CIBR ETF: What Is It? A Complete Guide to Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings, and Alternative ETFs
The First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) tracks the Nasdaq Cybersecurity Index and offers diversified exposure to security solution companies as a satellite holding. Single-sector concentration, fees, distribution frequency, and differences in holdings versus peer security ETFs are the key selection criteria.
SubscribeWhat Is the First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF?
This is a thematic ETF that tracks the Nasdaq Cybersecurity Index. It holds companies in the cybersecurity sector that focus on building, implementing, and managing security protocols, using a liquidity-based weighting method.
It suits investors who want satellite exposure to the structural growth theme of rising demand for digital security.
It is a passive (index-tracking) ETF managed by First Trust.
How Does the First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracked index | Nasdaq Cybersecurity Index |
| Management style | Passive (index tracking) |
| Rebalancing frequency | Semiannual |
| Distribution frequency | Semiannual |
| Issuer | First Trust |
| Total expense ratio | 0.58% |
The fund selects and holds companies focused on the cybersecurity business according to the index's inclusion criteria. Individual holdings are weighted by liquidity, with a cap so that no single stock's weight becomes excessive. Constituents must meet certain size and trading liquidity requirements, and rebalancing is reflected periodically under the index rules.
- Exposure concentrated in a single cybersecurity theme
- Liquidity-based weighting with weight caps applied
First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Management Fees)
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $18.4B, and the total expense ratio is 0.58% per year.
Similar ETFs in the same cybersecurity theme differ in fee levels and portfolio composition, so a side-by-side comparison is worthwhile.
First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF Performance and Trends
1-Year Price Performance
Dividend & Yield
52-Week Price RangeTheme demand has continued against the structural backdrop of digital transformation and rising security threats. However, because of its heavy weighting in growth stocks, the fund tends to show high volatility depending on the interest rate and earnings environment.
Fund flows fluctuate with interest in the cybersecurity theme, and money tends to flow into growth-theme ETFs when risk appetite rises.
First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF Pros and Cons
Its strength is easy access to diversified exposure to a structural growth theme, while its weaknesses are single-sector concentration and volatility.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
Alternative ETFs and Related Products to the First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF
BUG and WCBR in the table are peer ETFs in the same cybersecurity theme. They differ in tracked index, issuer, and fee level, so you can compare their holdings and costs. DTCR is an adjacent-theme ETF with exposure to data centers and digital infrastructure, and its character is somewhat different. Direct substitutes not in the table include peer security ETFs such as HACK and IHAK. If you want to broaden exposure beyond security to the technology sector as a whole, a technology sector ETF such as XLK can also be considered.
Peer Comparison ETFs| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 BUG | Global X Cybersecurity ETF | $51.42 | +3.0% | $2.2B | 0.50% | 0.02% | +44.4% |
 DTCR | Global X Data Center & Digital Infrastructure ETF | $25.68 | +1.0% | $1.9B | 0.50% | 0.96% | +15.3% |
 ESPO | VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF | $99.31 | +0.2% | $253.8M | 0.55% | 1.3% | -13.9% |
 WCBR | WisdomTree Cybersecurity Fund | $51.36 | +3.8% | $227.1M | 0.45% | - | +59.0% |
 HERO | Global X Video Games & Esports ETF | $27.44 | +0.1% | $62.1M | 0.50% | 1.68% | -16.4% |
Top Holdings| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PANW | Palo Alto Networks Inc | 0.18% | $390.46 | +2.6% | $319.4B | 761.9 | - |
| FTNT | Fortinet Inc | 0.16% | $183.33 | +1.9% | $134.5B | 64.6 | - |
| CRWD | Crowdstrike Holdings Inc | 0.17% | $261.83 | +1.6% | $268.1B | 7334.2 | - |
| CSCO | Cisco Systems Inc | 0.15% | $110.24 | +3.5% | $434.6B | 33.1 | 1.55% |
| AVGO | Broadcom Inc | 0.14% | $329.17 | +2.3% | $1.57T | 42.0 | 0.79% |
First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF Investor Checkpoints
Here are the points to review before investing in CIBR. As a thematic ETF, it is wise to check sector concentration, costs, and volatility characteristics in advance, and looking at differences in fees and holdings versus peer security ETFs will also help with your choice.
| Checkpoint | What to check | Current status |
|---|---|---|
| 💵 Expense ratio | Check the impact of cumulative costs over a long holding period | Annual fee applies |
| 📊 Sector concentration | Degree of concentrated exposure to a single theme | Concentrated in the security sector |
| 📈 Volatility | Volatility driven by growth stock weighting | Relatively high volatility |
| 💱 Exchange rate | Impact on returns converted to Korean won | Not currency hedged |
Concentration in a single theme and a high growth stock weighting are the main drivers of volatility. When the security sector weakens or interest rates rise, short-term losses can be larger than those of core ETFs.
It suits investors seeking diversified exposure to the structural growth theme of cybersecurity as a satellite holding. If fee and composition differences matter to you, compare it with HACK and IHAK, and if you want exposure to the technology sector as a whole, compare it with XLK.
SubscribeDisclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
This article reflects information as of June 21, 2026.
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