FDN vs. QTEC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FDN (First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index) and QTEC (First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FDN is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Internet Index, while QTEC is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FDN returned 14.37%/yr vs 23.00%/yr for QTEC. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FDN charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.57%/yr for QTEC.

Performance

FDN vs. QTEC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index (FDN) and First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDN achieves a 4.18% return, which is significantly lower than QTEC's 44.73% return. Over the past 10 years, FDN has underperformed QTEC with an annualized return of 14.37%, while QTEC has yielded a comparatively higher 23.00% annualized return.

FDN

• 1D: -1.90%
• 1M: 4.74%
• YTD: 4.18%
• 6M: 3.26%
• 1Y: 10.29%
• 3Y*: 20.67%
• 5Y*: 4.24%
• 10Y*: 14.37%

QTEC

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 22.39%
• YTD: 44.73%
• 6M: 40.31%
• 1Y: 67.84%
• 3Y*: 32.86%
• 5Y*: 17.61%
• 10Y*: 23.00%

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

FDN vs. QTEC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FDN First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index	4.18%	10.70%	30.35%	51.48%	-45.54%	6.55%	52.55%	19.25%	6.17%	37.64%
QTEC First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund	44.73%	22.28%	7.32%	67.02%	-39.83%	26.89%	38.76%	48.22%	-4.62%	37.78%

Correlation

The correlation between FDN and QTEC is 0.72, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2006	0.83

The correlation between FDN and QTEC shifts across timeframes, from 0.72 (1 year) to 0.86 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FDN vs. QTEC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FDN	QTEC
Technology	37.7%	87.9%
Communication Services	29.7%	6.2%
Consumer Cyclical	27.7%	4.0%
Financial Services	2.4%	-
Industrials	1.4%	1.9%
Healthcare	1.1%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FDN vs. QTEC — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

FDN

FDN Risk / Return Rank: 16
FDN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
FDN Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
FDN Omega Ratio Rank: 17
FDN Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
FDN Martin Ratio Rank: 14

QTEC

QTEC Risk / Return Rank: 80
QTEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
QTEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
QTEC Omega Ratio Rank: 78
QTEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
QTEC Martin Ratio Rank: 72

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

FDN vs. QTEC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index (FDN) and First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC). 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.

	FDN	QTEC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.54	2.97	-2.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.84	3.67	-2.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.47	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.49	4.25	-3.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.24	13.77	-12.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FDN vs. QTEC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDN Sharpe Ratio is 0.54, which is lower than the QTEC Sharpe Ratio of 2.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDN and QTEC, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FDN	QTEC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.54	2.97	-2.43
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16	0.61	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.84	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.60	-0.06

Drawdowns

FDN vs. QTEC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDN drawdown since its inception was -61.55%, roughly equal to the maximum QTEC drawdown of -58.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDN and QTEC.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDN	QTEC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.55%	-58.86%	-2.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.31%	-16.03%	-5.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.98%	-29.00%	+4.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-53.97%	-45.54%	-8.43%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-53.97%	-45.54%	-8.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.22%	0.00%	-3.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.82%	-9.89%	-1.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.35%	4.94%	+3.41%

Volatility

FDN vs. QTEC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index (FDN) is 5.14%, while First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC) has a volatility of 7.34%. This indicates that FDN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QTEC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FDN	QTEC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.14%	7.34%	-2.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.44%	18.26%	-3.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.04%	22.98%	-3.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.25%	29.19%	-1.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.60%	27.51%	-1.91%

FDN vs. QTEC - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDN has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is lower than QTEC's 0.57% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDN vs. QTEC - Dividend Comparison

Neither FDN nor QTEC has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDN First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QTEC First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.02%	0.14%	0.15%	0.02%	0.44%	0.68%	0.91%	0.80%	1.29%	0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FDN and QTEC in my portfolio?

FDN and QTEC have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FDN or QTEC?

QTEC has higher volatility (7.34%) compared to FDN (5.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDN dropped -61.55% vs QTEC's -58.86%.

Which ETF is better, FDN or QTEC?

On 10-year performance, QTEC leads with 23.00% vs 14.37% for FDN. On fees, FDN is cheaper at 0.52% per year. On volatility, FDN has been the lower-risk option at 5.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FDN or QTEC?

Over the 10-year period, QTEC has performed better with a 23.00% return vs 14.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FDN or QTEC?

FDN is cheaper with a 0.52% expense ratio, compared with 0.57% for QTEC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FDN or QTEC?

FDN and QTEC have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between FDN and QTEC?

FDN is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while QTEC is Nasdaq-100. FDN tracks Dow Jones Internet Index, while QTEC tracks NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.52% for FDN and 0.57% for QTEC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QTEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.97 vs 0.54), 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.