QQQI vs. QTEC

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

QQQI (NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF) and QTEC (First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. QQQI is actively managed, while QTEC is passively managed. Over the past year, QQQI returned 20.70% vs 50.34% for QTEC. Their correlation of 0.91 means they have usually moved in the same direction. QQQI charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.57%/yr for QTEC.

Performance

QQQI vs. QTEC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI) and First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQI achieves a 11.18% return, which is significantly lower than QTEC's 38.96% return.

QQQI

• 1D: 2.45%
• 1M: 0.80%
• 6M: 10.57%
• YTD: 11.18%
• 1Y: 20.70%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 19.84%

QTEC

• 1D: 5.32%
• 1M: 1.55%
• 6M: 38.76%
• YTD: 38.96%
• 1Y: 50.34%
• 3Y*: 28.88%
• 5Y*: 14.16%
• 10Y*: 21.52%
• ALL TIME*: 15.36%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	$332.84M	$328.69M	$357.78M
QTEC First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund	$89.53M	$76.33M	$92.26M

QQQI vs. QTEC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	11.18%	18.62%	19.44%
QTEC First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund	38.96%	22.28%	2.08%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQI and QTEC is 0.92, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2024	0.91

The correlation between QQQI and QTEC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

QQQI vs. QTEC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQI	QTEC
Technology	59.9%	85.4%
Communication Services	12.1%	8.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	2.1%
Consumer Defensive	6.5%	-
Industrials	4.3%	2.1%
Healthcare	3.7%	-
Utilities	1.2%	-
Basic Materials	1.1%	-
Energy	0.5%	-
Financial Services	0.2%	-
Real Estate	0.1%	-

Return for Risk

QQQI vs. QTEC — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

QQQI

QQQI Risk / Return Rank: 49
QQQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
QQQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
QQQI Omega Ratio Rank: 44
QQQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
QQQI Martin Ratio Rank: 58

QTEC

QTEC Risk / Return Rank: 67
QTEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
QTEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
QTEC Omega Ratio Rank: 60
QTEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
QTEC Martin Ratio Rank: 65

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

QQQI vs. QTEC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI) and First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC). 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.

	QQQI	QTEC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.27	1.77	-0.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.78	2.34	-0.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.29	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.16	3.16	-0.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.74	8.78	-1.04

QQQI vs. QTEC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQI Sharpe Ratio is 1.27, which is comparable to the QTEC Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQI and QTEC, 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

QQQI vs. QTEC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQI drawdown since its inception was -20.00%, smaller than the maximum QTEC drawdown of -58.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQI and QTEC.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQI	QTEC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.00%	-58.86%	+38.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.61%	-16.03%	+6.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-29.00%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-45.54%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.54%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.16%	-4.72%	+2.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.28%	-9.86%	+7.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.68%	5.75%	-3.07%

Volatility

QQQI vs. QTEC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI) is 6.94%, while First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC) has a volatility of 10.63%. This indicates that QQQI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QTEC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQQI	QTEC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.94%	10.63%	-3.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.90%	24.27%	-10.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.49%	28.57%	-12.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.81%	30.16%	-12.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.81%	27.94%	-10.13%

QQQI vs. QTEC - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQI has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than QTEC's 0.57% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQI vs. QTEC - Dividend Comparison

QQQI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.82%, more than QTEC's 0.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	13.82%	13.82%	12.85%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QTEC First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund	0.01%	0.00%	0.02%	0.14%	0.15%	0.02%	0.44%	0.68%	0.91%	0.80%	1.29%	0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQI and QTEC in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, QQQI and QTEC move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, QQQI or QTEC?

QTEC has higher volatility (10.63%) compared to QQQI (6.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQI dropped -20.00% vs QTEC's -58.86%.

Which ETF is better, QQQI or QTEC?

On 1-year performance, QTEC leads with 50.34% vs 20.70% for QQQI. On fees, QTEC is cheaper at 0.57% per year. On volatility, QQQI has been the lower-risk option at 6.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQI or QTEC?

Over the 1-year period, QTEC has performed better with a 50.34% return vs 20.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQI or QTEC?

QTEC is cheaper with a 0.57% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for QQQI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QQQI or QTEC?

QQQI has the higher dividend yield at 13.82%, compared with 0.01% for QTEC.

What is the main difference between QQQI and QTEC?

They also come from different issuers: Neos and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for QQQI and 0.57% for QTEC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QTEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.27), 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.