EDOW vs. QQQE

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

EDOW (First Trust Dow 30 Equal Weight ETF) and QQQE (Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - EDOW is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Industrail Average Equal Weight TR, while QQQE is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, EDOW returned 9.82%/yr vs 8.11%/yr for QQQE. Their 0.74 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. EDOW charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for QQQE.

Performance

EDOW vs. QQQE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dow 30 Equal Weight ETF (EDOW) and Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares (QQQE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EDOW achieves a 10.49% return, which is significantly lower than QQQE's 14.79% return.

EDOW

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: 0.84%
• 6M: 7.82%
• YTD: 10.49%
• 1Y: 21.11%
• 3Y*: 15.32%
• 5Y*: 9.82%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.57%

QQQE

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: -2.56%
• 6M: 13.07%
• YTD: 14.79%
• 1Y: 21.68%
• 3Y*: 14.21%
• 5Y*: 8.11%
• 10Y*: 14.70%
• ALL TIME*: 14.32%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EDOW First Trust Dow 30 Equal Weight ETF	$755.60K	$679.73K	$683.44K
QQQE Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares	$22.33M	$22.31M	$23.91M

EDOW vs. QQQE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EDOW First Trust Dow 30 Equal Weight ETF	10.49%	15.46%	13.17%	15.47%	-7.45%	18.82%	6.64%	24.69%	-2.04%	11.90%
QQQE Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares	14.79%	14.58%	6.98%	33.76%	-24.47%	17.93%	37.85%	36.43%	-5.40%	7.03%

Correlation

The correlation between EDOW and QQQE is 0.60, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 9, 2017	0.74

The correlation between EDOW and QQQE shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (1 year) to 0.76 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

EDOW vs. QQQE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EDOW	QQQE
Technology	19.4%	44.3%
Financial Services	16.1%	1.0%
Consumer Cyclical	12.9%	10.9%
Healthcare	12.9%	8.8%
Industrials	12.9%	10.8%
Consumer Defensive	9.7%	8.0%
Communication Services	6.5%	9.6%
Basic Materials	3.2%	1.0%
Energy	3.2%	1.8%
Real Estate	-	0.7%
Utilities	-	3.9%

Return for Risk

EDOW vs. QQQE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

EDOW

EDOW Risk / Return Rank: 76
EDOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
EDOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
EDOW Omega Ratio Rank: 78
EDOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
EDOW Martin Ratio Rank: 70

QQQE

QQQE Risk / Return Rank: 53
QQQE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
QQQE Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
QQQE Omega Ratio Rank: 48
QQQE Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
QQQE Martin Ratio Rank: 57

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

EDOW vs. QQQE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dow 30 Equal Weight ETF (EDOW) and Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares (QQQE). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	EDOW	QQQE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	1.25	+0.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.72	1.77	+0.95
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.22	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.30	2.11	+0.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.62	6.75	+1.87

EDOW vs. QQQE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EDOW Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is higher than the QQQE Sharpe Ratio of 1.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EDOW and QQQE, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

EDOW vs. QQQE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EDOW drawdown since its inception was -33.72%, roughly equal to the maximum QQQE drawdown of -32.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EDOW and QQQE.

Drawdown Indicators

	EDOW	QQQE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.72%	-32.14%	-1.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.73%	-9.41%	+0.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.51%	-21.38%	+5.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.98%	-32.14%	+10.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-32.14%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.42%	-4.46%	+4.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.02%	-5.14%	+1.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.33%	2.94%	-0.61%

Volatility

EDOW vs. QQQE - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Dow 30 Equal Weight ETF (EDOW) and Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares (QQQE) have volatilities of 3.75% and 3.68%, 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

	EDOW	QQQE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.75%	3.68%	+0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.52%	12.96%	-4.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.93%	16.02%	-5.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.23%	20.58%	-6.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.65%	20.76%	-3.11%

EDOW vs. QQQE - Expense Ratio Comparison

EDOW has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQE's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

EDOW vs. QQQE - Dividend Comparison

EDOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.24%, more than QQQE's 0.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EDOW First Trust Dow 30 Equal Weight ETF	1.24%	1.31%	1.65%	1.93%	1.91%	1.52%	1.84%	1.88%	1.82%	0.75%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQE Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares	0.58%	0.52%	0.86%	0.79%	0.98%	3.83%	0.54%	0.74%	0.80%	0.65%	1.17%	0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EDOW and QQQE in my portfolio?

EDOW and QQQE have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EDOW or QQQE?

EDOW has higher volatility (3.75%) compared to QQQE (3.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EDOW dropped -33.72% vs QQQE's -32.14%.

Which ETF is better, EDOW or QQQE?

On 5-year performance, EDOW leads with 9.82% vs 8.11% for QQQE. On fees, QQQE is cheaper at 0.35% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EDOW or QQQE?

Over the 5-year period, EDOW has performed better with a 9.82% return vs 8.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EDOW or QQQE?

QQQE is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for EDOW.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EDOW or QQQE?

EDOW has the higher dividend yield at 1.24%, compared with 0.58% for QQQE.

What is the main difference between EDOW and QQQE?

EDOW is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while QQQE is Nasdaq-100. EDOW tracks Dow Jones Industrail Average Equal Weight TR, while QQQE tracks NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for EDOW and 0.35% for QQQE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EDOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 1.25), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.