FTQI vs. QEW

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

FTQI (First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF) and QEW (Invesco QQQ Equal Weight ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds - FTQI tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index while QEW tracks the Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index. Both are passively managed. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FTQI charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for QEW.

Performance

FTQI vs. QEW - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

FTQI

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.53%
• YTD: 10.72%
• 6M: 9.99%
• 1Y: 26.22%
• 3Y*: 16.88%
• 5Y*: 10.94%
• 10Y*: 8.16%

QEW

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 1.82%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FTQI vs. QEW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	10.58%
QEW Invesco QQQ Equal Weight ETF	17.55%

Correlation

The correlation between FTQI and QEW is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 18, 2026	0.79

Return for Risk

FTQI vs. QEW — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTQI

FTQI Risk / Return Rank: 87
FTQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
FTQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
FTQI Omega Ratio Rank: 86
FTQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
FTQI Martin Ratio Rank: 92

QEW

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

FTQI vs. QEW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) and Invesco QQQ Equal Weight ETF (QEW). 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	QEW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.48	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.41	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.22	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.11	—	—

Drawdowns

FTQI vs. QEW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTQI drawdown since its inception was -19.42%, which is greater than QEW's maximum drawdown of -5.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTQI and QEW.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTQI	QEW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.42%	-5.87%	-13.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.24%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.42%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.42%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.42%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.90%	-3.20%	+2.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.74%	-1.14%	-2.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.31%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	FTQI	QEW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.26%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.52%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.64%	20.25%	-9.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.83%	20.25%	-5.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.33%	20.25%	-6.92%

FTQI vs. QEW - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTQI has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than QEW's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTQI vs. QEW - Dividend Comparison

FTQI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.97%, more than QEW's 0.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
QEW Invesco QQQ Equal Weight ETF	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	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 FTQI and QEW in my portfolio?

FTQI and QEW have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, FTQI or QEW?

On fees, QEW is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTQI or QEW?

QEW is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for FTQI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTQI or QEW?

FTQI has the higher dividend yield at 10.97%, compared with 0.11% for QEW.

What is the main difference between FTQI and QEW?

FTQI tracks NASDAQ-100 Index, while QEW tracks Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for FTQI and 0.25% for QEW.