CIBR vs QQQ
First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, CIBR or QQQ?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. CIBR led over 1Y and 3Y, QQQ over 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.7%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | CIBR | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.58% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $15.9B | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.43% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 88 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +35.21%Best | +17.33% |
| 1Y Return | +32.73%Best | +26.50% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +26.92%Best | +24.58% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.20% | +14.15%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.8% | 18.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.9%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,588 | $19,381Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 57.7% | 46.5%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jul 7, 2015 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 7, 2015 to Sep 3, 2026 (11.2 years).
CIBR vs QQQ growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 11.2 years both funds cover.
CIBR vs QQQ Performance
First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year CIBR returned +32.73% while QQQ returned +26.50%. Year to date, CIBR is up 35.21% versus a gain of 17.33% for QQQ.
Over three years, CIBR compounded at +26.92% per year against +24.58% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +13.20% and +14.15% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.84% annualized vs +15.26%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CIBR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.8% compared with 18.9% for QQQ. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -33.9% for CIBR and -35.1% for QQQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CIBR charges 0.58% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $58 vs $18 annually, a gap of $40 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CIBR currently yields 0.43% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
48.6% of CIBR's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 17.9% of QQQ's money is in holdings CIBR also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
9 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in CIBR and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 88 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 87 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for CIBR (79.6% of the fund), and 27 for CIBR that do not appear in QQQ (44.5%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in CIBR | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PANWPalo Alto Networks, Inc | 9.43% | 1.30% | 8.13% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 6.85% | 3.16% | 3.69% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 7.39% | 2.10% | 5.29% |
| CRWDCrowdstrike Holdings Inc. Class A | 8.41% | 0.94% | 7.47% |
| FTNTFortinet Inc | 8.71% | 0.53% | 8.18% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 1.98% | 5.76% | 3.78% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc.Class A | 1.74% | 3.36% | 1.62% |
| DDOGDatadog Inc | 2.10% | 0.41% | 1.69% |
| HONHoneywell International Inc. | 1.98% | 0.35% | 1.63% |
48.6% of CIBR is already inside QQQ.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, CIBR or QQQ?
CIBR has an expense ratio of 0.58% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $40 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CIBR or QQQ?
Over the past year CIBR returned +32.73% vs +26.50% for QQQ, so CIBR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), CIBR annualized +15.26% vs +18.84% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CIBR or QQQ?
CIBR has been the more volatile fund at 21.8% annualized versus 18.9% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: CIBR -33.9% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both CIBR and QQQ?
CIBR and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between CIBR and QQQ?
48.6% of CIBR's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 17.9% of QQQ's is in holdings CIBR also owns. They hold 9 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in CIBR and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, CIBR or QQQ?
CIBR yields 0.43% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than CIBR?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. CIBR led over 1Y and 3Y, QQQ over 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.