QTEC vs. PBQQ
QTEC (First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund) and PBQQ (PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QTEC is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index, while PBQQ is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by PGIM. QTEC is passively managed, while PBQQ is actively managed. Over the past year, QTEC returned 56.32% vs 19.15% for PBQQ. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QTEC charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for PBQQ.
Performance
QTEC vs. PBQQ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QTEC achieves a 38.99% return, which is significantly higher than PBQQ's 8.21% 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%
PBQQ
- 1D
- -0.75%
- 1M
- -0.22%
- YTD
- 8.21%
- 6M
- 8.11%
- 1Y
- 19.15%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
QTEC vs. PBQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
QTEC First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund | 38.99% | 22.28% |
PBQQ PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF | 8.21% | 15.44% |
Correlation
The correlation between QTEC and PBQQ 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 Jan 2, 2025 | 0.88 |
The correlation between QTEC and PBQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
QTEC vs. PBQQ — Risk / Return Rank
QTEC
PBQQ
QTEC vs. PBQQ - 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 PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF (PBQQ). 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 | PBQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.47 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.14 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.36 | 1.52 | -0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.53 | 4.08 | -0.55 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.11 | 19.12 | -8.01 |
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Drawdowns
QTEC vs. PBQQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QTEC drawdown since its inception was -58.86%, which is greater than PBQQ's maximum drawdown of -12.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTEC and PBQQ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QTEC | PBQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -58.86% | -12.92% | -45.94% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.03% | -4.71% | -11.32% |
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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.69% | -1.02% | -3.67% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.87% | -1.24% | -8.63% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.08% | 1.00% | +4.08% |
Volatility
QTEC vs. PBQQ - Volatility Comparison
First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC) has a higher volatility of 14.47% compared to PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF (PBQQ) at 2.24%. This indicates that QTEC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PBQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| QTEC | PBQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 14.47% | 2.24% | +12.23% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 21.95% | 5.77% | +16.18% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.15% | 7.32% | +18.83% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 29.72% | 11.79% | +17.93% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.75% | 11.79% | +15.96% |
QTEC vs. PBQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison
QTEC has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than PBQQ's 0.50% expense ratio.
Dividends
QTEC vs. PBQQ - Dividend Comparison
QTEC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while PBQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PBQQ PGIM Laddered Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 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
QTEC and PBQQ 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.
QTEC has higher volatility (14.47%) compared to PBQQ (2.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QTEC dropped -58.86% vs PBQQ's -12.92%.
On 1-year performance, QTEC leads with 56.32% vs 19.15% for PBQQ. On fees, PBQQ is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, PBQQ has been the lower-risk option at 2.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, QTEC has performed better with a 56.32% return vs 19.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
PBQQ is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.57% for QTEC.
PBQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.01%, compared with 0.00% for QTEC.
QTEC is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while PBQQ is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for QTEC and 0.50% for PBQQ.
PBQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 2.17), 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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