QQEW vs. NFTY

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

QQEW (First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund) and NFTY (First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQEW is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index, while NFTY is a India Equities fund tracking the NIFTY 50 Equal Weight Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QQEW returned 14.04%/yr vs 7.23%/yr for NFTY. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QQEW charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for NFTY.

Performance

QQEW vs. NFTY - 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 First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF (NFTY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQEW achieves a 9.90% return, which is significantly higher than NFTY's -8.35% return. Over the past 10 years, QQEW has outperformed NFTY with an annualized return of 14.04%, while NFTY has yielded a comparatively lower 7.23% annualized return.

QQEW

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: 0.32%
• 6M: 10.69%
• YTD: 9.90%
• 1Y: 14.61%
• 3Y*: 12.62%
• 5Y*: 7.68%
• 10Y*: 14.04%

NFTY

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: -1.78%
• 6M: -7.54%
• YTD: -8.35%
• 1Y: -9.06%
• 3Y*: 4.29%
• 5Y*: 5.57%
• 10Y*: 7.23%

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

QQEW vs. NFTY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QQEW First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund	9.90%	14.22%	7.00%	33.31%	-24.59%	17.75%	37.30%	35.87%	-5.30%	26.04%
NFTY First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF	-8.35%	5.47%	5.18%	24.00%	-3.46%	26.83%	10.04%	0.58%	-1.51%	21.78%

Correlation

The correlation between QQEW and NFTY is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 28, 2012	0.32

QQEW vs. NFTY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQEW	NFTY
Technology	61.7%	9.0%
Healthcare	13.2%	9.9%
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	16.6%
Communication Services	9.7%	1.9%
Industrials	3.0%	8.5%
Consumer Defensive	2.0%	8.1%
Real Estate	1.6%	-
Basic Materials	-	13.1%
Energy	-	8.5%
Financial Services	-	20.9%
Utilities	-	3.7%

Return for Risk

QQEW vs. NFTY — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQEW

QQEW Risk / Return Rank: 26
QQEW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
QQEW Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
QQEW Omega Ratio Rank: 25
QQEW Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
QQEW Martin Ratio Rank: 26

NFTY

NFTY Risk / Return Rank: 4
NFTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
NFTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
NFTY Omega Ratio Rank: 4
NFTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
NFTY Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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. NFTY - 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 First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF (NFTY). 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.

	QQEW	NFTY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.81	-0.62	+1.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.23	-0.85	+2.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	0.91	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.93	-0.56	+1.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.76	-1.34	+4.10

QQEW vs. NFTY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQEW Sharpe Ratio is 0.81, which is higher than the NFTY Sharpe Ratio of -0.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQEW and NFTY, 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

QQEW vs. NFTY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQEW drawdown since its inception was -58.16%, which is greater than NFTY's maximum drawdown of -47.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQEW and NFTY.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQEW	NFTY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.16%	-47.67%	-10.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.74%	-16.14%	+0.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.43%	-21.55%	+0.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.12%	-21.55%	-10.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.12%	-47.67%	+15.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.51%	-16.22%	+12.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.27%	-9.63%	+1.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.30%	6.82%	-1.52%

Volatility

QQEW vs. NFTY - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund (QQEW) has a higher volatility of 5.19% compared to First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF (NFTY) at 3.01%. This indicates that QQEW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NFTY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQEW	NFTY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.19%	3.01%	+2.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.45%	12.58%	+2.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.17%	14.72%	+3.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.02%	17.40%	+3.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.89%	20.64%	+0.25%

QQEW vs. NFTY - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQEW has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is lower than NFTY's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQEW vs. NFTY - Dividend Comparison

QQEW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.20%, less than NFTY's 1.93% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NFTY First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF	1.93%	1.24%	1.61%	0.13%	5.89%	1.53%	0.61%	0.97%	0.00%	4.10%	3.28%	4.39%
QQEW First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund	0.20%	0.41%	0.57%	0.70%	0.66%	0.24%	0.34%	0.48%	0.56%	0.48%	0.73%	0.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQEW and NFTY in my portfolio?

QQEW and NFTY have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQEW or NFTY?

QQEW has higher volatility (5.19%) compared to NFTY (3.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQEW dropped -58.16% vs NFTY's -47.67%.

Which ETF is better, QQEW or NFTY?

On 10-year performance, QQEW leads with 14.04% vs 7.23% for NFTY. On fees, QQEW is cheaper at 0.58% per year. On volatility, NFTY has been the lower-risk option at 3.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQEW or NFTY?

Over the 10-year period, QQEW has performed better with a 14.04% return vs 7.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQEW or NFTY?

QQEW is cheaper with a 0.58% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for NFTY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QQEW or NFTY?

NFTY has the higher dividend yield at 1.93%, compared with 0.20% for QQEW.

What is the main difference between QQEW and NFTY?

QQEW is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while NFTY is India Equities. QQEW tracks NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index, while NFTY tracks NIFTY 50 Equal Weight Index. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for QQEW and 0.80% for NFTY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQEW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.81 vs -0.62), 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.