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QTEC vs. IYW
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

QTEC vs. IYW

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

QTEC (First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund) and IYW (iShares U.S. Technology ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QTEC is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index, while IYW is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Technology RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QTEC returned 22.85%/yr vs 26.00%/yr for IYW. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QTEC charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for IYW.

Performance

QTEC vs. IYW - 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 iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QTEC achieves a 43.17% return, which is significantly higher than IYW's 28.46% return. Over the past 10 years, QTEC has underperformed IYW with an annualized return of 22.85%, while IYW has yielded a comparatively higher 26.00% annualized return.

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%

IYW

1D
-0.44%
1M
13.87%
YTD
28.46%
6M
27.22%
1Y
58.25%
3Y*
35.17%
5Y*
22.76%
10Y*
26.00%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

QTEC vs. IYW - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
QTEC
First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund		43.17%22.28%7.32%67.02%-39.83%26.89%38.76%48.22%-4.62%37.78%
IYW
iShares U.S. Technology ETF		28.46%25.38%30.25%65.44%-34.83%35.44%47.45%46.64%-0.93%36.60%

Correlation

The correlation between QTEC and IYW is 0.88, 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

0.88

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.91

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.94

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.93

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 3, 2006

0.91

The correlation between QTEC and IYW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund

iShares U.S. Technology ETF

Often compared with QTEC:
QTEC vs. QQQQTEC vs. QQQMQTEC vs. VGTQTEC vs. QQXTQTEC vs. RSPTQTEC vs. ftecQTEC vs. QQQJ
Often compared with IYW:
IYW vs. VGTIYW vs. QQQIYW vs. XLKIYW vs. IGMIYW vs. SMHIYW vs. IWFIYW vs. SOXX

Return for Risk

QTEC vs. IYW — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
QTEC
QTEC Risk / Return Rank: 7979
Overall Rank
QTEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8787
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QTEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 8080
Sortino Ratio Rank
QTEC Omega Ratio Rank: 7777
Omega Ratio Rank
QTEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 8080
Calmar Ratio Rank
QTEC Martin Ratio Rank: 7171
Martin Ratio Rank
IYW
IYW Risk / Return Rank: 7676
Overall Rank
IYW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8888
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IYW Sortino Ratio Rank: 8282
Sortino Ratio Rank
IYW Omega Ratio Rank: 8080
Omega Ratio Rank
IYW Calmar Ratio Rank: 6767
Calmar Ratio Rank
IYW Martin Ratio Rank: 6161
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. IYW - 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 iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW). 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.

QTECIYWDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.84
2.92

-0.08

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.54
3.63

-0.10

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.45

1.47

-0.02

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

4.07

3.29

+0.78

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.17

10.76

+2.41

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. IYW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QTEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.84, which is comparable to the IYW Sharpe Ratio of 2.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QTEC and IYW, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

QTECIYWDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.84

2.92

-0.08

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.60

0.88

-0.29

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.83

1.04

-0.21

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.60

0.35

+0.25

Drawdowns

QTEC vs. IYW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QTEC drawdown since its inception was -58.86%, smaller than the maximum IYW drawdown of -81.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTEC and IYW.

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Drawdown Indicators

QTECIYWDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-58.86%

-81.90%

+23.04%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-16.03%

-17.81%

+1.78%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-29.00%

-26.47%

-2.53%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-45.54%

-39.44%

-6.10%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-45.54%

-39.44%

-6.10%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.08%

-1.35%

+0.27%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.89%

-34.65%

+24.76%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.94%

5.43%

-0.49%

Volatility

QTEC vs. IYW - Volatility Comparison

First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC) has a higher volatility of 7.51% compared to iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW) at 6.28%. This indicates that QTEC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IYW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

QTECIYWDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.51%

6.28%

+1.23%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

18.24%

15.84%

+2.40%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

22.97%

20.07%

+2.90%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

29.17%

25.86%

+3.31%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

27.50%

25.09%

+2.41%

QTEC vs. IYW - Expense Ratio Comparison

QTEC has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than IYW's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

QTEC vs. IYW - Dividend Comparison

QTEC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IYW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.11%.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IYW
iShares U.S. Technology ETF		0.11%0.14%0.21%0.34%0.50%0.31%0.56%0.72%0.92%0.82%1.14%1.12%
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

QTEC and IYW have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

QTEC has higher volatility (7.51%) compared to IYW (6.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QTEC dropped -58.86% vs IYW's -81.90%.

On 10-year performance, IYW leads with 26.00% vs 22.85% for QTEC. On fees, IYW is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, IYW has been the lower-risk option at 6.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IYW has performed better with a 26.00% return vs 22.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IYW is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.57% for QTEC.

IYW has the higher dividend yield at 0.11%, compared with 0.00% for QTEC.

QTEC is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while IYW is Technology Equities. QTEC tracks NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index, while IYW tracks Russell 1000 Technology RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for QTEC and 0.38% for IYW.

IYW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.92 vs 2.84), 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.

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