QTEC vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QTEC (First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QTEC is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index, while VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QTEC returned 23.00%/yr vs 18.26%/yr for VUG. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QTEC charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

QTEC vs. VUG - 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 Growth ETF (VUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QTEC achieves a 44.73% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's 9.49% return. Over the past 10 years, QTEC has outperformed VUG with an annualized return of 23.00%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively lower 18.26% annualized return.

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%

VUG

• 1D: -1.23%
• 1M: 6.22%
• YTD: 9.49%
• 6M: 8.72%
• 1Y: 27.84%
• 3Y*: 25.93%
• 5Y*: 15.11%
• 10Y*: 18.26%

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

QTEC vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QTEC First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund	44.73%	22.28%	7.32%	67.02%	-39.83%	26.89%	38.76%	48.22%	-4.62%	37.78%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	9.49%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%

Correlation

The correlation between QTEC and VUG is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 3, 2006	0.87

The correlation between QTEC and VUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

QTEC vs. VUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QTEC	VUG
Technology	87.9%	53.5%
Communication Services	6.2%	17.3%
Consumer Cyclical	4.0%	12.2%
Industrials	1.9%	3.6%
Basic Materials	-	0.6%
Consumer Defensive	-	1.5%
Energy	-	0.4%
Financial Services	-	4.3%
Healthcare	-	4.6%
Real Estate	-	1.0%
Utilities	-	0.9%

Return for Risk

QTEC vs. VUG — 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

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 43
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 48
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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. VUG - 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 Growth ETF (VUG). 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	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.97	1.77	+1.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.67	2.40	+1.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.31	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.25	1.69	+2.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.77	5.92	+7.84
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. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QTEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.97, which is higher than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QTEC and VUG, 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	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.97	1.77	+1.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61	0.68	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	0.85	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.62	-0.01

Drawdowns

QTEC vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QTEC drawdown since its inception was -58.86%, which is greater than VUG's maximum drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTEC and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	QTEC	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.86%	-50.68%	-8.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.03%	-16.53%	+0.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.00%	-22.85%	-6.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.54%	-35.61%	-9.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.54%	-35.61%	-9.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.51%	+1.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.89%	-7.09%	-2.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.94%	4.71%	+0.23%

Volatility

QTEC vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC) has a higher volatility of 7.34% compared to Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) at 3.83%. This indicates that QTEC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QTEC	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.34%	3.83%	+3.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.26%	12.11%	+6.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.98%	15.84%	+7.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.19%	22.22%	+6.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.51%	21.44%	+6.07%

QTEC vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

QTEC vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

QTEC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VUG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.37%.

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%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.37%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.14%	1.39%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QTEC and VUG in my portfolio?

QTEC and VUG have a correlation of 0.81, 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 VUG?

QTEC has higher volatility (7.34%) compared to VUG (3.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QTEC dropped -58.86% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which ETF is better, QTEC or VUG?

On 10-year performance, QTEC leads with 23.00% vs 18.26% for VUG. On fees, VUG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VUG has been the lower-risk option at 3.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QTEC or VUG?

Over the 10-year period, QTEC has performed better with a 23.00% return vs 18.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QTEC or VUG?

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

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

VUG has the higher dividend yield at 0.37%, compared with 0.00% for QTEC.

What is the main difference between QTEC and VUG?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QTEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.97 vs 1.77), 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.