XPND vs. IETC

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

XPND (First Trust Expanded Technology ETF) and IETC (iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF) are both Technology Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, XPND returned 14.44%/yr vs 14.77%/yr for IETC. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. XPND charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for IETC.

Performance

XPND vs. IETC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Expanded Technology ETF (XPND) and iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF (IETC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XPND achieves a 10.20% return, which is significantly higher than IETC's 3.27% return.

XPND

• 1D: -3.76%
• 1M: 0.49%
• YTD: 10.20%
• 6M: 8.52%
• 1Y: 23.64%
• 3Y*: 25.30%
• 5Y*: 14.44%
• 10Y*: —

IETC

• 1D: -3.43%
• 1M: -3.33%
• YTD: 3.27%
• 6M: 1.39%
• 1Y: 16.71%
• 3Y*: 25.64%
• 5Y*: 14.77%
• 10Y*: —

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

XPND vs. IETC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
XPND First Trust Expanded Technology ETF	10.20%	18.82%	29.61%	46.13%	-29.66%	15.05%
IETC iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF	3.27%	19.56%	37.57%	54.35%	-32.78%	15.37%

Correlation

The correlation between XPND and IETC is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 15, 2021	0.95

The correlation between XPND and IETC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

XPND vs. IETC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XPND	IETC
Technology	74.6%	79.5%
Communication Services	17.7%	8.2%
Financial Services	7.7%	3.0%
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	4.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	0.1%
Industrials	-	4.3%
Real Estate	-	0.6%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XPND vs. IETC — Risk / Return Rank

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

XPND

XPND Risk / Return Rank: 33
XPND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
XPND Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
XPND Omega Ratio Rank: 34
XPND Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
XPND Martin Ratio Rank: 30

IETC

IETC Risk / Return Rank: 20
IETC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
IETC Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
IETC Omega Ratio Rank: 21
IETC Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
IETC 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.

XPND vs. IETC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Expanded Technology ETF (XPND) and iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF (IETC). 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.

	XPND	IETC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.20	0.73	+0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.65	1.10	+0.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.14	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.37	0.79	+0.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.94	2.15	+1.79

XPND vs. IETC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XPND Sharpe Ratio is 1.20, which is higher than the IETC Sharpe Ratio of 0.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XPND and IETC, 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

XPND vs. IETC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XPND drawdown since its inception was -38.00%, roughly equal to the maximum IETC drawdown of -38.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XPND and IETC.

Drawdown Indicators

	XPND	IETC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.00%	-38.48%	+0.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.38%	-21.19%	+3.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.37%	-25.17%	+1.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.00%	-38.48%	+0.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.05%	-11.36%	+5.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.01%	-8.14%	-1.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.01%	7.79%	-1.78%

Volatility

XPND vs. IETC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Expanded Technology ETF (XPND) is 10.02%, while iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF (IETC) has a volatility of 11.06%. This indicates that XPND experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IETC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XPND	IETC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.02%	11.06%	-1.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.31%	18.31%	-2.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.80%	22.86%	-3.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.13%	24.86%	-0.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.08%	25.50%	-1.42%

XPND vs. IETC - Expense Ratio Comparison

XPND has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than IETC's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

XPND vs. IETC - Dividend Comparison

XPND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.10%, less than IETC's 0.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IETC iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF	0.40%	0.38%	0.52%	0.79%	0.92%	0.73%	0.48%	0.95%	1.27%
XPND First Trust Expanded Technology ETF	0.10%	0.08%	0.12%	0.18%	0.34%	0.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XPND and IETC in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, XPND and IETC move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, XPND or IETC?

IETC has higher volatility (11.06%) compared to XPND (10.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XPND dropped -38.00% vs IETC's -38.48%.

Which ETF is better, XPND or IETC?

On 5-year performance, IETC leads with 14.77% vs 14.44% for XPND. On fees, IETC is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, XPND has been the lower-risk option at 10.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XPND or IETC?

Over the 5-year period, IETC has performed better with a 14.77% return vs 14.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XPND or IETC?

IETC is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for XPND.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XPND or IETC?

IETC has the higher dividend yield at 0.40%, compared with 0.10% for XPND.

What is the main difference between XPND and IETC?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for XPND and 0.18% for IETC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XPND currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.20 vs 0.73), 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.