QQEW vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QQEW (First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQEW is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QQEW returned 14.57%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QQEW charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

QQEW vs. SPY - 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 State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQEW achieves a 12.15% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, QQEW has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 14.57%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

QQEW

• 1D: -0.78%
• 1M: 14.51%
• YTD: 12.15%
• 6M: 10.58%
• 1Y: 20.94%
• 3Y*: 16.13%
• 5Y*: 8.78%
• 10Y*: 14.57%

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

QQEW vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QQEW First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund	12.15%	14.22%	7.00%	33.31%	-24.59%	17.75%	37.30%	35.87%	-5.30%	26.04%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between QQEW and SPY 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	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 3, 2006	0.89

The correlation between QQEW and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

QQEW vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQEW	SPY
Technology	55.9%	35.9%
Healthcare	14.7%	8.4%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	10.3%
Communication Services	10.3%	11.3%
Industrials	3.3%	7.8%
Consumer Defensive	2.0%	4.8%
Real Estate	1.6%	1.9%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Energy	-	3.6%
Financial Services	-	11.8%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

QQEW vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQEW

QQEW Risk / Return Rank: 31
QQEW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
QQEW Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
QQEW Omega Ratio Rank: 32
QQEW Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
QQEW Martin Ratio Rank: 28

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. SPY - 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 State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.25	2.38	-1.13
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.81	3.24	-1.43
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.43	-0.21
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.34	3.16	-1.83
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.09	14.72	-10.63
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. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQEW Sharpe Ratio is 1.25, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQEW and SPY, 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

	QQEW	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.25	2.38	-1.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	0.82	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70	0.87	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.59	-0.05

Drawdowns

QQEW vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQEW drawdown since its inception was -58.16%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQEW and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQEW	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.16%	-55.19%	-2.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.74%	-8.88%	-6.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.43%	-18.76%	-2.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.12%	-24.50%	-7.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.12%	-33.72%	+1.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.53%	-0.70%	-0.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.30%	-9.05%	+0.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.13%	1.91%	+3.22%

Volatility

QQEW vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund (QQEW) has a higher volatility of 5.54% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that QQEW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQEW	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.54%	2.84%	+2.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.85%	8.90%	+4.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.81%	11.83%	+4.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.76%	17.05%	+3.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.87%	17.94%	+2.93%

QQEW vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQEW has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQEW vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

QQEW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.28%, less than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQEW First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund	0.28%	0.41%	0.57%	0.70%	0.66%	0.24%	0.34%	0.48%	0.56%	0.48%	0.73%	0.61%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQEW and SPY in my portfolio?

QQEW and SPY 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, QQEW or SPY?

QQEW has higher volatility (5.54%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQEW dropped -58.16% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, QQEW or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.49% vs 14.57% for QQEW. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQEW or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.49% return vs 14.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQEW or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for QQEW.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.28% for QQEW.

What is the main difference between QQEW and SPY?

QQEW is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while SPY is S&P 500. QQEW tracks NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for QQEW and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.25), 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.