QLDY vs. QTEC

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

QLDY (Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF) and QTEC (First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. QLDY is actively managed, while QTEC is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QLDY charges 1.04%/yr vs 0.57%/yr for QTEC.

Performance

QLDY vs. QTEC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF (QLDY) 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, QLDY achieves a 9.82% return, which is significantly lower than QTEC's 32.07% return.

QLDY

• 1D: -2.11%
• 1M: -4.71%
• 6M: 8.93%
• YTD: 9.82%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QTEC

• 1D: -2.73%
• 1M: -6.22%
• 6M: 28.27%
• YTD: 32.07%
• 1Y: 41.63%
• 3Y*: 25.33%
• 5Y*: 14.69%
• 10Y*: 21.34%

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

QLDY vs. QTEC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QLDY Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF	9.82%	1.54%
QTEC First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund	32.07%	3.85%

Correlation

The correlation between QLDY and QTEC is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 18, 2025	0.91

Return for Risk

QLDY vs. QTEC — Risk / Return Rank

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

QLDY

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

QTEC

QTEC Risk / Return Rank: 56
QTEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
QTEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
QTEC Omega Ratio Rank: 50
QTEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
QTEC Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

QLDY vs. QTEC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF (QLDY) 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.

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.

	QLDY	QTEC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.52	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.03	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.26	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.61	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	7.91	—

Drawdowns

QLDY vs. QTEC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLDY drawdown since its inception was -17.44%, smaller than the maximum QTEC drawdown of -58.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLDY and QTEC.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLDY	QTEC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.44%	-58.86%	+41.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-16.03%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-29.00%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-45.54%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.54%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.90%	-9.44%	+1.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.35%	-9.86%	+5.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	5.28%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QLDY	QTEC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	11.26%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	23.41%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.84%	27.47%	-5.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.84%	29.95%	-8.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.84%	27.82%	-5.98%

QLDY vs. QTEC - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLDY has a 1.04% expense ratio, which is higher than QTEC's 0.57% expense ratio.

Dividends

QLDY vs. QTEC - Dividend Comparison

QLDY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 28.28%, more than QTEC's 0.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QLDY Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF	28.28%	9.34%	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	0.01%	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 QLDY and QTEC in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, QLDY 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 ETF is better, QLDY or QTEC?

On fees, QTEC is cheaper at 0.57% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, QLDY or QTEC?

QTEC is cheaper with a 0.57% expense ratio, compared with 1.04% for QLDY.

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

QLDY has the higher dividend yield at 28.28%, compared with 0.01% for QTEC.

What is the main difference between QLDY and QTEC?

They also come from different issuers: Defiance and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 1.04% for QLDY and 0.57% for QTEC.