QDEC vs. QTEC

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

QDEC (FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December) and QTEC (First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. QDEC is actively managed, while QTEC is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QDEC returned 11.18%/yr vs 17.61%/yr for QTEC. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QDEC charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.57%/yr for QTEC.

Performance

QDEC vs. QTEC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December (QDEC) 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, QDEC achieves a 9.68% return, which is significantly lower than QTEC's 44.73% return.

QDEC

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 3.54%
• YTD: 9.68%
• 6M: 11.24%
• 1Y: 26.45%
• 3Y*: 17.63%
• 5Y*: 11.18%
• 10Y*: —

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)

QDEC vs. QTEC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
QDEC FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December	9.68%	18.12%	16.40%	29.29%	-22.26%	17.23%	1.37%
QTEC First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund	44.73%	22.28%	7.32%	67.02%	-39.83%	26.89%	0.33%

Correlation

The correlation between QDEC and QTEC is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 2020	0.88

The correlation between QDEC and QTEC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

QDEC vs. QTEC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QDEC	QTEC
Technology	54.2%	87.9%
Communication Services	15.5%	6.2%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	4.0%
Consumer Defensive	7.6%	-
Healthcare	4.2%	-
Industrials	2.8%	1.9%
Utilities	1.4%	-
Basic Materials	1.2%	-
Energy	0.6%	-
Financial Services	0.2%	-
Real Estate	0.1%	-

Return for Risk

QDEC vs. QTEC — Risk / Return Rank

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

QDEC

QDEC Risk / Return Rank: 80
QDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
QDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
QDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 84
QDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
QDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

QDEC vs. QTEC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December (QDEC) 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.

	QDEC	QTEC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.72	2.97	-0.26
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.83	3.67	+0.16
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.47	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.55	4.25	-0.70
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	17.00	13.77	+3.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QDEC vs. QTEC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QDEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.72, which is comparable to the QTEC Sharpe Ratio of 2.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QDEC 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

	QDEC	QTEC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.72	2.97	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.61	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.78	0.60	+0.18

Drawdowns

QDEC vs. QTEC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QDEC drawdown since its inception was -25.25%, smaller than the maximum QTEC drawdown of -58.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDEC and QTEC.

Drawdown Indicators

	QDEC	QTEC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.25%	-58.86%	+33.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.58%	-16.03%	+8.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.08%	-29.00%	+12.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.25%	-45.54%	+20.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.54%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.04%	-9.89%	+4.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.58%	4.94%	-3.36%

Volatility

QDEC vs. QTEC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December (QDEC) is 1.35%, while First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC) has a volatility of 7.34%. This indicates that QDEC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QTEC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QDEC	QTEC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.35%	7.34%	-5.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.57%	18.26%	-10.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.79%	22.98%	-13.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.70%	29.19%	-14.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.61%	27.51%	-12.90%

QDEC vs. QTEC - Expense Ratio Comparison

QDEC has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than QTEC's 0.57% expense ratio.

Dividends

QDEC vs. QTEC - Dividend Comparison

Neither QDEC nor QTEC has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QDEC FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF – December	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 QDEC and QTEC in my portfolio?

QDEC and QTEC have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QDEC or QTEC?

QTEC has higher volatility (7.34%) compared to QDEC (1.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QDEC dropped -25.25% vs QTEC's -58.86%.

Which ETF is better, QDEC or QTEC?

On 5-year performance, QTEC leads with 17.61% vs 11.18% for QDEC. On fees, QTEC is cheaper at 0.57% per year. On volatility, QDEC has been the lower-risk option at 1.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QDEC or QTEC?

Over the 5-year period, QTEC has performed better with a 17.61% return vs 11.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QDEC or QTEC?

QTEC is cheaper with a 0.57% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QDEC.

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

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

What is the main difference between QDEC and QTEC?

They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.90% for QDEC and 0.57% for QTEC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QTEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.97 vs 2.72), 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.