CRTC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPAM drawdown since its inception was -24.02%, which is greater than CRTC's maximum drawdown of -19.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPAM and CRTC.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPAM	CRTC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.02%	-19.07%	-4.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.02%	-9.05%	-14.97%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.87%	-2.76%	-4.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.51%	-2.23%	-4.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.97%	2.88%	+8.09%

Volatility

SPAM vs. CRTC - Volatility Comparison

Themes Cybersecurity ETF (SPAM) has a higher volatility of 8.48% compared to Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF (CRTC) at 3.66%. This indicates that SPAM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CRTC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPAM	CRTC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.48%	3.66%	+4.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.09%	10.80%	+13.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.57%	13.91%	+14.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.04%	15.77%	+9.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.04%	15.77%	+9.27%

SPAM vs. CRTC - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SPAM and CRTC have an expense ratio of 0.35%.

Dividends

SPAM vs. CRTC - Dividend Comparison

SPAM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.37%, less than CRTC's 0.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
CRTC Xtrackers US National Critical Technologies ETF	0.89%	1.03%	1.13%	0.16%
SPAM Themes Cybersecurity ETF	0.37%	0.49%	0.13%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPAM and CRTC in my portfolio?

SPAM and CRTC have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPAM or CRTC?

SPAM has higher volatility (8.48%) compared to CRTC (3.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPAM dropped -24.02% vs CRTC's -19.07%.

Which ETF is better, SPAM or CRTC?

On 1-year performance, SPAM leads with 31.93% vs 14.54% for CRTC. Both ETFs have the same 0.35% expense ratio. On volatility, CRTC has been the lower-risk option at 3.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPAM or CRTC?

Over the 1-year period, SPAM has performed better with a 31.93% return vs 14.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPAM or CRTC?

SPAM and CRTC have the same expense ratio: 0.35% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPAM or CRTC?

CRTC has the higher dividend yield at 0.89%, compared with 0.37% for SPAM.

What is the main difference between SPAM and CRTC?

SPAM tracks Solactive Cyber Security Index - Benchmark TR Net, while CRTC tracks Solactive Whitney U.S. Critical Technologies Index. They also come from different issuers: Themes and Xtrackers.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPAM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.03 vs 0.92), 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.