QTEC vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

QTEC (First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QTEC is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QTEC returned 22.85%/yr vs 15.04%/yr for VTI. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QTEC charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

QTEC vs. VTI - 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 Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QTEC achieves a 43.17% return, which is significantly higher than VTI's 11.72% return. Over the past 10 years, QTEC has outperformed VTI with an annualized return of 22.85%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively lower 15.04% 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%

VTI

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 4.59%
• YTD: 11.72%
• 6M: 11.43%
• 1Y: 28.79%
• 3Y*: 22.37%
• 5Y*: 12.80%
• 10Y*: 15.04%

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

QTEC vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	11.72%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between QTEC and VTI is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 3, 2006	0.83

The correlation between QTEC and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

QTEC vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QTEC	VTI
Technology	87.9%	33.5%
Communication Services	6.2%	10.3%
Consumer Cyclical	4.0%	10.0%
Industrials	1.9%	9.8%
Basic Materials	-	2.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.7%
Energy	-	3.7%
Financial Services	-	12.0%
Healthcare	-	9.2%
Real Estate	-	2.4%
Utilities	-	2.3%

Return for Risk

QTEC vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

QTEC

QTEC Risk / Return Rank: 79
QTEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
QTEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
QTEC Omega Ratio Rank: 77
QTEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
QTEC Martin Ratio Rank: 71

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 73
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 73
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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. VTI - 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 Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.84	2.38	+0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.54	3.24	+0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.43	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.07	3.24	+0.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.17	14.94	-1.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QTEC vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QTEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.84, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QTEC and VTI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QTEC	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.84	2.38	+0.46
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.74	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83	0.82	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.51	+0.09

Drawdowns

QTEC vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QTEC drawdown since its inception was -58.86%, which is greater than VTI's maximum drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTEC and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	QTEC	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.86%	-55.45%	-3.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.03%	-8.92%	-7.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.00%	-19.30%	-9.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.54%	-25.36%	-20.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.54%	-35.00%	-10.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.08%	-0.26%	-0.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.89%	-8.03%	-1.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.94%	1.93%	+3.01%

Volatility

QTEC vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC) has a higher volatility of 7.51% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 2.90%. This indicates that QTEC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QTEC	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.51%	2.90%	+4.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.24%	9.13%	+9.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.97%	12.17%	+10.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.17%	17.40%	+11.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.50%	18.30%	+9.20%

QTEC vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

QTEC has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

QTEC vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

QTEC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.01%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QTEC and VTI in my portfolio?

QTEC and VTI have a correlation of 0.83, 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 VTI?

QTEC has higher volatility (7.51%) compared to VTI (2.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QTEC dropped -58.86% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, QTEC or VTI?

On 10-year performance, QTEC leads with 22.85% vs 15.04% for VTI. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 2.90%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QTEC or VTI?

Over the 10-year period, QTEC has performed better with a 22.85% return vs 15.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QTEC or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.57% for QTEC.

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

VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.00% for QTEC.

What is the main difference between QTEC and VTI?

QTEC is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. QTEC tracks NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for QTEC and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QTEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.84 vs 2.38), 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.