FTHI vs. FTQI
FTHI (First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF) and FTQI (First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTHI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by First Trust, while FTQI is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. FTHI is actively managed, while FTQI is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTHI returned 8.66%/yr vs 8.16%/yr for FTQI. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FTHI charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for FTQI.
Performance
FTHI vs. FTQI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTHI achieves a 4.88% return, which is significantly lower than FTQI's 10.72% return. Over the past 10 years, FTHI has outperformed FTQI with an annualized return of 8.66%, while FTQI has yielded a comparatively lower 8.16% annualized return.
FTHI
- 1D
- -0.71%
- 1M
- -0.04%
- YTD
- 4.88%
- 6M
- 4.13%
- 1Y
- 15.40%
- 3Y*
- 14.28%
- 5Y*
- 10.33%
- 10Y*
- 8.66%
FTQI
- 1D
- -0.90%
- 1M
- 1.53%
- YTD
- 10.72%
- 6M
- 9.88%
- 1Y
- 27.20%
- 3Y*
- 16.88%
- 5Y*
- 11.03%
- 10Y*
- 8.16%
FTHI vs. FTQI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTHI First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF | 4.88% | 11.03% | 19.02% | 20.72% | -4.37% | 13.95% | -7.13% | 18.16% | -9.72% | 14.41% |
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF | 10.72% | 12.68% | 18.30% | 23.63% | -8.77% | 10.46% | -6.54% | 13.98% | -9.78% | 12.47% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTHI and FTQI is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.88 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.90 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.85 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.73 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 7, 2014 | 0.67 |
Over the past year, FTHI and FTQI have become more correlated (0.88) than their long-term average of 0.67, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
FTHI vs. FTQI — Risk / Return Rank
FTHI
FTQI
FTHI vs. FTQI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF (FTHI) and First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI). 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.
| FTHI | FTQI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.86 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.06 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.49 | -0.17 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.83 | 4.38 | -1.55 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.09 | 20.88 | -8.78 |
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Drawdowns
FTHI vs. FTQI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTHI drawdown since its inception was -32.65%, which is greater than FTQI's maximum drawdown of -19.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTHI and FTQI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FTHI | FTQI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -32.65% | -19.42% | -13.23% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.47% | -6.24% | +0.77% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.92% | -19.42% | +3.50% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -16.70% | -19.42% | +2.72% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -32.65% | -19.42% | -13.23% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.71% | -0.90% | +0.19% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.67% | -3.74% | +0.07% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.28% | 1.31% | -0.03% |
Volatility
FTHI vs. FTQI - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF (FTHI) is 2.70%, while First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) has a volatility of 3.26%. This indicates that FTHI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTQI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FTHI | FTQI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.70% | 3.26% | -0.56% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.32% | 8.58% | -1.26% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 9.08% | 10.67% | -1.59% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.43% | 14.83% | -1.40% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 14.29% | 13.33% | +0.96% |
FTHI vs. FTQI - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTHI has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than FTQI's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
FTHI vs. FTQI - Dividend Comparison
FTHI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.72%, less than FTQI's 10.97% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTHI First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF | 8.72% | 8.70% | 8.61% | 8.50% | 9.06% | 4.37% | 4.76% | 4.21% | 4.76% | 4.00% | 4.41% | 4.98% |
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF | 10.97% | 11.46% | 11.66% | 11.49% | 9.85% | 3.05% | 3.27% | 2.95% | 3.27% | 2.74% | 3.02% | 3.54% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FTHI and FTQI have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FTQI has higher volatility (3.26%) compared to FTHI (2.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTHI dropped -32.65% vs FTQI's -19.42%.
On 10-year performance, FTHI leads with 8.66% vs 8.16% for FTQI. On fees, FTQI is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, FTHI has been the lower-risk option at 2.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, FTHI has performed better with a 8.66% return vs 8.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FTQI is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for FTHI.
FTQI has the higher dividend yield at 10.97%, compared with 8.72% for FTHI.
FTHI is categorized as Derivative Income, while FTQI is Nasdaq-100. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for FTHI and 0.75% for FTQI.
FTQI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs 1.71), 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.
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