QQQY vs. QTEC

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

QQQY (Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF) and QTEC (First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. QQQY is actively managed, while QTEC is passively managed. Over the past year, QQQY returned 35.59% vs 64.90% for QTEC. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QQQY charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.57%/yr for QTEC.

Performance

QQQY vs. QTEC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) 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, QQQY achieves a 18.85% return, which is significantly lower than QTEC's 43.17% return.

QQQY

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 7.95%
• YTD: 18.85%
• 6M: 18.67%
• 1Y: 35.59%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QTEC

• 1D: -1.08%
• 1M: 18.57%
• YTD: 43.17%
• 6M: 39.34%
• 1Y: 64.90%
• 3Y*: 32.59%
• 5Y*: 17.36%
• 10Y*: 22.85%

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

QQQY vs. QTEC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	18.85%	14.96%	7.70%	7.22%
QTEC First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund	43.17%	22.28%	7.32%	15.43%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQY and QTEC is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 15, 2023	0.85

The correlation between QQQY and QTEC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QQQY vs. QTEC — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQY

QQQY Risk / Return Rank: 75
QQQY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
QQQY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QQQY Omega Ratio Rank: 81
QQQY Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
QQQY Martin Ratio Rank: 74

QTEC

QTEC Risk / Return Rank: 79
QTEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
QTEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
QTEC Omega Ratio Rank: 77
QTEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
QTEC Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

QQQY vs. QTEC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) 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.

	QQQY	QTEC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.62	2.84	-0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.31	3.54	-0.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.45	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.21	4.07	-0.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.65	13.17	+0.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QQQY vs. QTEC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQY Sharpe Ratio is 2.62, which is comparable to the QTEC Sharpe Ratio of 2.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQY 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QQQY	QTEC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.62	2.84	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.60	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.25	0.60	+0.64

Drawdowns

QQQY vs. QTEC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQY drawdown since its inception was -19.05%, smaller than the maximum QTEC drawdown of -58.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQY and QTEC.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQY	QTEC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.05%	-58.86%	+39.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.14%	-16.03%	+4.89%
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	-0.55%	-1.08%	+0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.91%	-9.89%	+6.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.61%	4.94%	-2.33%

Volatility

QQQY vs. QTEC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) is 4.14%, while First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC) has a volatility of 7.51%. This indicates that QQQY 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

	QQQY	QTEC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.14%	7.51%	-3.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.30%	18.24%	-6.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.66%	22.97%	-9.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.74%	29.17%	-14.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.74%	27.50%	-12.76%

QQQY vs. QTEC - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQY has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than QTEC's 0.57% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQY vs. QTEC - Dividend Comparison

QQQY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 35.18%, while QTEC has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	35.18%	45.34%	83.34%	20.64%	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	0.00%	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 QQQY and QTEC in my portfolio?

QQQY and QTEC have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQY or QTEC?

QTEC has higher volatility (7.51%) compared to QQQY (4.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQY dropped -19.05% vs QTEC's -58.86%.

Which ETF is better, QQQY or QTEC?

On 1-year performance, QTEC leads with 64.90% vs 35.59% for QQQY. On fees, QTEC is cheaper at 0.57% per year. On volatility, QQQY has been the lower-risk option at 4.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQY or QTEC?

Over the 1-year period, QTEC has performed better with a 64.90% return vs 35.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQY or QTEC?

QTEC is cheaper with a 0.57% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for QQQY.

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

QQQY has the higher dividend yield at 35.18%, compared with 0.00% for QTEC.

What is the main difference between QQQY and QTEC?

They also come from different issuers: Defiance and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for QQQY and 0.57% for QTEC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QTEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.84 vs 2.62), 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.