QQQT vs. QQQE

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

QQQT (Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF) and QQQE (Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. QQQT is actively managed, while QQQE is passively managed. Over the past year, QQQT returned 26.99% vs 24.45% for QQQE. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QQQT charges 1.05%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for QQQE.

Performance

QQQT vs. QQQE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF (QQQT) and Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares (QQQE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQT achieves a 15.19% return, which is significantly lower than QQQE's 17.16% return.

QQQT

• 1D: 0.74%
• 1M: -1.88%
• YTD: 15.19%
• 6M: 13.80%
• 1Y: 26.99%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QQQE

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 1.10%
• YTD: 17.16%
• 6M: 15.52%
• 1Y: 24.45%
• 3Y*: 17.83%
• 5Y*: 9.20%
• 10Y*: 16.24%

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

QQQT vs. QQQE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QQQT Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF	15.19%	14.04%	4.20%
QQQE Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares	17.16%	14.58%	1.49%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQT and QQQE is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 21, 2024	0.88

The correlation between QQQT and QQQE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

QQQT vs. QQQE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQT	QQQE
Technology	58.7%	51.0%
Communication Services	14.3%	8.4%
Consumer Cyclical	11.4%	9.8%
Consumer Defensive	6.4%	7.0%
Healthcare	3.7%	7.8%
Industrials	2.6%	9.3%
Utilities	1.2%	3.4%
Basic Materials	1.0%	0.8%
Energy	0.5%	1.7%
Financial Services	0.2%	0.8%
Real Estate	0.1%	0.7%

Return for Risk

QQQT vs. QQQE — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQT

QQQT Risk / Return Rank: 53
QQQT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
QQQT Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
QQQT Omega Ratio Rank: 58
QQQT Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
QQQT Martin Ratio Rank: 49

QQQE

QQQE Risk / Return Rank: 54
QQQE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
QQQE Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
QQQE Omega Ratio Rank: 50
QQQE Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
QQQE Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

QQQT vs. QQQE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF (QQQT) and Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares (QQQE). 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.

	QQQT	QQQE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.64	1.58	+0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.21	2.16	+0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.28	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.13	2.61	-0.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.26	8.73	-1.47

QQQT vs. QQQE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQT Sharpe Ratio is 1.64, which is comparable to the QQQE Sharpe Ratio of 1.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQT and QQQE, 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

QQQT vs. QQQE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQT drawdown since its inception was -22.50%, smaller than the maximum QQQE drawdown of -32.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQT and QQQE.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQT	QQQE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.50%	-32.14%	+9.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.73%	-9.41%	-3.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-21.38%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-32.14%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-32.14%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.85%	-2.48%	-1.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.98%	-5.15%	+1.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.73%	2.81%	+0.92%

Volatility

QQQT vs. QQQE - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF (QQQT) has a higher volatility of 8.50% compared to Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares (QQQE) at 7.91%. This indicates that QQQT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QQQE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQQT	QQQE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.50%	7.91%	+0.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.55%	12.70%	+0.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.51%	15.57%	+0.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.75%	20.54%	+0.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.75%	20.79%	-0.04%

QQQT vs. QQQE - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQT has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQE's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQT vs. QQQE - Dividend Comparison

QQQT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 19.87%, more than QQQE's 0.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
QQQT Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF	19.87%	21.27%	10.35%	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 QQQT and QQQE in my portfolio?

QQQT and QQQE have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQT or QQQE?

QQQT has higher volatility (8.50%) compared to QQQE (7.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQT dropped -22.50% vs QQQE's -32.14%.

Which ETF is better, QQQT or QQQE?

On 1-year performance, QQQT leads with 26.99% vs 24.45% for QQQE. On fees, QQQE is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, QQQE has been the lower-risk option at 7.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQT or QQQE?

Over the 1-year period, QQQT has performed better with a 26.99% return vs 24.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQT or QQQE?

QQQE is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 1.05% for QQQT.

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

QQQT has the higher dividend yield at 19.87%, compared with 0.57% for QQQE.

What is the main difference between QQQT and QQQE?

They also come from different issuers: Defiance and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 1.05% for QQQT and 0.35% for QQQE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.64 vs 1.58), 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.