FTHI vs. QQA

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FTHI (First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF) and QQA (Invesco QQQ Income Advantage ETF) are both Derivative Income funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, FTHI returned 13.20% vs 20.59% for QQA. Their correlation of 0.83 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FTHI charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for QQA.

Performance

FTHI vs. QQA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF (FTHI) and Invesco QQQ Income Advantage ETF (QQA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTHI achieves a 5.42% return, which is significantly lower than QQA's 9.17% return.

FTHI

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.46%
• 6M: 4.06%
• YTD: 5.42%
• 1Y: 13.20%
• 3Y*: 13.23%
• 5Y*: 11.02%
• 10Y*: 8.29%
• ALL TIME*: 7.65%

QQA

• 1D: 0.79%
• 1M: -2.29%
• 6M: 7.72%
• YTD: 9.17%
• 1Y: 20.59%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.11%

*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)
FTHI First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF	$23.68M	$20.77M	$17.60M
QQA Invesco QQQ Income Advantage ETF	$6.94M	$6.91M	$6.83M

FTHI vs. QQA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FTHI First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF	5.42%	11.03%	5.91%
QQA Invesco QQQ Income Advantage ETF	9.17%	17.24%	5.92%

Correlation

The correlation between FTHI and QQA is 0.82, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 17, 2024	0.83

The correlation between FTHI and QQA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FTHI vs. QQA — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTHI

FTHI Risk / Return Rank: 60
FTHI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
FTHI Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
FTHI Omega Ratio Rank: 54
FTHI Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
FTHI Martin Ratio Rank: 75

QQA

QQA Risk / Return Rank: 56
QQA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
QQA Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
QQA Omega Ratio Rank: 49
QQA Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
QQA Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

FTHI vs. QQA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF (FTHI) and Invesco QQQ Income Advantage ETF (QQA). 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	QQA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.29	1.25	+0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.90	1.78	+0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.22	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.24	2.17	+0.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.35	7.99	+1.36

FTHI vs. QQA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTHI Sharpe Ratio is 1.29, which is comparable to the QQA Sharpe Ratio of 1.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTHI and QQA, 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

FTHI vs. QQA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTHI drawdown since its inception was -32.65%, which is greater than QQA's maximum drawdown of -19.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTHI and QQA.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTHI	QQA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.65%	-19.73%	-12.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.47%	-8.76%	+3.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.92%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.70%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.65%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.84%	-4.91%	+4.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.64%	-2.57%	-1.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.31%	2.37%	-1.06%

Volatility

FTHI vs. QQA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF (FTHI) is 2.97%, while Invesco QQQ Income Advantage ETF (QQA) has a volatility of 5.74%. This indicates that FTHI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTHI	QQA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.97%	5.74%	-2.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.63%	12.66%	-5.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.50%	15.25%	-5.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.38%	18.67%	-5.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.17%	18.67%	-4.50%

FTHI vs. QQA - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTHI has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than QQA's 0.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTHI vs. QQA - Dividend Comparison

FTHI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.88%, less than QQA's 10.14% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTHI First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF	8.88%	8.70%	8.61%	8.50%	9.06%	4.37%	4.76%	4.21%	4.76%	4.00%	4.41%	4.98%
QQA Invesco QQQ Income Advantage ETF	10.14%	9.78%	4.29%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTHI and QQA in my portfolio?

FTHI and QQA have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTHI or QQA?

QQA has higher volatility (5.74%) compared to FTHI (2.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTHI dropped -32.65% vs QQA's -19.73%.

Which ETF is better, FTHI or QQA?

On 1-year performance, QQA leads with 20.59% vs 13.20% for FTHI. On fees, QQA is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, FTHI has been the lower-risk option at 2.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTHI or QQA?

Over the 1-year period, QQA has performed better with a 20.59% return vs 13.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTHI or QQA?

QQA is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for FTHI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTHI or QQA?

QQA has the higher dividend yield at 10.14%, compared with 8.88% for FTHI.

What is the main difference between FTHI and QQA?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for FTHI and 0.29% for QQA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTHI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.29 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.