QQQE vs. FTQI

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

QQQE (Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares) and FTQI (First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds - QQQE tracks the NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index while FTQI tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QQQE returned 14.91%/yr vs 7.85%/yr for FTQI. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QQQE charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for FTQI.

Performance

QQQE vs. FTQI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares (QQQE) 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, QQQE achieves a 16.12% return, which is significantly higher than FTQI's 12.76% return. Over the past 10 years, QQQE has outperformed FTQI with an annualized return of 14.91%, while FTQI has yielded a comparatively lower 7.85% annualized return.

QQQE

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: -1.61%
• 6M: 13.70%
• YTD: 16.12%
• 1Y: 21.29%
• 3Y*: 14.88%
• 5Y*: 9.06%
• 10Y*: 14.91%

FTQI

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 1.28%
• 6M: 11.68%
• YTD: 12.76%
• 1Y: 26.34%
• 3Y*: 16.62%
• 5Y*: 12.26%
• 10Y*: 7.85%

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

QQQE vs. FTQI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QQQE Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares	16.12%	14.58%	6.98%	33.76%	-24.47%	17.93%	37.85%	36.43%	-5.40%	26.53%
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	12.76%	12.68%	18.30%	23.63%	-8.77%	10.46%	-6.54%	13.98%	-9.78%	12.47%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQE and FTQI is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 7, 2014	0.60

The correlation between QQQE and FTQI shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (all time) to 0.84 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QQQE vs. FTQI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQE	FTQI
Technology	51.0%	49.4%
Consumer Cyclical	9.8%	10.5%
Industrials	9.3%	4.1%
Communication Services	8.4%	11.8%
Healthcare	7.8%	6.0%
Consumer Defensive	7.0%	6.2%
Utilities	3.4%	1.5%
Energy	1.7%	2.3%
Basic Materials	0.8%	1.4%
Financial Services	0.8%	5.5%
Real Estate	0.7%	1.3%

Return for Risk

QQQE vs. FTQI — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQE

QQQE Risk / Return Rank: 49
QQQE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
QQQE Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
QQQE Omega Ratio Rank: 44
QQQE Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
QQQE Martin Ratio Rank: 54

FTQI

FTQI Risk / Return Rank: 91
FTQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
FTQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
FTQI Omega Ratio Rank: 90
FTQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
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.

QQQE vs. FTQI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares (QQQE) 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.

	QQQE	FTQI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.35	2.43	-1.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.90	3.37	-1.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.45	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.27	4.24	-1.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.47	20.07	-12.60

QQQE vs. FTQI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQE Sharpe Ratio is 1.35, which is lower than the FTQI Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQE 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

QQQE vs. FTQI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQE drawdown since its inception was -32.14%, which is greater than FTQI's maximum drawdown of -19.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQE and FTQI.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQE	FTQI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.14%	-19.42%	-12.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.41%	-6.24%	-3.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.38%	-19.42%	-1.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.14%	-19.42%	-12.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.14%	-19.42%	-12.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.35%	-0.85%	-2.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.14%	-3.73%	-1.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.86%	1.32%	+1.54%

Volatility

QQQE vs. FTQI - Volatility Comparison

Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares (QQQE) has a higher volatility of 4.96% compared to First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) at 2.92%. This indicates that QQQE'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

	QQQE	FTQI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.96%	2.92%	+2.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.91%	8.83%	+4.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.82%	10.87%	+4.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.58%	14.82%	+5.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.74%	12.98%	+7.76%

QQQE vs. FTQI - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQE has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than FTQI's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQE vs. FTQI - Dividend Comparison

QQQE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.57%, less than FTQI's 10.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	10.92%	11.46%	11.66%	11.49%	9.85%	3.05%	3.27%	2.95%	3.27%	2.74%	3.02%	3.54%
QQQE Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares	0.57%	0.52%	0.86%	0.79%	0.98%	3.83%	0.54%	0.74%	0.80%	0.65%	1.17%	0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQE and FTQI in my portfolio?

QQQE and FTQI have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQE or FTQI?

QQQE has higher volatility (4.96%) compared to FTQI (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQE dropped -32.14% vs FTQI's -19.42%.

Which ETF is better, QQQE or FTQI?

On 10-year performance, QQQE leads with 14.91% vs 7.85% for FTQI. On fees, QQQE is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, FTQI has been the lower-risk option at 2.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQE or FTQI?

Over the 10-year period, QQQE has performed better with a 14.91% return vs 7.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQE or FTQI?

QQQE is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for FTQI.

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

FTQI has the higher dividend yield at 10.92%, compared with 0.57% for QQQE.

What is the main difference between QQQE and FTQI?

QQQE tracks NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index, while FTQI tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for QQQE and 0.75% for FTQI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTQI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 1.35), 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.