XSW vs. NXTG

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF (XSW) and First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG).

XSW and NXTG are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. XSW is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the S&P Software & Services Select Industry Index. It was launched on Sep 28, 2011. NXTG is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the Indxx 5G & NextG Thematic Index. It was launched on Feb 17, 2011. Both XSW and NXTG are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

XSW vs. NXTG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF (XSW) and First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

XSW vs. NXTG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XSW SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF	-23.97%	-0.90%	25.81%	38.60%	-34.22%	7.47%	52.41%	36.50%	7.67%	27.94%
NXTG First Trust IndXX NextG ETF	4.07%	28.46%	12.85%	28.74%	-24.70%	21.81%	27.58%	29.58%	-17.25%	28.02%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XSW achieves a -23.97% return, which is significantly lower than NXTG's 4.07% return. Over the past 10 years, XSW has underperformed NXTG with an annualized return of 11.83%, while NXTG has yielded a comparatively higher 13.63% annualized return.

XSW

• 1D: 2.63%
• 1M: -5.49%
• YTD: -23.97%
• 6M: -28.05%
• 1Y: -10.96%
• 3Y*: 5.07%
• 5Y*: -2.31%
• 10Y*: 11.83%

NXTG

• 1D: 3.45%
• 1M: -7.18%
• YTD: 4.07%
• 6M: 8.80%
• 1Y: 34.24%
• 3Y*: 19.42%
• 5Y*: 10.75%
• 10Y*: 13.63%

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

XSW vs. NXTG - Expense Ratio Comparison

XSW has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than NXTG's 0.70% expense ratio.

NXTG

First Trust IndXX NextG ETF

XSW

SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF

Return for Risk

XSW vs. NXTG — Risk / Return Rank

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

XSW

XSW Risk / Return Rank: 6
XSW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
XSW Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
XSW Omega Ratio Rank: 6
XSW Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
XSW Martin Ratio Rank: 4

NXTG

NXTG Risk / Return Rank: 87
NXTG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
NXTG Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
NXTG Omega Ratio Rank: 86
NXTG Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
NXTG Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

XSW vs. NXTG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF (XSW) and First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG). 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.

	XSW	NXTG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.36	1.73	-2.09
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.33	2.41	-2.74
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.96	1.35	-0.39
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.38	2.72	-3.09
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.01	11.59	-12.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XSW vs. NXTG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XSW Sharpe Ratio is -0.36, which is lower than the NXTG Sharpe Ratio of 1.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XSW and NXTG, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	XSW	NXTG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.36	1.73	-2.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.08	0.62	-0.70
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46	0.73	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.55	+0.02

Correlation

The correlation between XSW and NXTG is 0.63, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

XSW vs. NXTG - Dividend Comparison

XSW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.05%, less than NXTG's 1.64% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XSW SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF	0.05%	0.06%	0.07%	0.20%	0.09%	0.13%	0.26%	0.12%	0.31%	0.46%	0.87%	0.54%
NXTG First Trust IndXX NextG ETF	1.64%	1.56%	1.51%	2.15%	2.04%	1.97%	1.04%	0.77%	1.27%	1.65%	1.23%	1.11%

Drawdowns

XSW vs. NXTG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XSW drawdown since its inception was -45.38%, which is greater than NXTG's maximum drawdown of -33.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XSW and NXTG.

Drawdown Indicators

	XSW	NXTG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.38%	-33.61%	-11.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.64%	-12.49%	-20.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.38%	-33.61%	-11.77%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.38%	-33.61%	-11.77%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-30.67%	-7.18%	-23.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.66%	-7.96%	-1.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.18%	2.93%	+9.25%

Volatility

XSW vs. NXTG - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF (XSW) and First Trust IndXX NextG ETF (NXTG) have volatilities of 7.84% and 8.17%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XSW	NXTG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.84%	8.17%	-0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.51%	13.24%	+7.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.30%	19.87%	+10.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.21%	17.42%	+10.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.87%	18.65%	+7.22%