QDTE vs. FTQI

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

QDTE (Roundhill Innovation-100 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF) and FTQI (First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QDTE is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Roundhill, while FTQI is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. QDTE is actively managed, while FTQI is passively managed. Over the past year, QDTE returned 26.73% vs 26.34% for FTQI. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QDTE charges 0.97%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for FTQI.

Performance

QDTE vs. FTQI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Roundhill Innovation-100 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (QDTE) and First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI). 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 QDTE having a 12.40% return and FTQI slightly higher at 12.76%.

QDTE

• 1D: -1.63%
• 1M: -1.88%
• 6M: 11.11%
• YTD: 12.40%
• 1Y: 26.73%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FTQI

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 1.28%
• 6M: 11.68%
• YTD: 12.76%
• 1Y: 26.34%
• 3Y*: 16.62%
• 5Y*: 12.26%
• 10Y*: 7.85%

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

QDTE vs. FTQI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QDTE Roundhill Innovation-100 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF	12.40%	19.32%	17.13%
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	12.76%	12.68%	12.63%

Correlation

The correlation between QDTE and FTQI is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 7, 2024	0.88

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

QDTE vs. FTQI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QDTE	FTQI
Financial Services	5.3%	5.5%
Basic Materials	-	1.4%
Communication Services	-	11.8%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.5%
Consumer Defensive	-	6.2%
Energy	-	2.3%
Healthcare	-	6.0%
Industrials	-	4.1%
Real Estate	-	1.3%
Technology	-	49.4%
Utilities	-	1.5%

Return for Risk

QDTE vs. FTQI — Risk / Return Rank

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

QDTE

QDTE Risk / Return Rank: 59
QDTE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
QDTE Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
QDTE Omega Ratio Rank: 54
QDTE Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
QDTE Martin Ratio Rank: 68

FTQI

FTQI Risk / Return Rank: 91
FTQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
FTQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
FTQI Omega Ratio Rank: 90
FTQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
FTQI Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

QDTE vs. FTQI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Roundhill Innovation-100 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (QDTE) and First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI). 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.

	QDTE	FTQI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	2.43	-0.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.04	3.37	-1.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.45	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.63	4.24	-1.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.81	20.07	-10.26

QDTE vs. FTQI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QDTE Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is lower than the FTQI Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QDTE and FTQI, 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

QDTE vs. FTQI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QDTE drawdown since its inception was -22.86%, which is greater than FTQI's maximum drawdown of -19.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDTE and FTQI.

Drawdown Indicators

	QDTE	FTQI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.86%	-19.42%	-3.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.20%	-6.24%	-3.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.42%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.42%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-19.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.74%	-0.85%	-2.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.12%	-3.73%	+0.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.73%	1.32%	+1.41%

Volatility

QDTE vs. FTQI - Volatility Comparison

Roundhill Innovation-100 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (QDTE) has a higher volatility of 7.02% compared to First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) at 2.92%. This indicates that QDTE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTQI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QDTE	FTQI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.02%	2.92%	+4.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.19%	8.83%	+5.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.35%	10.87%	+6.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.06%	14.82%	+4.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.06%	12.98%	+6.08%

QDTE vs. FTQI - Expense Ratio Comparison

QDTE has a 0.97% expense ratio, which is higher than FTQI's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

QDTE vs. FTQI - Dividend Comparison

QDTE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 46.23%, more than FTQI's 10.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	10.92%	11.46%	11.66%	11.49%	9.85%	3.05%	3.27%	2.95%	3.27%	2.74%	3.02%	3.54%
QDTE Roundhill Innovation-100 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF	46.23%	49.49%	32.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QDTE and FTQI in my portfolio?

QDTE and FTQI have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QDTE or FTQI?

QDTE has higher volatility (7.02%) compared to FTQI (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QDTE dropped -22.86% vs FTQI's -19.42%.

Which ETF is better, QDTE or FTQI?

On 1-year performance, QDTE leads with 26.73% vs 26.34% for FTQI. On fees, FTQI is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, FTQI has been the lower-risk option at 2.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QDTE or FTQI?

Over the 1-year period, QDTE has performed better with a 26.73% return vs 26.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QDTE or FTQI?

FTQI is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.97% for QDTE.

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

QDTE has the higher dividend yield at 46.23%, compared with 10.92% for FTQI.

What is the main difference between QDTE and FTQI?

QDTE is categorized as Derivative Income, while FTQI is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Roundhill and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.97% for QDTE and 0.75% for FTQI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTQI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 1.55), 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.