QTOP vs. QTEC
QTOP (iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF) and QTEC (First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund) are both Nasdaq-100 funds - QTOP tracks the Nasdaq-100 Top 30 Index while QTEC tracks the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, QTOP returned 26.03% vs 42.45% for QTEC. Their correlation of 0.87 means they have usually moved in the same direction. QTOP charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.57%/yr for QTEC.
Performance
QTOP vs. QTEC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QTOP achieves a 12.29% return, which is significantly lower than QTEC's 29.69% return.
QTOP
- 1D
- 0.76%
- 1M
- -3.71%
- 6M
- 10.80%
- YTD
- 12.29%
- 1Y
- 26.03%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 23.79%
QTEC
- 1D
- 0.27%
- 1M
- -5.23%
- 6M
- 26.76%
- YTD
- 29.69%
- 1Y
- 42.45%
- 3Y*
- 23.84%
- 5Y*
- 12.98%
- 10Y*
- 21.00%
- ALL TIME*
- 14.98%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $78.15M | $73.99M | $89.17M | |
| $6.40M | $5.80M | $7.08M |
QTOP vs. QTEC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
QTOP iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF | 12.29% | 22.19% | 6.25% |
QTEC First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund | 29.69% | 22.28% | -0.45% |
Correlation
The correlation between QTOP and QTEC is 0.87, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.87 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2024 | 0.87 |
The correlation between QTOP and QTEC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.
QTOP vs. QTEC - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
QTOP
QTEC
Technology
Communication Services
Consumer Cyclical
Consumer Defensive
-
Healthcare
-
Basic Materials
-
Industrials
Energy
-
-
Financial Services
-
-
Real Estate
-
-
Utilities
-
-
Technology
QTOP
QTEC
Communication Services
QTOP
QTEC
Consumer Cyclical
QTOP
QTEC
Consumer Defensive
QTOP
QTEC
-
Healthcare
QTOP
QTEC
-
Basic Materials
QTOP
QTEC
-
Industrials
QTOP
QTEC
Energy
QTOP
-
QTEC
-
Financial Services
QTOP
-
QTEC
-
Real Estate
QTOP
-
QTEC
-
Utilities
QTOP
-
QTEC
-
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Return for Risk
QTOP vs. QTEC — Risk / Return Rank
QTOP
QTEC
QTOP vs. QTEC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF (QTOP) and First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC). 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.
| QTOP | QTEC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.31 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.35 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | 1.24 | -0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.79 | 2.46 | -0.67 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.58 | 6.90 | -1.31 |
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Drawdowns
QTOP vs. QTEC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QTOP drawdown since its inception was -23.28%, smaller than the maximum QTEC drawdown of -58.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTOP and QTEC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QTOP | QTEC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -23.28% | -58.86% | +35.58% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.02% | -16.03% | +3.01% |
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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.69% | -11.08% | +2.39% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.93% | -9.86% | +5.93% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.18% | 5.72% | -1.54% |
Volatility
QTOP vs. QTEC - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF (QTOP) is 8.33%, while First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC) has a volatility of 9.69%. This indicates that QTOP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QTEC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| QTOP | QTEC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.33% | 9.69% | -1.36% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 18.01% | 23.97% | -5.96% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.39% | 28.24% | -6.85% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.79% | 30.05% | -6.26% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.79% | 27.88% | -4.09% |
QTOP vs. QTEC - Expense Ratio Comparison
QTOP has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than QTEC's 0.57% expense ratio.
Dividends
QTOP vs. QTEC - Dividend Comparison
QTOP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.35%, more than QTEC's 0.01% 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% |
QTOP iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF | 0.35% | 0.38% | 0.11% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
QTOP and QTEC have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QTEC has higher volatility (9.69%) compared to QTOP (8.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QTOP dropped -23.28% vs QTEC's -58.86%.
On 1-year performance, QTEC leads with 42.45% vs 26.03% for QTOP. On fees, QTOP is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, QTOP has been the lower-risk option at 8.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, QTEC has performed better with a 42.45% return vs 26.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
QTOP is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.57% for QTEC.
QTOP has the higher dividend yield at 0.35%, compared with 0.01% for QTEC.
QTOP tracks Nasdaq-100 Top 30 Index, while QTEC tracks NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for QTOP and 0.57% for QTEC.
QTEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.40 vs 1.09), 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.
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