FTQI vs. QQQI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTQI (First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF) and QQQI (NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. FTQI is passively managed, while QQQI is actively managed. Over the past year, FTQI returned 28.18% vs 30.41% for QQQI. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FTQI charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for QQQI.

Performance

FTQI vs. QQQI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) and NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTQI achieves a 10.78% return, which is significantly lower than QQQI's 13.43% return.

FTQI

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 4.10%
• YTD: 10.78%
• 6M: 11.65%
• 1Y: 28.18%
• 3Y*: 17.12%
• 5Y*: 10.92%
• 10Y*: 8.07%

QQQI

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 6.91%
• YTD: 13.43%
• 6M: 12.92%
• 1Y: 30.41%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FTQI vs. QQQI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	10.78%	12.68%	15.56%
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	13.43%	18.62%	19.83%

Correlation

The correlation between FTQI and QQQI is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2024	0.90

The correlation between FTQI and QQQI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

FTQI vs. QQQI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTQI	QQQI
Technology	35.5%	53.3%
Financial Services	13.3%	0.3%
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	12.1%
Healthcare	8.4%	4.3%
Energy	7.4%	0.7%
Industrials	7.4%	3.3%
Consumer Defensive	5.9%	7.7%
Basic Materials	3.9%	1.2%
Utilities	3.9%	1.5%
Communication Services	3.4%	15.7%
Real Estate	2.0%	0.1%

Return for Risk

FTQI vs. QQQI — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTQI

FTQI Risk / Return Rank: 85
FTQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
FTQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
FTQI Omega Ratio Rank: 85
FTQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
FTQI Martin Ratio Rank: 91

QQQI

QQQI Risk / Return Rank: 68
QQQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
QQQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
QQQI Omega Ratio Rank: 70
QQQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
QQQI Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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. QQQI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) and NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI). 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.

	FTQI	QQQI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.74	2.35	+0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.77	3.12	+0.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.43	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.54	3.18	+1.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	22.02	14.27	+7.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTQI vs. QQQI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTQI Sharpe Ratio is 2.74, which is comparable to the QQQI Sharpe Ratio of 2.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTQI and QQQI, 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

	FTQI	QQQI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.74	2.35	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	1.34	-0.81

Drawdowns

FTQI vs. QQQI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTQI drawdown since its inception was -19.42%, roughly equal to the maximum QQQI drawdown of -20.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTQI and QQQI.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTQI	QQQI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.42%	-20.00%	+0.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.24%	-9.61%	+3.37%
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	0.00%	-0.17%	+0.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.76%	-2.20%	-1.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.28%	2.14%	-0.86%

Volatility

FTQI vs. QQQI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) is 1.66%, while NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI) has a volatility of 2.68%. This indicates that FTQI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTQI	QQQI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.66%	2.68%	-1.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.24%	9.85%	-1.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.33%	12.98%	-2.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.81%	17.07%	-2.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.36%	17.07%	-3.71%

FTQI vs. QQQI - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTQI has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQI's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTQI vs. QQQI - Dividend Comparison

FTQI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.96%, less than QQQI's 13.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	10.96%	11.46%	11.66%	11.49%	9.85%	3.05%	3.27%	2.95%	3.27%	2.74%	3.02%	3.54%
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	13.19%	13.82%	12.85%	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 QQQI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, FTQI and QQQI move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FTQI or QQQI?

QQQI has higher volatility (2.68%) compared to FTQI (1.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTQI dropped -19.42% vs QQQI's -20.00%.

Which ETF is better, FTQI or QQQI?

On 1-year performance, QQQI leads with 30.41% vs 28.18% for FTQI. On fees, QQQI is cheaper at 0.68% per year. On volatility, FTQI has been the lower-risk option at 1.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTQI or QQQI?

Over the 1-year period, QQQI has performed better with a 30.41% return vs 28.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTQI or QQQI?

QQQI is cheaper with a 0.68% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for FTQI.

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

QQQI has the higher dividend yield at 13.19%, compared with 10.96% for FTQI.

What is the main difference between FTQI and QQQI?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Neos. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for FTQI and 0.68% for QQQI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTQI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.74 vs 2.35), 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.