QQEW vs. DARP

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund (QQEW) and Grizzle Growth ETF (DARP).

QQEW and DARP are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. QQEW is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index. It was launched on Apr 19, 2006. DARP is an actively managed fund by Grizzle. It was launched on Dec 15, 2021.

Performance

QQEW vs. DARP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund (QQEW) and Grizzle Growth ETF (DARP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

QQEW vs. DARP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
QQEW First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund	-10.65%	14.22%	7.00%	11.21%
DARP Grizzle Growth ETF	4.29%	40.19%	24.63%	6.25%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQEW achieves a -10.65% return, which is significantly lower than DARP's 4.29% return.

QQEW

• 1D: 3.19%
• 1M: -5.30%
• YTD: -10.65%
• 6M: -9.89%
• 1Y: 5.33%
• 3Y*: 8.63%
• 5Y*: 4.39%
• 10Y*: 12.12%

DARP

• 1D: 3.09%
• 1M: -6.88%
• YTD: 4.29%
• 6M: 13.93%
• 1Y: 64.15%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QQEW vs. DARP - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQEW has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is lower than DARP's 0.75% expense ratio.

DARP

Grizzle Growth ETF

QQEW

First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund

Return for Risk

QQEW vs. DARP — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQEW

QQEW Risk / Return Rank: 20
QQEW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
QQEW Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
QQEW Omega Ratio Rank: 20
QQEW Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
QQEW Martin Ratio Rank: 20

DARP

DARP Risk / Return Rank: 93
DARP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
DARP Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
DARP Omega Ratio Rank: 91
DARP Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
DARP Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

QQEW vs. DARP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund (QQEW) and Grizzle Growth ETF (DARP). 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.

	QQEW	DARP	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.25	2.19	-1.94
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.51	2.73	-2.22
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.39	-0.32
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.33	3.97	-3.64
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.08	16.42	-15.34
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QQEW vs. DARP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQEW Sharpe Ratio is 0.25, which is lower than the DARP Sharpe Ratio of 2.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQEW and DARP, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QQEW	DARP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25	2.19	-1.94
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.21	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	1.11	-0.62

Correlation

The correlation between QQEW and DARP is 0.75, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

QQEW vs. DARP - Dividend Comparison

QQEW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.35%, less than DARP's 0.42% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQEW First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund	0.35%	0.41%	0.57%	0.70%	0.66%	0.24%	0.34%	0.48%	0.56%	0.48%	0.73%	0.61%
DARP Grizzle Growth ETF	0.42%	0.43%	1.93%	0.32%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

QQEW vs. DARP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQEW drawdown since its inception was -58.16%, which is greater than DARP's maximum drawdown of -30.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQEW and DARP.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQEW	DARP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.16%	-30.27%	-27.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.74%	-15.92%	+0.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.12%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.12%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.05%	-9.09%	-3.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.33%	-4.84%	-3.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.76%	3.85%	+0.91%

Volatility

QQEW vs. DARP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund (QQEW) is 6.69%, while Grizzle Growth ETF (DARP) has a volatility of 9.51%. This indicates that QQEW experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DARP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQEW	DARP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.69%	9.51%	-2.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.88%	19.28%	-6.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.82%	29.51%	-7.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.62%	26.42%	-5.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.78%	26.42%	-5.64%