QQQH vs. FTQI

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

QQQH (NEOS Nasdaq-100 Hedged Equity Income ETF) and FTQI (First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. Over the past 5 years, QQQH returned 8.00%/yr vs 12.26%/yr for FTQI. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QQQH charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for FTQI.

Performance

QQQH vs. FTQI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in NEOS Nasdaq-100 Hedged Equity Income ETF (QQQH) 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, QQQH achieves a 5.63% return, which is significantly lower than FTQI's 12.76% return.

QQQH

• 1D: -1.19%
• 1M: -1.07%
• 6M: 4.87%
• YTD: 5.63%
• 1Y: 13.50%
• 3Y*: 17.16%
• 5Y*: 8.00%
• 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)

QQQH vs. FTQI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
QQQH NEOS Nasdaq-100 Hedged Equity Income ETF	5.63%	14.17%	25.98%	30.96%	-28.35%	9.76%	18.62%	0.47%
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	12.76%	12.68%	18.30%	23.63%	-8.77%	10.46%	-6.54%	0.27%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQH and FTQI is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2019	0.66

Over the past year, QQQH and FTQI have become more correlated (0.89) than their long-term average of 0.66, meaning their price movements have been converging.

QQQH vs. FTQI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQH	FTQI
Technology	58.0%	49.4%
Communication Services	14.5%	11.8%
Consumer Cyclical	11.5%	10.5%
Consumer Defensive	6.5%	6.2%
Healthcare	3.7%	6.0%
Industrials	2.8%	4.1%
Utilities	1.2%	1.5%
Basic Materials	1.1%	1.4%
Energy	0.5%	2.3%
Financial Services	0.2%	5.5%
Real Estate	0.1%	1.3%

Return for Risk

QQQH vs. FTQI — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQH

QQQH Risk / Return Rank: 45
QQQH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
QQQH Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
QQQH Omega Ratio Rank: 42
QQQH Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
QQQH Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

QQQH vs. FTQI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NEOS Nasdaq-100 Hedged Equity Income ETF (QQQH) 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.

	QQQH	FTQI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.22	2.43	-1.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.69	3.37	-1.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.45	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.95	4.24	-2.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.90	20.07	-12.17

QQQH vs. FTQI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQH Sharpe Ratio is 1.22, which is lower than the FTQI Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQH 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

QQQH vs. FTQI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQH drawdown since its inception was -31.24%, which is greater than FTQI's maximum drawdown of -19.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQH and FTQI.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQH	FTQI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.24%	-19.42%	-11.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.96%	-6.24%	-0.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.18%	-19.42%	+4.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.24%	-19.42%	-11.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-19.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.13%	-0.85%	-1.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.15%	-3.73%	-4.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.71%	1.32%	+0.39%

Volatility

QQQH vs. FTQI - Volatility Comparison

NEOS Nasdaq-100 Hedged Equity Income ETF (QQQH) has a higher volatility of 4.33% compared to First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) at 2.92%. This indicates that QQQH'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

	QQQH	FTQI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.33%	2.92%	+1.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.99%	8.83%	+0.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.08%	10.87%	+0.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.41%	14.82%	-1.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.45%	12.98%	+0.47%

QQQH vs. FTQI - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQH has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is lower than FTQI's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQH vs. FTQI - Dividend Comparison

QQQH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.01%, 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%
QQQH NEOS Nasdaq-100 Hedged Equity Income ETF	9.01%	8.86%	7.53%	7.18%	9.05%	7.77%	7.48%	0.65%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQH and FTQI in my portfolio?

QQQH and FTQI have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQH or FTQI?

QQQH has higher volatility (4.33%) compared to FTQI (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQH dropped -31.24% vs FTQI's -19.42%.

Which ETF is better, QQQH or FTQI?

On 5-year performance, FTQI leads with 12.26% vs 8.00% for QQQH. On fees, QQQH is cheaper at 0.68% 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, QQQH or FTQI?

Over the 5-year period, FTQI has performed better with a 12.26% return vs 8.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQH or FTQI?

QQQH is cheaper with a 0.68% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for FTQI.

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

FTQI has the higher dividend yield at 10.92%, compared with 9.01% for QQQH.

What is the main difference between QQQH and FTQI?

They also come from different issuers: Neos and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for QQQH and 0.75% for FTQI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTQI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 1.22), 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.