QTEC vs. QCJL

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

QTEC (First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund) and QCJL (FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July) are both Nasdaq-100 funds from First Trust. QTEC is passively managed, while QCJL is actively managed. Over the past year, QTEC returned 56.32% vs 13.57% for QCJL. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QTEC charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for QCJL.

Performance

QTEC vs. QCJL - 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 FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July (QCJL). 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 QCJL's 5.21% 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%

QCJL

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: 0.34%
• YTD: 5.21%
• 6M: 5.12%
• 1Y: 13.57%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QTEC vs. QCJL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QTEC First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund	38.99%	22.28%	-2.20%
QCJL FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July	5.21%	13.10%	4.38%

Correlation

The correlation between QTEC and QCJL is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 22, 2024	0.83

The correlation between QTEC and QCJL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QTEC vs. QCJL — 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

QCJL

QCJL Risk / Return Rank: 84
QCJL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
QCJL Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
QCJL Omega Ratio Rank: 87
QCJL Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
QCJL Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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. QCJL - 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 FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July (QCJL). 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	QCJL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	2.42	-0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.71	3.52	-0.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.49	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.53	3.40	+0.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.11	17.38	-6.27

QTEC vs. QCJL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QTEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is comparable to the QCJL Sharpe Ratio of 2.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QTEC and QCJL, 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. QCJL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QTEC drawdown since its inception was -58.86%, which is greater than QCJL's maximum drawdown of -11.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTEC and QCJL.

Drawdown Indicators

	QTEC	QCJL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.86%	-11.18%	-47.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.03%	-4.00%	-12.03%
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	-4.69%	-0.18%	-4.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.87%	-1.04%	-8.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.08%	0.78%	+4.30%

Volatility

QTEC vs. QCJL - Volatility Comparison

First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC) has a higher volatility of 14.47% compared to FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July (QCJL) at 0.73%. This indicates that QTEC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QCJL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QTEC	QCJL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.47%	0.73%	+13.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.95%	4.22%	+17.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.15%	5.67%	+20.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.72%	9.35%	+20.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.75%	9.35%	+18.40%

QTEC vs. QCJL - Expense Ratio Comparison

QTEC has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is lower than QCJL's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

QTEC vs. QCJL - Dividend Comparison

Neither QTEC nor QCJL has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QCJL FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - July	0.00%	0.00%	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

Can I hold both QTEC and QCJL in my portfolio?

QTEC and QCJL have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QTEC or QCJL?

QTEC has higher volatility (14.47%) compared to QCJL (0.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QTEC dropped -58.86% vs QCJL's -11.18%.

Which ETF is better, QTEC or QCJL?

On 1-year performance, QTEC leads with 56.32% vs 13.57% for QCJL. On fees, QTEC is cheaper at 0.57% per year. On volatility, QCJL has been the lower-risk option at 0.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QTEC or QCJL?

Over the 1-year period, QTEC has performed better with a 56.32% return vs 13.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QTEC or QCJL?

QTEC is cheaper with a 0.57% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for QCJL.

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

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

What is the main difference between QTEC and QCJL?

Their fees differ too: 0.57% for QTEC and 0.90% for QCJL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QCJL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 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.