QVOY vs. FCEF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QVOY (Q3 All-Season Active Rotation ETF) and FCEF (First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, QVOY returned 15.66%/yr vs 15.70%/yr for FCEF. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QVOY charges 1.30%/yr vs 2.91%/yr for FCEF.

Performance

QVOY vs. FCEF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Q3 All-Season Active Rotation ETF (QVOY) and First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF (FCEF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QVOY achieves a 17.87% return, which is significantly higher than FCEF's 6.40% return.

QVOY

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: 7.72%
• YTD: 17.87%
• 6M: 19.53%
• 1Y: 36.83%
• 3Y*: 15.66%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FCEF

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: 0.80%
• YTD: 6.40%
• 6M: 7.10%
• 1Y: 16.10%
• 3Y*: 15.70%
• 5Y*: 5.84%
• 10Y*: —

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

QVOY vs. FCEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
QVOY Q3 All-Season Active Rotation ETF	17.87%	16.45%	1.55%	17.19%	-0.53%
FCEF First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF	6.40%	14.39%	17.51%	10.27%	-2.71%

Correlation

The correlation between QVOY and FCEF is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 8, 2022	0.65

The correlation between QVOY and FCEF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.65 - a consistent structural relationship.

QVOY vs. FCEF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QVOY	FCEF
Energy	19.3%	13.6%
Utilities	18.7%	15.0%
Technology	15.3%	11.9%
Financial Services	11.4%	25.5%
Industrials	9.9%	8.5%
Consumer Cyclical	6.5%	3.7%
Healthcare	5.8%	9.2%
Consumer Defensive	3.6%	2.1%
Real Estate	3.5%	3.5%
Communication Services	3.1%	4.4%
Basic Materials	3.0%	2.7%

Return for Risk

QVOY vs. FCEF — Risk / Return Rank

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

QVOY

QVOY Risk / Return Rank: 70
QVOY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
QVOY Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
QVOY Omega Ratio Rank: 71
QVOY Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
QVOY Martin Ratio Rank: 67

FCEF

FCEF Risk / Return Rank: 59
FCEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
FCEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
FCEF Omega Ratio Rank: 65
FCEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
FCEF Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

QVOY vs. FCEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Q3 All-Season Active Rotation ETF (QVOY) and First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF (FCEF). 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.

	QVOY	FCEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	2.09	+0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.90	2.90	+0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.39	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.94	2.30	+1.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.07	10.40	+1.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QVOY vs. FCEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QVOY Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is comparable to the FCEF Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QVOY and FCEF, 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

	QVOY	FCEF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33	2.09	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.48	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.01	0.53	+0.48

Drawdowns

QVOY vs. FCEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QVOY drawdown since its inception was -17.05%, smaller than the maximum FCEF drawdown of -44.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QVOY and FCEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	QVOY	FCEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.05%	-44.81%	+27.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.39%	-7.03%	-2.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.05%	-12.39%	-4.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.32%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.40%	-1.13%	+0.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.74%	-6.28%	+2.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.06%	1.55%	+1.51%

Volatility

QVOY vs. FCEF - Volatility Comparison

Q3 All-Season Active Rotation ETF (QVOY) has a higher volatility of 4.58% compared to First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF (FCEF) at 2.11%. This indicates that QVOY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FCEF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QVOY	FCEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.58%	2.11%	+2.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.58%	6.18%	+6.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.90%	7.75%	+8.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.93%	12.19%	+2.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.93%	15.42%	-0.49%

QVOY vs. FCEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

QVOY has a 1.30% expense ratio, which is lower than FCEF's 2.91% expense ratio.

Dividends

QVOY vs. FCEF - Dividend Comparison

QVOY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.89%, more than FCEF's 6.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
FCEF First Trust CEF Income Opportunity ETF	6.86%	7.05%	7.13%	7.17%	7.26%	4.74%	5.03%	5.07%	5.96%	4.90%	1.51%
QVOY Q3 All-Season Active Rotation ETF	7.89%	9.30%	10.88%	6.03%	0.46%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QVOY and FCEF in my portfolio?

QVOY and FCEF have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QVOY or FCEF?

QVOY has higher volatility (4.58%) compared to FCEF (2.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QVOY dropped -17.05% vs FCEF's -44.81%.

Which ETF is better, QVOY or FCEF?

On 3-year performance, FCEF leads with 15.70% vs 15.66% for QVOY. On fees, QVOY is cheaper at 1.30% per year. On volatility, FCEF has been the lower-risk option at 2.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QVOY or FCEF?

Over the 3-year period, FCEF has performed better with a 15.70% return vs 15.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QVOY or FCEF?

QVOY is cheaper with a 1.30% expense ratio, compared with 2.91% for FCEF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QVOY or FCEF?

QVOY has the higher dividend yield at 7.89%, compared with 6.86% for FCEF.

What is the main difference between QVOY and FCEF?

They also come from different issuers: Q3 and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 1.30% for QVOY and 2.91% for FCEF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QVOY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 2.09), 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.