QQQG vs. FTQI

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

QQQG (Pacer Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF) and FTQI (First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. QQQG is actively managed, while FTQI is passively managed. Over the past year, QQQG returned 33.02% vs 26.34% for FTQI. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QQQG charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for FTQI.

Performance

QQQG vs. FTQI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (QQQG) 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, QQQG achieves a 25.34% return, which is significantly higher than FTQI's 12.76% return.

QQQG

• 1D: -2.41%
• 1M: -5.50%
• 6M: 23.18%
• YTD: 25.34%
• 1Y: 33.02%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

QQQG vs. FTQI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QQQG Pacer Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF	25.34%	14.72%	1.68%
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	12.76%	12.68%	7.84%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQG and FTQI is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 20, 2024	0.82

The correlation between QQQG and FTQI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

QQQG vs. FTQI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQG	FTQI
Technology	77.5%	49.4%
Healthcare	9.7%	6.0%
Consumer Cyclical	3.6%	10.5%
Industrials	3.1%	4.1%
Consumer Defensive	2.1%	6.2%
Energy	2.0%	2.3%
Communication Services	2.0%	11.8%
Basic Materials	-	1.4%
Financial Services	-	5.5%
Real Estate	-	1.3%
Utilities	-	1.5%

Return for Risk

QQQG vs. FTQI — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQG

QQQG Risk / Return Rank: 52
QQQG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
QQQG Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
QQQG Omega Ratio Rank: 47
QQQG Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
QQQG Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

QQQG vs. FTQI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (QQQG) 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.

	QQQG	FTQI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.40	2.43	-1.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.91	3.37	-1.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.45	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.41	4.24	-1.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.06	20.07	-12.02

QQQG vs. FTQI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQG Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is lower than the FTQI Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQG 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

QQQG vs. FTQI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQG drawdown since its inception was -23.61%, which is greater than FTQI's maximum drawdown of -19.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQG and FTQI.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQG	FTQI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.61%	-19.42%	-4.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.79%	-6.24%	-7.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.42%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.42%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-19.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.43%	-0.85%	-7.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.61%	-3.73%	+0.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.11%	1.32%	+2.79%

Volatility

QQQG vs. FTQI - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (QQQG) has a higher volatility of 11.10% compared to First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) at 2.92%. This indicates that QQQG'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

	QQQG	FTQI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.10%	2.92%	+8.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.73%	8.83%	+11.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.69%	10.87%	+12.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.88%	14.82%	+10.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.88%	12.98%	+11.90%

QQQG vs. FTQI - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQG has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than FTQI's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQG vs. FTQI - Dividend Comparison

QQQG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.05%, 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%
QQQG Pacer Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF	0.05%	0.06%	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQG and FTQI in my portfolio?

QQQG and FTQI have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQG or FTQI?

QQQG has higher volatility (11.10%) compared to FTQI (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQG dropped -23.61% vs FTQI's -19.42%.

Which ETF is better, QQQG or FTQI?

On 1-year performance, QQQG leads with 33.02% vs 26.34% for FTQI. On fees, QQQG is cheaper at 0.49% 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, QQQG or FTQI?

Over the 1-year period, QQQG has performed better with a 33.02% return vs 26.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQG or FTQI?

QQQG is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for FTQI.

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

FTQI has the higher dividend yield at 10.92%, compared with 0.05% for QQQG.

What is the main difference between QQQG and FTQI?

They also come from different issuers: Pacer and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for QQQG and 0.75% for FTQI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTQI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 1.40), 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.