QTEC vs. FXL

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

QTEC (First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund) and FXL (First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - QTEC is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index, while FXL is a Technology Equities fund tracking the StrataQuant Technology Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QTEC returned 22.91%/yr vs 20.80%/yr for FXL. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QTEC charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for FXL.

Performance

QTEC vs. FXL - 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 Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QTEC achieves a 38.99% return, which is significantly higher than FXL's 23.89% return. Over the past 10 years, QTEC has outperformed FXL with an annualized return of 22.91%, while FXL has yielded a comparatively lower 20.80% annualized return.

QTEC

• 1D: -4.69%
• 1M: 5.04%
• YTD: 38.99%
• 6M: 36.41%
• 1Y: 56.32%
• 3Y*: 31.13%
• 5Y*: 15.56%
• 10Y*: 22.91%

FXL

• 1D: -3.19%
• 1M: 3.12%
• YTD: 23.89%
• 6M: 21.72%
• 1Y: 37.39%
• 3Y*: 23.75%
• 5Y*: 11.32%
• 10Y*: 20.80%

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

QTEC vs. FXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QTEC First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund	38.99%	22.28%	7.32%	67.02%	-39.83%	26.89%	38.76%	48.22%	-4.62%	37.78%
FXL First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund	23.89%	13.29%	16.13%	40.50%	-30.44%	18.20%	54.20%	38.66%	2.72%	35.82%

Correlation

The correlation between QTEC and FXL is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 10, 2007	0.92

The correlation between QTEC and FXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

QTEC vs. FXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QTEC	FXL
Technology	89.8%	88.5%
Communication Services	5.8%	4.8%
Consumer Cyclical	3.0%	1.0%
Industrials	1.4%	3.8%
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	1.0%
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

QTEC vs. FXL — Risk / Return Rank

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

QTEC

QTEC Risk / Return Rank: 66
QTEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
QTEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
QTEC Omega Ratio Rank: 63
QTEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
QTEC Martin Ratio Rank: 64

FXL

FXL Risk / Return Rank: 49
FXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
FXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
FXL Omega Ratio Rank: 42
FXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
FXL Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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. FXL - 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 Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL). 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.

	QTEC	FXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	1.55	+0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.71	2.08	+0.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.26	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.53	2.77	+0.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.11	8.79	+2.32

QTEC vs. FXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QTEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is higher than the FXL Sharpe Ratio of 1.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QTEC and FXL, 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

QTEC vs. FXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QTEC drawdown since its inception was -58.86%, roughly equal to the maximum FXL drawdown of -61.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTEC and FXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	QTEC	FXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.86%	-61.41%	+2.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.03%	-13.56%	-2.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.00%	-28.27%	-0.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.54%	-38.49%	-7.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.54%	-38.49%	-7.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.69%	-6.95%	+2.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.87%	-11.35%	+1.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.08%	4.26%	+0.82%

Volatility

QTEC vs. FXL - Volatility Comparison

First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC) has a higher volatility of 14.47% compared to First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund (FXL) at 12.05%. This indicates that QTEC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QTEC	FXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.47%	12.05%	+2.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.95%	19.61%	+2.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.15%	24.24%	+1.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.72%	25.48%	+4.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.75%	25.43%	+2.32%

QTEC vs. FXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

QTEC has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is lower than FXL's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

QTEC vs. FXL - Dividend Comparison

Neither QTEC nor FXL has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FXL First Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund	0.00%	0.01%	0.11%	0.41%	0.34%	0.11%	0.04%	0.37%	0.32%	0.27%	1.12%	0.36%
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 QTEC and FXL in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, QTEC and FXL 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, QTEC or FXL?

QTEC has higher volatility (14.47%) compared to FXL (12.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QTEC dropped -58.86% vs FXL's -61.41%.

Which ETF is better, QTEC or FXL?

On 10-year performance, QTEC leads with 22.91% vs 20.80% for FXL. On fees, QTEC is cheaper at 0.57% per year. On volatility, FXL has been the lower-risk option at 12.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QTEC or FXL?

Over the 10-year period, QTEC has performed better with a 22.91% return vs 20.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QTEC or FXL?

QTEC is cheaper with a 0.57% expense ratio, compared with 0.61% for FXL.

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

QTEC and FXL have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between QTEC and FXL?

QTEC is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while FXL is Technology Equities. QTEC tracks NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index, while FXL tracks StrataQuant Technology Index. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for QTEC and 0.61% for FXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QTEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 1.55), 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.