QTOP vs. VGT

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

QTOP (iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF) and VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QTOP is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the Nasdaq-100 Top 30 Index, while VGT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, QTOP returned 26.03% vs 34.81% for VGT. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. QTOP charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VGT.

Performance

QTOP vs. VGT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF (QTOP) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QTOP achieves a 12.29% return, which is significantly lower than VGT's 20.36% return.

QTOP

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: -3.71%
• 6M: 10.80%
• YTD: 12.29%
• 1Y: 26.03%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 23.79%

VGT

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: -1.30%
• 6M: 21.30%
• YTD: 20.36%
• 1Y: 34.81%
• 3Y*: 26.48%
• 5Y*: 17.81%
• 10Y*: 24.06%
• ALL TIME*: 14.84%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
QTOP iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF	$6.40M	$5.80M	$7.08M
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	$440.89M	$515.41M	$573.34M

QTOP vs. VGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QTOP iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF	12.29%	22.19%	6.25%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	20.36%	21.77%	4.26%

Correlation

The correlation between QTOP and VGT is 0.93, 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.	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2024	0.94

The correlation between QTOP and VGT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

QTOP vs. VGT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QTOP	VGT
Technology	67.0%	98.6%
Communication Services	15.2%	0.5%
Consumer Cyclical	9.1%	0.1%
Consumer Defensive	7.2%	-
Healthcare	2.9%	0.0%
Basic Materials	1.5%	0.0%
Industrials	0.9%	0.4%
Energy	-	0.3%
Financial Services	-	0.5%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

QTOP vs. VGT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

QTOP

QTOP Risk / Return Rank: 46
QTOP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
QTOP Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
QTOP Omega Ratio Rank: 42
QTOP Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
QTOP Martin Ratio Rank: 49

VGT

VGT Risk / Return Rank: 52
VGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
VGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
VGT Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VGT Martin Ratio Rank: 46

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

QTOP vs. VGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF (QTOP) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). 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	VGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.09	1.31	-0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.58	1.82	-0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.23	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.79	1.94	-0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.58	5.23	+0.35

QTOP vs. VGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QTOP Sharpe Ratio is 1.09, which is comparable to the VGT Sharpe Ratio of 1.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QTOP and VGT, 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

QTOP vs. VGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QTOP drawdown since its inception was -23.28%, smaller than the maximum VGT drawdown of -54.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTOP and VGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	QTOP	VGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.28%	-54.63%	+31.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.02%	-16.40%	+3.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-27.23%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.07%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.69%	-9.93%	+1.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.93%	-7.95%	+4.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.18%	6.07%	-1.89%

Volatility

QTOP vs. VGT - Volatility Comparison

iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF (QTOP) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) have volatilities of 8.33% and 8.42%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QTOP	VGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.33%	8.42%	-0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.01%	20.14%	-2.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.39%	24.28%	-2.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.79%	25.83%	-2.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.79%	24.89%	-1.10%

QTOP vs. VGT - Expense Ratio Comparison

QTOP has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than VGT's 0.09% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

QTOP vs. VGT - Dividend Comparison

QTOP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.35%, less than VGT's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	0.38%	0.40%	0.60%	0.65%	0.91%	0.64%	0.82%	1.11%	1.29%	0.99%	1.31%	1.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QTOP and VGT in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, QTOP and VGT 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, QTOP or VGT?

VGT has higher volatility (8.42%) compared to QTOP (8.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QTOP dropped -23.28% vs VGT's -54.63%.

Which ETF is better, QTOP or VGT?

On 1-year performance, VGT leads with 34.81% vs 26.03% for QTOP. On fees, VGT is cheaper at 0.09% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QTOP or VGT?

Over the 1-year period, VGT has performed better with a 34.81% return vs 26.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QTOP or VGT?

VGT is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for QTOP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QTOP or VGT?

VGT has the higher dividend yield at 0.38%, compared with 0.35% for QTOP.

What is the main difference between QTOP and VGT?

QTOP is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while VGT is Technology Equities. QTOP tracks Nasdaq-100 Top 30 Index, while VGT tracks MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for QTOP and 0.09% for VGT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.31 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.