XAR vs. CIBR

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

XAR (SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF) and CIBR (First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XAR is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index, while CIBR is a Cybersecurity fund tracking the Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XAR returned 18.45%/yr vs 17.88%/yr for CIBR. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XAR charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for CIBR.

Performance

XAR vs. CIBR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) 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, XAR achieves a 16.10% return, which is significantly lower than CIBR's 19.63% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with XAR having a 18.45% annualized return and CIBR not far behind at 17.88%.

XAR

• 1D: -1.55%
• 1M: 3.65%
• YTD: 16.10%
• 6M: 18.39%
• 1Y: 41.63%
• 3Y*: 33.32%
• 5Y*: 16.58%
• 10Y*: 18.45%

CIBR

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 12.50%
• YTD: 19.63%
• 6M: 15.68%
• 1Y: 17.38%
• 3Y*: 24.30%
• 5Y*: 13.58%
• 10Y*: 17.88%

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

XAR vs. CIBR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	16.10%	46.15%	23.32%	23.79%	-5.02%	2.31%	6.18%	39.33%	-4.58%	33.00%
CIBR First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF	19.63%	13.06%	18.21%	39.71%	-26.46%	19.67%	50.53%	28.52%	1.47%	18.61%

Correlation

The correlation between XAR and CIBR is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 7, 2015	0.57

Over the past year, the correlation between XAR and CIBR has dropped to 0.36 - well below their long-term average of 0.57, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

XAR vs. CIBR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XAR	CIBR
Industrials	99.1%	3.5%
Technology	0.8%	94.0%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	2.6%
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XAR vs. CIBR — Risk / Return Rank

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

XAR

XAR Risk / Return Rank: 49
XAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
XAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
XAR Omega Ratio Rank: 44
XAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
XAR Martin Ratio Rank: 48

CIBR

CIBR Risk / Return Rank: 21
CIBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
CIBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
CIBR Omega Ratio Rank: 22
CIBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
CIBR Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

XAR vs. CIBR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) 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.

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.

	XAR	CIBR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	0.69	+0.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.20	1.11	+1.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.14	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.43	0.79	+1.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.81	1.86	+4.96

XAR vs. CIBR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XAR Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is higher than the CIBR Sharpe Ratio of 0.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XAR 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.

Drawdowns

XAR vs. CIBR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XAR drawdown since its inception was -46.37%, which is greater than CIBR's maximum drawdown of -33.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XAR and CIBR.

Drawdown Indicators

	XAR	CIBR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.37%	-33.89%	-12.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.22%	-21.99%	+4.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.73%	-21.99%	+2.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.40%	-33.89%	+1.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.37%	-33.89%	-12.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.32%	-9.53%	+5.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.78%	-8.66%	+1.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.13%	9.38%	-3.25%

Volatility

XAR vs. CIBR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) is 11.46%, while First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) has a volatility of 12.35%. This indicates that XAR 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

	XAR	CIBR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.46%	12.35%	-0.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.56%	21.72%	+1.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.85%	25.16%	+2.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.66%	25.04%	-1.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.74%	23.65%	+1.09%

XAR vs. CIBR - Expense Ratio Comparison

XAR has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than CIBR's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

XAR vs. CIBR - Dividend Comparison

XAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.31%, less than CIBR's 0.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CIBR First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF	0.48%	0.42%	0.29%	0.42%	0.31%	0.59%	1.10%	0.23%	0.23%	0.10%	0.77%	0.58%
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.31%	0.40%	0.66%	0.54%	0.50%	0.83%	0.63%	0.75%	1.19%	0.76%	1.09%	2.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XAR and CIBR in my portfolio?

XAR and CIBR have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XAR or CIBR?

CIBR has higher volatility (12.35%) compared to XAR (11.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XAR dropped -46.37% vs CIBR's -33.89%.

Which ETF is better, XAR or CIBR?

On 10-year performance, XAR leads with 18.45% vs 17.88% for CIBR. On fees, XAR is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, XAR has been the lower-risk option at 11.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XAR or CIBR?

Over the 10-year period, XAR has performed better with a 18.45% return vs 17.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XAR or CIBR?

XAR is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for CIBR.

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

CIBR has the higher dividend yield at 0.48%, compared with 0.31% for XAR.

What is the main difference between XAR and CIBR?

XAR is categorized as Aerospace & Defense, while CIBR is Cybersecurity. XAR tracks S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index, while CIBR tracks Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XAR and 0.60% for CIBR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 vs 0.69), 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.