QTEC vs. XLK

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

QTEC (First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund) and XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QTEC is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index, while XLK is a Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QTEC returned 23.50%/yr vs 25.76%/yr for XLK. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QTEC charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLK.

Performance

QTEC vs. XLK - 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 State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QTEC achieves a 40.25% return, which is significantly higher than XLK's 28.51% return. Over the past 10 years, QTEC has underperformed XLK with an annualized return of 23.50%, while XLK has yielded a comparatively higher 25.76% annualized return.

QTEC

• 1D: 1.67%
• 1M: 2.80%
• YTD: 40.25%
• 6M: 37.40%
• 1Y: 53.38%
• 3Y*: 31.63%
• 5Y*: 15.73%
• 10Y*: 23.50%

XLK

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: -0.19%
• YTD: 28.51%
• 6M: 26.47%
• 1Y: 48.82%
• 3Y*: 31.01%
• 5Y*: 21.42%
• 10Y*: 25.76%

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

QTEC vs. XLK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QTEC First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund	40.25%	22.28%	7.32%	67.02%	-39.83%	26.89%	38.76%	48.22%	-4.62%	37.78%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	28.51%	24.61%	21.63%	56.02%	-27.73%	34.74%	43.62%	49.86%	-1.68%	34.26%

Correlation

The correlation between QTEC and XLK is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 2, 2006	0.89

The correlation between QTEC and XLK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

QTEC vs. XLK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QTEC	XLK
Technology	89.8%	99.7%
Communication Services	5.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	3.0%	-
Industrials	1.4%	0.1%
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.2%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

QTEC vs. XLK — Risk / Return Rank

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

QTEC

QTEC Risk / Return Rank: 70
QTEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
QTEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
QTEC Omega Ratio Rank: 67
QTEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
QTEC Martin Ratio Rank: 66

XLK

XLK Risk / Return Rank: 69
XLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
XLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
XLK Omega Ratio Rank: 69
XLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
XLK Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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. XLK - 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 State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). 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	XLK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.05	2.09	-0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.60	2.62	-0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.35	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.35	3.08	+0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.49	9.75	+0.75

QTEC vs. XLK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QTEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.05, which is comparable to the XLK Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QTEC and XLK, 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. XLK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QTEC drawdown since its inception was -58.86%, smaller than the maximum XLK drawdown of -82.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTEC and XLK.

Drawdown Indicators

	QTEC	XLK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.86%	-82.05%	+23.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.03%	-15.92%	-0.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.00%	-25.66%	-3.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.54%	-33.56%	-11.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.54%	-33.56%	-11.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.83%	-6.77%	+2.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.87%	-34.89%	+25.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.10%	5.02%	+0.08%

Volatility

QTEC vs. XLK - Volatility Comparison

First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC) has a higher volatility of 14.21% compared to State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) at 12.25%. This indicates that QTEC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QTEC	XLK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.21%	12.25%	+1.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.98%	19.63%	+2.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.11%	23.42%	+2.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.73%	25.37%	+4.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.75%	24.71%	+3.04%

QTEC vs. XLK - Expense Ratio Comparison

QTEC has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than XLK's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

QTEC vs. XLK - Dividend Comparison

QTEC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%, less than XLK's 0.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QTEC First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund	0.01%	0.00%	0.02%	0.14%	0.15%	0.02%	0.44%	0.68%	0.91%	0.80%	1.29%	0.99%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.43%	0.54%	0.66%	0.76%	1.04%	0.65%	0.92%	1.16%	1.60%	1.37%	1.74%	1.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QTEC and XLK in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, QTEC and XLK 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 is riskier, QTEC or XLK?

QTEC has higher volatility (14.21%) compared to XLK (12.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QTEC dropped -58.86% vs XLK's -82.05%.

Which ETF is better, QTEC or XLK?

On 10-year performance, XLK leads with 25.76% vs 23.50% for QTEC. On fees, XLK is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLK has been the lower-risk option at 12.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QTEC or XLK?

Over the 10-year period, XLK has performed better with a 25.76% return vs 23.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QTEC or XLK?

XLK is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.57% for QTEC.

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

XLK has the higher dividend yield at 0.43%, compared with 0.01% for QTEC.

What is the main difference between QTEC and XLK?

QTEC is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while XLK is Technology Equities. QTEC tracks NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index, while XLK tracks S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for QTEC and 0.08% for XLK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 2.05), 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.