FTQI vs. RDVY

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

FTQI (First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF) and RDVY (First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTQI is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, while RDVY is a Dividend fund tracking the Nasdaq US Rising Dividend Achievers Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTQI returned 8.38%/yr vs 16.30%/yr for RDVY. Their 0.59 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FTQI charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for RDVY.

Performance

FTQI vs. RDVY - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTQI achieves a 14.01% return, which is significantly lower than RDVY's 20.51% return. Over the past 10 years, FTQI has underperformed RDVY with an annualized return of 8.38%, while RDVY has yielded a comparatively higher 16.30% annualized return.

FTQI

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: 0.97%
• 6M: 14.35%
• YTD: 14.01%
• 1Y: 25.27%
• 3Y*: 17.45%
• 5Y*: 12.21%
• 10Y*: 8.38%
• ALL TIME*: 7.14%

RDVY

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 3.53%
• 6M: 16.51%
• YTD: 20.51%
• 1Y: 32.50%
• 3Y*: 21.17%
• 5Y*: 13.20%
• 10Y*: 16.30%
• ALL TIME*: 13.99%

*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)
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	$11.50M	$8.69M	$6.02M
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	$91.69M	$83.15M	$85.66M

FTQI vs. RDVY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	14.01%	12.68%	18.30%	23.63%	-8.77%	10.46%	-6.54%	13.98%	-9.78%	12.47%
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	20.51%	18.90%	16.41%	20.38%	-13.27%	31.14%	13.47%	37.71%	-9.92%	22.75%

Correlation

The correlation between FTQI and RDVY is 0.72, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.74
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 7, 2014	0.60

The correlation between FTQI and RDVY shifts across timeframes, from 0.59 (all time) to 0.74 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FTQI vs. RDVY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTQI	RDVY
Technology	47.4%	19.4%
Consumer Cyclical	11.6%	11.1%
Communication Services	8.5%	4.2%
Healthcare	7.6%	5.6%
Consumer Defensive	7.4%	2.8%
Industrials	6.3%	12.5%
Financial Services	5.2%	38.9%
Energy	2.2%	2.8%
Utilities	1.5%	1.4%
Real Estate	1.1%	-
Basic Materials	1.1%	-

Return for Risk

FTQI vs. RDVY — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTQI

FTQI Risk / Return Rank: 88
FTQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
FTQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
FTQI Omega Ratio Rank: 86
FTQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
FTQI Martin Ratio Rank: 93

RDVY

RDVY Risk / Return Rank: 86
RDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
RDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
RDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 82
RDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
RDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

FTQI vs. RDVY - 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 Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY). 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	RDVY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	2.23	+0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.16	3.16	0.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.38	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.07	3.61	+0.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.34	15.16	+3.18

FTQI vs. RDVY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTQI Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is comparable to the RDVY Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTQI and RDVY, 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

FTQI vs. RDVY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTQI drawdown since its inception was -19.42%, smaller than the maximum RDVY drawdown of -40.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTQI and RDVY.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTQI	RDVY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.42%	-40.60%	+21.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.24%	-9.04%	+2.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.42%	-19.11%	-0.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.42%	-25.32%	+5.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.42%	-40.60%	+21.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.18%	0.00%	-0.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.72%	-4.94%	+1.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.38%	2.15%	-0.77%

Volatility

FTQI vs. RDVY - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) and First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) have volatilities of 3.82% and 3.75%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTQI	RDVY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.82%	3.75%	+0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.19%	11.38%	-2.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.24%	14.62%	-3.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.80%	18.94%	-4.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.94%	21.03%	-8.09%

FTQI vs. RDVY - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTQI has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than RDVY's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTQI vs. RDVY - Dividend Comparison

FTQI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.03%, more than RDVY's 0.81% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	11.03%	11.46%	11.66%	11.49%	9.85%	3.05%	3.27%	2.95%	3.27%	2.74%	3.02%	3.54%
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	0.81%	1.11%	1.64%	2.09%	2.21%	1.04%	1.53%	1.55%	1.68%	1.25%	2.07%	2.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTQI and RDVY in my portfolio?

FTQI and RDVY have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTQI or RDVY?

FTQI has higher volatility (3.82%) compared to RDVY (3.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTQI dropped -19.42% vs RDVY's -40.60%.

Which ETF is better, FTQI or RDVY?

On 10-year performance, RDVY leads with 16.30% vs 8.38% for FTQI. On fees, RDVY is cheaper at 0.47% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTQI or RDVY?

Over the 10-year period, RDVY has performed better with a 16.30% return vs 8.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTQI or RDVY?

RDVY is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for FTQI.

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

FTQI has the higher dividend yield at 11.03%, compared with 0.81% for RDVY.

What is the main difference between FTQI and RDVY?

FTQI is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while RDVY is Dividend. FTQI tracks NASDAQ-100 Index, while RDVY tracks Nasdaq US Rising Dividend Achievers Index. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for FTQI and 0.47% for RDVY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTQI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 2.23), 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.