QTUM vs. HXQ.TO

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

QTUM (Defiance Quantum ETF) and HXQ.TO (Horizons NASDAQ-100 Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QTUM is a Technology Equities fund tracking the BlueStar Machine Learning and Quantum Computing Index, while HXQ.TO is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QTUM returned 27.81%/yr vs 16.75%/yr for HXQ.TO. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QTUM charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for HXQ.TO.

Performance

QTUM vs. HXQ.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) and Horizons NASDAQ-100 Index ETF (HXQ.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

QTUM is traded in USD, while HXQ.TO is traded in CAD. To make them comparable, the HXQ.TO values have been converted to USD using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QTUM achieves a 44.14% return, which is significantly higher than HXQ.TO's 16.40% return.

QTUM

• 1D: 3.25%
• 1M: 8.85%
• YTD: 44.14%
• 6M: 39.20%
• 1Y: 80.80%
• 3Y*: 48.48%
• 5Y*: 27.81%
• 10Y*: —

HXQ.TO

• 1D: 1.16%
• 1M: 0.60%
• YTD: 16.40%
• 6M: 15.07%
• 1Y: 35.29%
• 3Y*: 26.98%
• 5Y*: 16.75%
• 10Y*: 21.05%

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

QTUM vs. HXQ.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF	44.14%	36.65%	50.54%	39.86%	-28.80%	35.18%	42.05%	47.99%	-19.02%
HXQ.TO Horizons NASDAQ-100 Index ETF	16.40%	20.55%	25.37%	54.85%	-32.14%	26.26%	49.12%	37.94%	-16.23%

Correlation

The correlation between QTUM and HXQ.TO is 0.70, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 6, 2018	0.70

The correlation between QTUM and HXQ.TO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

QTUM vs. HXQ.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QTUM	HXQ.TO
Technology	85.1%	55.9%
Industrials	8.7%	3.1%
Communication Services	4.9%	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	0.7%	13.2%
Healthcare	0.6%	4.4%
Basic Materials	-	1.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.4%
Energy	-	0.5%
Financial Services	-	0.3%
Real Estate	-	0.2%
Utilities	-	1.4%

Return for Risk

QTUM vs. HXQ.TO — Risk / Return Rank

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

QTUM

QTUM Risk / Return Rank: 89
QTUM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
QTUM Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
QTUM Omega Ratio Rank: 85
QTUM Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
QTUM Martin Ratio Rank: 91

HXQ.TO

HXQ.TO Risk / Return Rank: 73
HXQ.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
HXQ.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
HXQ.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 79
HXQ.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
HXQ.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

QTUM vs. HXQ.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) and Horizons NASDAQ-100 Index ETF (HXQ.TO). 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.

	QTUM	HXQ.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.94	2.09	+0.85
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.42	2.71	+0.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.38	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.32	2.96	+2.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.76	11.09	+8.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QTUM vs. HXQ.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QTUM Sharpe Ratio is 2.94, which is higher than the HXQ.TO Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QTUM and HXQ.TO, 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

	QTUM	HXQ.TO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.94	2.09	+0.85
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.04	0.78	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.98	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.03	0.97	+0.06

Drawdowns

QTUM vs. HXQ.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QTUM drawdown since its inception was -38.45%, which is greater than HXQ.TO's maximum drawdown of -35.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTUM and HXQ.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	QTUM	HXQ.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.45%	-35.78%	-2.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.26%	-11.98%	-3.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.39%	-22.85%	-2.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.45%	-35.78%	-2.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.78%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.53%	-4.21%	-2.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.25%	-6.35%	-1.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.10%	3.19%	+0.91%

Volatility

QTUM vs. HXQ.TO - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) has a higher volatility of 13.41% compared to Horizons NASDAQ-100 Index ETF (HXQ.TO) at 6.64%. This indicates that QTUM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HXQ.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QTUM	HXQ.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.41%	6.64%	+6.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.31%	13.11%	+9.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.73%	17.01%	+10.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.85%	21.59%	+5.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.34%	21.56%	+5.78%

QTUM vs. HXQ.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

QTUM has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than HXQ.TO's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

QTUM vs. HXQ.TO - Dividend Comparison

QTUM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.74%, while HXQ.TO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
HXQ.TO Horizons NASDAQ-100 Index ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF	0.74%	1.01%	0.61%	0.81%	1.46%	0.48%	0.42%	0.61%	0.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QTUM and HXQ.TO in my portfolio?

QTUM and HXQ.TO have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, QTUM or HXQ.TO?

On fees, HXQ.TO is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, QTUM or HXQ.TO?

HXQ.TO is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for QTUM.

What is the main difference between QTUM and HXQ.TO?

QTUM is categorized as Technology Equities, while HXQ.TO is Nasdaq-100. QTUM tracks BlueStar Machine Learning and Quantum Computing Index, while HXQ.TO tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and Horizons. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for QTUM and 0.25% for HXQ.TO.