FTQI vs. FTHI
FTQI (First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF) and FTHI (First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTQI is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, while FTHI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by First Trust. FTQI is passively managed, while FTHI is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTQI returned 8.16%/yr vs 8.66%/yr for FTHI. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FTQI charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for FTHI.
Performance
FTQI vs. FTHI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTQI achieves a 10.72% return, which is significantly higher than FTHI's 4.88% return. Over the past 10 years, FTQI has underperformed FTHI with an annualized return of 8.16%, while FTHI has yielded a comparatively higher 8.66% annualized return.
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
- 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 vs. FTHI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
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% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTQI and FTHI 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, FTQI and FTHI 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
FTQI vs. FTHI — Risk / Return Rank
FTQI
FTHI
FTQI vs. FTHI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) and First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF (FTHI). 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.
| FTQI | FTHI | 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 | 1.49 | 1.32 | +0.17 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.38 | 2.83 | +1.55 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 20.88 | 12.09 | +8.78 |
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Drawdowns
FTQI vs. FTHI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTQI drawdown since its inception was -19.42%, smaller than the maximum FTHI drawdown of -32.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTQI and FTHI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FTQI | FTHI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.42% | -32.65% | +13.23% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.24% | -5.47% | -0.77% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.42% | -15.92% | -3.50% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -19.42% | -16.70% | -2.72% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -19.42% | -32.65% | +13.23% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.90% | -0.71% | -0.19% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.74% | -3.67% | -0.07% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.31% | 1.28% | +0.03% |
Volatility
FTQI vs. FTHI - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) has a higher volatility of 3.26% compared to First Trust BuyWrite Income ETF (FTHI) at 2.70%. This indicates that FTQI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTHI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FTQI | FTHI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.26% | 2.70% | +0.56% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.58% | 7.32% | +1.26% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.67% | 9.08% | +1.59% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.83% | 13.43% | +1.40% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.33% | 14.29% | -0.96% |
FTQI vs. FTHI - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTQI has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than FTHI's 0.85% expense ratio.
Dividends
FTQI vs. FTHI - Dividend Comparison
FTQI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.97%, more than FTHI's 8.72% 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
FTQI and FTHI 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, FTQI dropped -19.42% vs FTHI's -32.65%.
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.
FTQI is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while FTHI is Derivative Income. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for FTQI and 0.85% for FTHI.
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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