QQQA vs. FTQI

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

QQQA (ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF) and FTQI (First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds - QQQA tracks the NASDAQ-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum Index - Benchmark TR Gross while FTQI tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QQQA returned 12.90%/yr vs 12.16%/yr for FTQI. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QQQA charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for FTQI.

Performance

QQQA vs. FTQI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF (QQQA) and First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQA achieves a 52.29% return, which is significantly higher than FTQI's 13.47% return.

QQQA

• 1D: 1.90%
• 1M: -6.92%
• 6M: 44.24%
• YTD: 52.29%
• 1Y: 69.14%
• 3Y*: 28.26%
• 5Y*: 12.90%
• 10Y*: —

FTQI

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: 2.57%
• 6M: 12.18%
• YTD: 13.47%
• 1Y: 27.46%
• 3Y*: 16.95%
• 5Y*: 12.16%
• 10Y*: 7.67%

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

QQQA vs. FTQI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
QQQA ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF	52.29%	9.87%	16.17%	24.98%	-29.08%	9.84%
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	13.47%	12.68%	18.30%	23.63%	-8.77%	2.70%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQA and FTQI is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 20, 2021	0.74

The correlation between QQQA and FTQI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

QQQA vs. FTQI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQA	FTQI
Technology	76.2%	49.4%
Communication Services	7.5%	11.8%
Healthcare	6.5%	6.0%
Energy	6.3%	2.3%
Consumer Cyclical	3.5%	10.5%
Basic Materials	-	1.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	6.2%
Financial Services	-	5.5%
Industrials	-	4.1%
Real Estate	-	1.3%
Utilities	-	1.5%

Return for Risk

QQQA vs. FTQI — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQA

QQQA Risk / Return Rank: 82
QQQA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
QQQA Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
QQQA Omega Ratio Rank: 76
QQQA Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
QQQA Martin Ratio Rank: 88

FTQI

FTQI Risk / Return Rank: 92
FTQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
FTQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
FTQI Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FTQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
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.

QQQA vs. FTQI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF (QQQA) 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.

	QQQA	FTQI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.12	2.54	-0.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	3.51	-0.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.48	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.77	4.42	+0.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.65	20.95	-6.30

QQQA vs. FTQI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQA Sharpe Ratio is 2.12, which is comparable to the FTQI Sharpe Ratio of 2.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQA 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

QQQA vs. FTQI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQA drawdown since its inception was -38.44%, which is greater than FTQI's maximum drawdown of -19.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQA and FTQI.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQA	FTQI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.44%	-19.42%	-19.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.58%	-6.24%	-8.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.84%	-19.42%	-11.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.44%	-19.42%	-19.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-19.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.96%	-0.22%	-12.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.48%	-3.73%	-11.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.74%	1.31%	+3.43%

Volatility

QQQA vs. FTQI - Volatility Comparison

ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF (QQQA) has a higher volatility of 16.98% compared to First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) at 2.91%. This indicates that QQQA'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

	QQQA	FTQI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.98%	2.91%	+14.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	29.58%	8.79%	+20.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.85%	10.84%	+22.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.32%	14.82%	+12.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.02%	12.99%	+14.03%

QQQA vs. FTQI - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQA has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is lower than FTQI's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQA vs. FTQI - Dividend Comparison

QQQA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.02%, less than FTQI's 10.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	10.85%	11.46%	11.66%	11.49%	9.85%	3.05%	3.27%	2.95%	3.27%	2.74%	3.02%	3.54%
QQQA ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF	0.02%	0.10%	0.09%	0.34%	0.28%	0.10%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQA and FTQI in my portfolio?

QQQA and FTQI have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQA or FTQI?

QQQA has higher volatility (16.98%) compared to FTQI (2.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQA dropped -38.44% vs FTQI's -19.42%.

Which ETF is better, QQQA or FTQI?

On 5-year performance, QQQA leads with 12.90% vs 12.16% for FTQI. On fees, QQQA is cheaper at 0.58% per year. On volatility, FTQI has been the lower-risk option at 2.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQA or FTQI?

Over the 5-year period, QQQA has performed better with a 12.90% return vs 12.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQA or FTQI?

QQQA is cheaper with a 0.58% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for FTQI.

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

FTQI has the higher dividend yield at 10.85%, compared with 0.02% for QQQA.

What is the main difference between QQQA and FTQI?

QQQA tracks NASDAQ-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while FTQI tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for QQQA and 0.75% for FTQI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTQI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.54 vs 2.12), 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.