QYLG vs. FTQI

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

QYLG (Global X Nasdaq 100 Covered Call & Growth ETF) and FTQI (First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds - QYLG tracks the CBOE Nasdaq-100 BuyWrite V2 Index while FTQI tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QYLG returned 11.73%/yr vs 12.02%/yr for FTQI. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QYLG charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for FTQI.

Performance

QYLG vs. FTQI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Nasdaq 100 Covered Call & Growth ETF (QYLG) and First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with QYLG having a 12.90% return and FTQI slightly higher at 12.96%.

QYLG

• 1D: -1.71%
• 1M: 0.11%
• 6M: 10.91%
• YTD: 12.90%
• 1Y: 25.69%
• 3Y*: 18.73%
• 5Y*: 11.73%
• 10Y*: —

FTQI

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 2.11%
• 6M: 11.94%
• YTD: 12.96%
• 1Y: 27.21%
• 3Y*: 16.77%
• 5Y*: 12.02%
• 10Y*: 7.62%

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

QYLG vs. FTQI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
QYLG Global X Nasdaq 100 Covered Call & Growth ETF	12.90%	15.29%	22.02%	38.73%	-26.27%	18.29%	13.88%
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	12.96%	12.68%	18.30%	23.63%	-8.77%	10.46%	7.39%

Correlation

The correlation between QYLG and FTQI is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2020	0.74

The correlation between QYLG and FTQI shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (all time) to 0.90 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QYLG vs. FTQI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QYLG	FTQI
Technology	58.7%	49.4%
Communication Services	14.3%	11.8%
Consumer Cyclical	11.4%	10.5%
Consumer Defensive	6.4%	6.2%
Healthcare	3.7%	6.0%
Industrials	2.6%	4.1%
Utilities	1.2%	1.5%
Basic Materials	1.0%	1.4%
Energy	0.5%	2.3%
Financial Services	0.2%	5.5%
Real Estate	0.1%	1.3%

Return for Risk

QYLG vs. FTQI — Risk / Return Rank

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

QYLG

QYLG Risk / Return Rank: 73
QYLG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
QYLG Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
QYLG Omega Ratio Rank: 69
QYLG Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
QYLG Martin Ratio Rank: 83

FTQI

FTQI Risk / Return Rank: 92
FTQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
FTQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
FTQI Omega Ratio Rank: 91
FTQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
FTQI Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

QYLG vs. FTQI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Nasdaq 100 Covered Call & Growth ETF (QYLG) and First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI). 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.

	QYLG	FTQI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	2.52	-0.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.48	3.48	-1.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.47	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	4.38	-1.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.95	20.76	-7.81

QYLG vs. FTQI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QYLG Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is comparable to the FTQI Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QYLG and FTQI, 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

QYLG vs. FTQI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QYLG drawdown since its inception was -29.98%, which is greater than FTQI's maximum drawdown of -19.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QYLG and FTQI.

Drawdown Indicators

	QYLG	FTQI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.98%	-19.42%	-10.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.42%	-6.24%	-2.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.75%	-19.42%	-1.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.98%	-19.42%	-10.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-19.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.49%	-0.67%	-1.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.34%	-3.73%	-2.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.99%	1.31%	+0.68%

Volatility

QYLG vs. FTQI - Volatility Comparison

Global X Nasdaq 100 Covered Call & Growth ETF (QYLG) has a higher volatility of 6.76% compared to First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) at 3.29%. This indicates that QYLG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTQI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QYLG	FTQI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.76%	3.29%	+3.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.19%	8.79%	+3.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.28%	10.86%	+3.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.29%	14.83%	+3.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.06%	13.16%	+4.90%

QYLG vs. FTQI - Expense Ratio Comparison

QYLG has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than FTQI's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

QYLG vs. FTQI - Dividend Comparison

QYLG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 16.61%, more than FTQI's 10.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	10.90%	11.46%	11.66%	11.49%	9.85%	3.05%	3.27%	2.95%	3.27%	2.74%	3.02%	3.54%
QYLG Global X Nasdaq 100 Covered Call & Growth ETF	16.61%	17.93%	25.27%	5.43%	6.91%	10.15%	1.44%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QYLG and FTQI in my portfolio?

QYLG and FTQI have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QYLG or FTQI?

QYLG has higher volatility (6.76%) compared to FTQI (3.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QYLG dropped -29.98% vs FTQI's -19.42%.

Which ETF is better, QYLG or FTQI?

On 5-year performance, FTQI leads with 12.02% vs 11.73% for QYLG. On fees, QYLG is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FTQI has been the lower-risk option at 3.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QYLG or FTQI?

Over the 5-year period, FTQI has performed better with a 12.02% return vs 11.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QYLG or FTQI?

QYLG is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for FTQI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QYLG or FTQI?

QYLG has the higher dividend yield at 16.61%, compared with 10.90% for FTQI.

What is the main difference between QYLG and FTQI?

QYLG tracks CBOE Nasdaq-100 BuyWrite V2 Index, while FTQI tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for QYLG and 0.75% for FTQI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTQI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.81), 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.