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QTEC vs. FDL
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

QTEC vs. FDL

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC) and First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL).

QTEC and FDL are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. QTEC is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index. It was launched on Apr 19, 2006. FDL is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index. It was launched on Mar 9, 2006. Both QTEC and FDL are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

QTEC vs. FDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC) and First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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QTEC vs. FDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
QTEC
First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund		-4.83%22.28%7.32%67.02%-39.83%26.89%38.76%48.22%-4.62%37.78%
FDL
First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund		14.21%14.79%17.98%2.94%6.66%26.10%-4.30%24.41%-5.99%12.02%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QTEC achieves a -4.83% return, which is significantly lower than FDL's 14.21% return. Over the past 10 years, QTEC has outperformed FDL with an annualized return of 18.13%, while FDL has yielded a comparatively lower 11.48% annualized return.

QTEC

1D
1.44%
1M
-2.41%
YTD
-4.83%
6M
-5.34%
1Y
25.47%
3Y*
18.89%
5Y*
8.19%
10Y*
18.13%

FDL

1D
-1.10%
1M
-1.21%
YTD
14.21%
6M
16.89%
1Y
21.28%
3Y*
17.56%
5Y*
13.87%
10Y*
11.48%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund

First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund

Often compared with QTEC:
QTEC vs. QQQQTEC vs. QQQMQTEC vs. VGTQTEC vs. QQXTQTEC vs. RSPTQTEC vs. ftecQTEC vs. VOO
Often compared with FDL:
FDL vs. SCHDFDL vs. FDVVFDL vs. VYMFDL vs. LVHDFDL vs. SPYDFDL vs. VOOFDL vs. SPHD

QTEC vs. FDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

QTEC has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than FDL's 0.45% expense ratio.

QTEC
First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund
FDL
First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund

Return for Risk

QTEC vs. FDL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
QTEC
QTEC Risk / Return Rank: 5151
Overall Rank
QTEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4545
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QTEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 5151
Sortino Ratio Rank
QTEC Omega Ratio Rank: 4949
Omega Ratio Rank
QTEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 6161
Calmar Ratio Rank
QTEC Martin Ratio Rank: 5050
Martin Ratio Rank
FDL
FDL Risk / Return Rank: 7272
Overall Rank
FDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7676
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 7676
Sortino Ratio Rank
FDL Omega Ratio Rank: 7373
Omega Ratio Rank
FDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 6767
Calmar Ratio Rank
FDL Martin Ratio Rank: 6767
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

QTEC vs. FDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC) and First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL). 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.

QTECFDLDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

0.87

1.43

-0.57

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

1.41

2.00

-0.59

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.19

1.28

-0.09

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

1.64

1.77

-0.13

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

5.03

7.07

-2.04

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QTEC vs. FDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QTEC Sharpe Ratio is 0.87, which is lower than the FDL Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QTEC and FDL, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

QTECFDLDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.87

1.43

-0.57

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.28

0.97

-0.69

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.66

0.67

-0.01

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.52

0.46

+0.06

Correlation

The correlation between QTEC and FDL is 0.51, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

QTEC vs. FDL - Dividend Comparison

QTEC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FDL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.65%.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
FDL
First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund		3.65%4.04%4.96%4.58%3.58%4.59%4.48%3.75%3.97%3.18%2.93%3.65%

Drawdowns

QTEC vs. FDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QTEC drawdown since its inception was -58.86%, smaller than the maximum FDL drawdown of -65.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTEC and FDL.

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Drawdown Indicators

QTECFDLDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-58.86%

-65.93%

+7.07%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-16.03%

-11.58%

-4.45%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-45.54%

-16.46%

-29.08%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-45.54%

-41.40%

-4.14%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-11.14%

-1.21%

-9.93%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.96%

-9.72%

-0.24%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

5.22%

2.90%

+2.32%

Volatility

QTEC vs. FDL - Volatility Comparison

First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC) has a higher volatility of 8.48% compared to First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL) at 2.71%. This indicates that QTEC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FDL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

QTECFDLDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

8.48%

2.71%

+5.77%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

18.22%

8.23%

+9.99%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

29.51%

14.94%

+14.57%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

29.04%

14.32%

+14.72%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

27.35%

17.09%

+10.26%