FXL vs. QTEC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FXL (First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund) and QTEC (First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - FXL is a Technology Equities fund tracking the StrataQuant Technology Index, while QTEC is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FXL returned 21.15%/yr vs 23.00%/yr for QTEC. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FXL charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.57%/yr for QTEC.

Performance

FXL vs. QTEC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) and First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FXL achieves a 31.98% return, which is significantly lower than QTEC's 44.73% return. Over the past 10 years, FXL has underperformed QTEC with an annualized return of 21.15%, while QTEC has yielded a comparatively higher 23.00% annualized return.

FXL

• 1D: -0.88%
• 1M: 17.50%
• YTD: 31.98%
• 6M: 30.18%
• 1Y: 48.07%
• 3Y*: 26.93%
• 5Y*: 13.48%
• 10Y*: 21.15%

QTEC

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 22.39%
• YTD: 44.73%
• 6M: 40.31%
• 1Y: 67.84%
• 3Y*: 32.86%
• 5Y*: 17.61%
• 10Y*: 23.00%

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

FXL vs. QTEC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FXL First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund	31.98%	13.29%	16.13%	40.50%	-30.44%	18.20%	54.20%	38.66%	2.72%	35.82%
QTEC First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund	44.73%	22.28%	7.32%	67.02%	-39.83%	26.89%	38.76%	48.22%	-4.62%	37.78%

Correlation

The correlation between FXL and QTEC is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 2007	0.92

The correlation between FXL and QTEC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

FXL vs. QTEC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FXL	QTEC
Technology	88.1%	87.9%
Communication Services	5.9%	6.2%
Industrials	4.5%	1.9%
Consumer Cyclical	1.0%	4.0%
Financial Services	0.6%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FXL vs. QTEC — Risk / Return Rank

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

FXL

FXL Risk / Return Rank: 63
FXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
FXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
FXL Omega Ratio Rank: 57
FXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
FXL Martin Ratio Rank: 65

QTEC

QTEC Risk / Return Rank: 80
QTEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
QTEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
QTEC Omega Ratio Rank: 78
QTEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
QTEC Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

FXL vs. QTEC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) and First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC). 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.

	FXL	QTEC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	2.97	-0.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.84	3.67	-0.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.47	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.56	4.25	-0.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.95	13.77	-1.82
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FXL vs. QTEC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXL Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is comparable to the QTEC Sharpe Ratio of 2.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXL and QTEC, 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

	FXL	QTEC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.16	2.97	-0.81
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.61	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	0.84	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.60	-0.05

Drawdowns

FXL vs. QTEC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXL drawdown since its inception was -61.41%, roughly equal to the maximum QTEC drawdown of -58.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXL and QTEC.

Drawdown Indicators

	FXL	QTEC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.41%	-58.86%	-2.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.56%	-16.03%	+2.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.27%	-29.00%	+0.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.49%	-45.54%	+7.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.49%	-45.54%	+7.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.88%	0.00%	-0.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.37%	-9.89%	-1.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.03%	4.94%	-0.91%

Volatility

FXL vs. QTEC - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) and First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC) have volatilities of 7.61% and 7.34%, 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

	FXL	QTEC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.61%	7.34%	+0.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.47%	18.26%	-0.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.42%	22.98%	-0.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.12%	29.19%	-4.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.28%	27.51%	-2.23%

FXL vs. QTEC - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXL has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is higher than QTEC's 0.57% expense ratio.

Dividends

FXL vs. QTEC - Dividend Comparison

Neither FXL nor QTEC has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FXL First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund	0.00%	0.01%	0.11%	0.41%	0.34%	0.11%	0.04%	0.37%	0.32%	0.27%	1.12%	0.36%
QTEC First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.02%	0.14%	0.15%	0.02%	0.44%	0.68%	0.91%	0.80%	1.29%	0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FXL and QTEC in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, FXL and QTEC 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, FXL or QTEC?

FXL has higher volatility (7.61%) compared to QTEC (7.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXL dropped -61.41% vs QTEC's -58.86%.

Which ETF is better, FXL or QTEC?

On 10-year performance, QTEC leads with 23.00% vs 21.15% for FXL. On fees, QTEC is cheaper at 0.57% per year. On volatility, QTEC has been the lower-risk option at 7.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FXL or QTEC?

Over the 10-year period, QTEC has performed better with a 23.00% return vs 21.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FXL or QTEC?

QTEC is cheaper with a 0.57% expense ratio, compared with 0.61% for FXL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FXL or QTEC?

FXL and QTEC have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between FXL and QTEC?

FXL is categorized as Technology Equities, while QTEC is Nasdaq-100. FXL tracks StrataQuant Technology Index, while QTEC tracks NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.61% for FXL and 0.57% for QTEC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QTEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.97 vs 2.16), 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.