What exactly is an ETF and how does it differ from a mutual fund?

An Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) is a basket of securities that tracks an index or strategy, trading on stock exchanges like individual stocks. Unlike mutual funds, which price once at the end of the day, ETFs trade throughout the day at market prices. For beginners, this means you can buy or sell an ETF at any time during market hours. ETFs like HACK and WCBR offer diversified exposure to cybersecurity companies without needing to select individual stocks, though they still carry market risks.

What does 'expense ratio' mean and why is it important for investors?

The expense ratio is the annual fee charged by the fund to manage your investment, expressed as a percentage of assets. It covers management costs, administration, and other operational expenses. This fee directly reduces your net returns. For example, HACK has a 0.60% expense ratio, while WCBR has a lower 0.45% ratio. Over time, even small differences in fees can significantly impact total investment growth, especially in long-term holding scenarios.

What is meant by 'dividend yield' in the context of these ETFs?

Dividend yield refers to the annual income generated by a fund through dividends paid by its underlying companies, divided by the fund's current price. Both HACK and WCBR show minimal yields—0.05% for HACK and 0.00% for WCBR. This indicates they are primarily focused on capital appreciation rather than regular income. Investors seeking steady cash flow may find these ETFs less suitable, as most gains come from increases in share price rather than dividend payments.

How do the fees of HACK and WCBR compare in practical terms?

HACK charges a 0.60% expense ratio, while WCBR charges 0.45%, creating a 0.15 percentage point difference. On a $10,000 investment, this equates to $15 more in annual fees with HACK. Over ten years, assuming no growth, that’s $150 additional cost. However, actual impact depends on investment size and time horizon. Lower fees don't guarantee better performance, but they do improve the baseline return potential all else being equal.

What does the top 10 holdings tell us about each fund’s exposure?

Both HACK and WCBR feature strong overlaps in cybersecurity firms like PANW, CRWD, and OKTA. HACK includes more established tech giants like AVGO and CSCO, offering broader technology exposure. WCBR focuses more heavily on pure-play cybersecurity companies like S and DDOG, potentially providing greater sensitivity to sector-specific trends. This difference means HACK may offer more diversified risk across larger tech firms, while WCBR could have higher volatility tied specifically to cybersecurity innovation.

How important is the operating history when comparing HACK and WCBR?

HACK launched in November 2014, giving it over a decade of performance history. WCBR started in January 2021, offering much shorter track record visibility. A longer history allows investors to see how a fund has performed through different market cycles, including economic downturns. While past performance doesn't predict future results, the additional data points from HACK’s longer history may provide more confidence in its consistency and management quality for risk-aware investors.

How do net assets affect liquidity and trading experience?

HACK manages $1.7 billion in net assets compared to WCBR’s $161 million. Larger asset bases generally indicate greater liquidity, meaning easier buying and selling with smaller bid-ask spreads. However, WCBR’s smaller size may offer more flexibility in portfolio adjustments and quicker responsiveness to market changes. Retail investors typically benefit from higher liquidity, while institutional investors might appreciate the nimbleness of a smaller fund despite potentially higher trading costs.

Why do both HACK and WCBR have minimal dividend yields?

Cybersecurity companies typically reinvest earnings into growth, innovation, and acquisition activities rather than distributing dividends. Both HACK and WCBR reflect this industry characteristic with yields of 0.05% and 0.00% respectively. Investors should expect total return to come primarily from stock price appreciation. This makes these ETFs more aligned with growth-oriented strategies rather than income-focused portfolios, particularly relevant for younger investors with longer time horizons.

What does it mean that both funds have 'not available' index tracking?

When index tracking information is unavailable, it suggests limited transparency about how holdings are selected and weighted. Both HACK and WCBR have this data gap. Investors cannot easily compare benchmark methodologies or verify tracking accuracy. While not inherently negative, it requires additional due diligence. Investors might prefer funds with clear index tracking details to better understand replication methods and potential tracking error risks over time.

Can beginners compare HACK and WCBR using only these data points?

Beginners can start comparing expense ratios, asset sizes, inception dates, and top holdings as shown. However, incomplete data like missing index tracking and sector weights limits comprehensive analysis. Additional research on performance history, manager backgrounds, and market conditions is essential. Understanding ETF basics, reading prospectuses, and checking independent sources beyond ticker comparisons help make informed decisions. Educational content should always complement further personal research and professional guidance when needed.

What should investors know about using this comparison page?

This page is strictly educational and does not constitute financial advice. The data comes from Yahoo Finance as of 2026-09-22 and may change over time. Figures like expense ratios, holdings, and yields reflect snapshots that can shift with market conditions. Always verify current information before making investment decisions. Consider consulting a qualified financial advisor who can assess your individual circumstances, risk tolerance, and investment objectives beyond what any ETF comparison page provides.

HACK vs WCBR

Two funds, one decision: we compare cost, performance and what each ETF actually holds in October 2026.

Compare HACK (ISE Cyber Security ETF PureFunds) and WCBR (Wisdomtree Cybersecurity). This page examines their fees, holdings, dividends, and how each fund tracks its market. HACK has an expense ratio of 0.60% versus WCBR's 0.45%. Both offer technology exposure but differ in structure and size. Educational content, not financial advice.

Compare HACK (ISE Cyber Security ETF PureFunds) and WCBR (Wisdomtree Cybersecurity). This page examines their fees, holdings, dividends, and how each fund tracks its market. HACK has an expense ratio ...

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

HACK

Metric

WCBR

0.60%

Expense Ratio

0.45%

0.05%

Dividend Yield

0.00%

$1.73B

Net Assets

$161.15M

26

Holdings

32

Nov 11, 2014

Inception Date

Jan 28, 2021

–

Index Tracked

–

Technology

Fund Category

Technology

WCBR costs about $15.00 less per year for every $10,000 invested.

Shared Top Holdings

Holding	HACK	WCBR
PANWPalo Alto Networks, Inc.	6.30%	6.06%
CRWDCrowdStrike Holdings, Inc.	6.21%	8.02%
OKTAOkta, Inc.	5.38%	6.47%
FTNTFortinet, Inc.	5.24%	5.64%
ZSZscaler, Inc.	4.90%	4.85%
RBRKRubrik, Inc.	4.66%	5.54%

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Investment Analysis

HACK

Pros

HACK offers a long operating history since November 2014, providing a stable track record for investors seeking an established cyber security ETF.
The fund’s large net assets of $1.7 billion suggest sufficient liquidity and scale for institutional and retail trading.
Its top holdings include a broad mix of established technology firms alongside pure-play security vendors, supporting balanced thematic exposure.

Considerations

With an expense ratio of 0.60%, HACK incurs higher annual costs than several newer cyber security ETFs.
A dividend yield of 0.05% means the fund generates negligible income, making it unsuitable for yield-focused strategies.
The fund's index tracking methodology is not available, limiting transparency around its selection and weighting process.

WCBR

Pros

WCBR features a lower expense ratio of 0.45%, improving net return potential compared to higher-cost cyber security peers.
The fund’s portfolio includes high-growth cybersecurity and software firms, reflecting a focused approach to innovation-driven themes.
Its modest net assets of $161 million may provide greater flexibility in holding adjustments and portfolio management.

Considerations

Launched in January 2021, the fund has a shorter performance history, which limits long-term track record visibility.
A dividend yield of 0.00% indicates that the fund does not distribute income to shareholders.
With only six overlapping holdings in its top ten compared to HACK, the fund may exhibit concentrated sector risks.

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