FTQI vs. VOO

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FTQI (First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTQI is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTQI returned 8.00%/yr vs 15.55%/yr for VOO. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FTQI charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

FTQI vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with FTQI having a 11.03% return and VOO slightly higher at 11.34%. Over the past 10 years, FTQI has underperformed VOO with an annualized return of 8.00%, while VOO has yielded a comparatively higher 15.55% annualized return.

FTQI

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 4.05%
• YTD: 11.03%
• 6M: 11.53%
• 1Y: 28.07%
• 3Y*: 17.30%
• 5Y*: 10.97%
• 10Y*: 8.00%

VOO

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 4.62%
• YTD: 11.34%
• 6M: 11.27%
• 1Y: 28.62%
• 3Y*: 22.68%
• 5Y*: 13.98%
• 10Y*: 15.55%

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

FTQI vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	11.03%	12.68%	18.30%	23.63%	-8.77%	10.46%	-6.54%	13.98%	-9.78%	12.47%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	11.34%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-4.50%	21.77%

Correlation

The correlation between FTQI and VOO is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 8, 2014	0.64

Over the past year, FTQI and VOO have become more correlated (0.90) than their long-term average of 0.64, meaning their price movements have been converging.

FTQI vs. VOO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTQI	VOO
Technology	35.5%	35.7%
Financial Services	13.3%	11.6%
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	10.2%
Healthcare	8.4%	8.5%
Energy	7.4%	3.5%
Industrials	7.4%	8.3%
Consumer Defensive	5.9%	4.9%
Basic Materials	3.9%	1.8%
Utilities	3.9%	2.4%
Communication Services	3.4%	11.3%
Real Estate	2.0%	1.9%

Return for Risk

FTQI vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTQI

FTQI Risk / Return Rank: 86
FTQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
FTQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
FTQI Omega Ratio Rank: 86
FTQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
FTQI Martin Ratio Rank: 91

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 74
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 75
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.73	2.44	+0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.76	3.31	+0.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.44	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.52	3.23	+1.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.94	15.03	+6.91
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. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTQI Sharpe Ratio is 2.73, which is comparable to the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 2.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTQI and VOO, 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	VOO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.73	2.44	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	0.84	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.87	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.89	-0.36

Drawdowns

FTQI vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTQI drawdown since its inception was -19.42%, smaller than the maximum VOO drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTQI and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTQI	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.42%	-33.99%	+14.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.24%	-8.90%	+2.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.42%	-18.69%	-0.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.42%	-24.52%	+5.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.42%	-33.99%	+14.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.32%	+0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.75%	-3.69%	-0.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.28%	1.91%	-0.63%

Volatility

FTQI vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) is 1.66%, while Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) has a volatility of 2.78%. This indicates that FTQI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTQI	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.66%	2.78%	-1.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.24%	8.90%	-0.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.33%	11.80%	-1.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.81%	16.81%	-2.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.35%	18.00%	-4.65%

FTQI vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTQI has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTQI vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

FTQI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.94%, more than VOO's 1.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	10.94%	11.46%	11.66%	11.49%	9.85%	3.05%	3.27%	2.95%	3.27%	2.74%	3.02%	3.54%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.02%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTQI and VOO in my portfolio?

FTQI and VOO have a correlation of 0.90, 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 VOO?

VOO has higher volatility (2.78%) compared to FTQI (1.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTQI dropped -19.42% vs VOO's -33.99%.

Which ETF is better, FTQI or VOO?

On 10-year performance, VOO leads with 15.55% vs 8.00% for FTQI. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% 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 VOO?

Over the 10-year period, VOO has performed better with a 15.55% return vs 8.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTQI or VOO?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for FTQI.

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

FTQI has the higher dividend yield at 10.94%, compared with 1.02% for VOO.

What is the main difference between FTQI and VOO?

FTQI is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while VOO is S&P 500. FTQI tracks NASDAQ-100 Index, while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for FTQI and 0.03% for VOO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTQI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.73 vs 2.44), 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.