Cybersecurity ETF Surges 20% in May, Sets Six Consecutive Records
CIBR•First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF climbed over 20% in May with six straight intraday records, outperforming semiconductor and software sector ETFs. Key constituents such as CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks and Datadog hit new highs, adding tens of billions in market value as CIBR holds above its $78 breakout level.
1. May Performance Highlights
First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF has surged over 20% this month, marking six straight intraday record highs after clearing its October peak. This breakout run underscores cybersecurity’s emergence as the leading tech segment in May, drawing renewed investor focus on security-focused equities.
2. Comparison with Semiconductors and Software
CIBR’s May gain outpaces the iShares Semiconductor ETF’s near-10% pullback from its May 11 peak and the software sector ETF’s roughly 10% advance. While semiconductors remain up nearly 75% year-to-date, cybersecurity’s recent strength signals a rotation toward digital defense plays.
3. Key Constituents and Market Value Gains
CrowdStrike achieved seven consecutive intraday records, with Palo Alto Networks and Datadog also clearing late-2025 highs. Together with Fortinet and Cisco, these names contributed tens of billions in added market value this month, reflecting broad participation across the ETF’s top holdings.
4. Technical Levels and Potential Risks
The ETF continues to hold above its critical $78 breakout zone from October, a level that validates the rally’s strength. However, laggards such as Zscaler, Okta and Dynatrace remain below prior highs, and Check Point still contends with long-standing resistance, posing possible headwinds.
