GHM vs. QTEC

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GHM (Graham Corporation) is a stock, while QTEC (First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index. Over the past 10 years, GHM returned 20.70%/yr vs 22.85%/yr for QTEC. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

GHM vs. QTEC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Graham Corporation (GHM) 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, GHM achieves a 68.08% return, which is significantly higher than QTEC's 43.17% return. Over the past 10 years, GHM has underperformed QTEC with an annualized return of 20.70%, while QTEC has yielded a comparatively higher 22.85% annualized return.

GHM

• 1D: 3.94%
• 1M: 10.30%
• YTD: 68.08%
• 6M: 83.26%
• 1Y: 164.03%
• 3Y*: 109.98%
• 5Y*: 49.77%
• 10Y*: 20.70%

QTEC

• 1D: -1.08%
• 1M: 18.57%
• YTD: 43.17%
• 6M: 39.34%
• 1Y: 64.90%
• 3Y*: 32.59%
• 5Y*: 17.36%
• 10Y*: 22.85%

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

GHM vs. QTEC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GHM Graham Corporation	68.08%	44.43%	134.42%	97.19%	-22.67%	-15.50%	-28.39%	-2.28%	10.81%	-3.80%
QTEC First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund	43.17%	22.28%	7.32%	67.02%	-39.83%	26.89%	38.76%	48.22%	-4.62%	37.78%

Correlation

The correlation between GHM and QTEC is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 3, 2006	0.39

The correlation between GHM and QTEC shifts across timeframes, from 0.30 (10 years) to 0.44 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GHM vs. QTEC — Risk / Return Rank

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

GHM

GHM Risk / Return Rank: 94
GHM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
GHM Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
GHM Omega Ratio Rank: 90
GHM Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
GHM Martin Ratio Rank: 96

QTEC

QTEC Risk / Return Rank: 79
QTEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
QTEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
QTEC Omega Ratio Rank: 77
QTEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
QTEC Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

GHM vs. QTEC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Graham Corporation (GHM) 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.

	GHM	QTEC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.25	2.84	+0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.29	3.54	-0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.45	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.06	4.07	+4.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	22.27	13.17	+9.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GHM vs. QTEC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GHM Sharpe Ratio is 3.25, which is comparable to the QTEC Sharpe Ratio of 2.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GHM 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

	GHM	QTEC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.25	2.84	+0.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.02	0.60	+0.42
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46	0.83	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.60	-0.35

Drawdowns

GHM vs. QTEC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GHM drawdown since its inception was -86.11%, which is greater than QTEC's maximum drawdown of -58.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GHM and QTEC.

Drawdown Indicators

	GHM	QTEC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-86.11%	-58.86%	-27.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.21%	-16.03%	-2.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-46.46%	-29.00%	-17.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-54.28%	-45.54%	-8.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-74.83%	-45.54%	-29.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.08%	+1.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-47.41%	-9.89%	-37.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.40%	4.94%	+2.46%

Volatility

GHM vs. QTEC - Volatility Comparison

Graham Corporation (GHM) has a higher volatility of 12.77% compared to First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC) at 7.51%. This indicates that GHM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QTEC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GHM	QTEC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.77%	7.51%	+5.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	36.71%	18.24%	+18.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	50.73%	22.97%	+27.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	48.97%	29.17%	+19.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	44.99%	27.50%	+17.49%

Dividends

GHM vs. QTEC - Dividend Comparison

Neither GHM nor QTEC has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GHM Graham Corporation	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	3.54%	2.90%	1.92%	1.66%	1.72%	1.63%	1.90%
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 GHM and QTEC in my portfolio?

GHM and QTEC have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GHM or QTEC?

GHM has higher volatility (12.77%) compared to QTEC (7.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GHM dropped -86.11% vs QTEC's -58.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GHM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.25 vs 2.84), 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.