QTEC vs. QEW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QTEC (First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund) and QEW (Invesco QQQ Equal Weight ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds - QTEC tracks the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index while QEW tracks the Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QTEC charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for QEW.

Performance

QTEC vs. QEW - 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 Invesco QQQ Equal Weight ETF (QEW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

QTEC

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 22.39%
• YTD: 44.73%
• 6M: 40.31%
• 1Y: 67.84%
• 3Y*: 32.86%
• 5Y*: 17.61%
• 10Y*: 23.00%

QEW

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 10.55%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QTEC vs. QEW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
QTEC First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund	48.93%
QEW Invesco QQQ Equal Weight ETF	21.49%

Correlation

The correlation between QTEC and QEW 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 19, 2026	0.94

Return for Risk

QTEC vs. QEW — Risk / Return Rank

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

QTEC

QTEC Risk / Return Rank: 80
QTEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
QTEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
QTEC Omega Ratio Rank: 78
QTEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
QTEC Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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. QEW - 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 Invesco QQQ Equal Weight ETF (QEW). 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.

	QTEC	QEW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.97	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.67	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.25	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.77	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QTEC	QEW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.97	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	9.75	-9.14

Drawdowns

QTEC vs. QEW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QTEC drawdown since its inception was -58.86%, which is greater than QEW's maximum drawdown of -4.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTEC and QEW.

Drawdown Indicators

	QTEC	QEW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.86%	-4.15%	-54.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.03%	—	—
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	0.00%	-0.11%	+0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.89%	-0.57%	-9.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.94%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QTEC	QEW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.34%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.26%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.98%	15.78%	+7.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.19%	15.78%	+13.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.51%	15.78%	+11.73%

QTEC vs. QEW - Expense Ratio Comparison

QTEC has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than QEW's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

QTEC vs. QEW - Dividend Comparison

Neither QTEC nor QEW has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QEW Invesco QQQ Equal Weight ETF	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 QEW in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, QTEC and QEW 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 ETF is better, QTEC or QEW?

On fees, QEW is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, QTEC or QEW?

QEW is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.57% for QTEC.

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

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

What is the main difference between QTEC and QEW?

QTEC tracks NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index, while QEW tracks Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for QTEC and 0.25% for QEW.