RDVY vs. QQQX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

RDVY (First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) and QQQX (Nuveen NASDAQ 100 Dynamic Overwrite Fund) are both funds - RDVY is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ US Rising Dividend Achievers, while QQQX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RDVY returned 15.65%/yr vs 13.33%/yr for QQQX. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RDVY charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.92%/yr for QQQX.

Performance

RDVY vs. QQQX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) and Nuveen NASDAQ 100 Dynamic Overwrite Fund (QQQX). 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 RDVY having a 11.06% return and QQQX slightly higher at 11.14%. Over the past 10 years, RDVY has outperformed QQQX with an annualized return of 15.65%, while QQQX has yielded a comparatively lower 13.33% annualized return.

RDVY

• 1D: 1.13%
• 1M: 3.30%
• YTD: 11.06%
• 6M: 11.87%
• 1Y: 28.04%
• 3Y*: 21.09%
• 5Y*: 11.26%
• 10Y*: 15.65%

QQQX

• 1D: -0.61%
• 1M: 2.18%
• YTD: 11.14%
• 6M: 14.21%
• 1Y: 32.80%
• 3Y*: 15.49%
• 5Y*: 9.44%
• 10Y*: 13.33%

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

RDVY vs. QQQX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	11.06%	18.90%	16.41%	20.38%	-13.27%	31.14%	13.47%	37.71%	-9.92%	22.75%
QQQX Nuveen NASDAQ 100 Dynamic Overwrite Fund	11.14%	14.87%	25.61%	21.68%	-27.39%	25.32%	15.75%	28.83%	-11.68%	39.19%

Correlation

The correlation between RDVY and QQQX is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 8, 2014	0.60

The correlation between RDVY and QQQX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.54 to 0.61 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RDVY vs. QQQX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RDVY

RDVY Risk / Return Rank: 63
RDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
RDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
RDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 59
RDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
RDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 71

QQQX

QQQX Risk / Return Rank: 68
QQQX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
QQQX Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
QQQX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
QQQX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
QQQX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

RDVY vs. QQQX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) and Nuveen NASDAQ 100 Dynamic Overwrite Fund (QQQX). 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.

	RDVY	QQQX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.01	2.24	-0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.87	3.25	-0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.42	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.12	3.61	-0.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.11	16.87	-3.76
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RDVY vs. QQQX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RDVY Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is comparable to the QQQX Sharpe Ratio of 2.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RDVY and QQQX, 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

	RDVY	QQQX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.01	2.24	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.48	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74	0.63	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.48	+0.19

Drawdowns

RDVY vs. QQQX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RDVY drawdown since its inception was -40.60%, smaller than the maximum QQQX drawdown of -57.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RDVY and QQQX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RDVY	QQQX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.60%	-57.25%	+16.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.04%	-9.11%	+0.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.11%	-22.80%	+3.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.32%	-29.33%	+4.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.60%	-35.96%	-4.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.36%	+2.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.00%	-8.02%	+3.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.14%	1.95%	+0.19%

Volatility

RDVY vs. QQQX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) is 4.01%, while Nuveen NASDAQ 100 Dynamic Overwrite Fund (QQQX) has a volatility of 4.31%. This indicates that RDVY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RDVY	QQQX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.01%	4.31%	-0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.99%	11.58%	-0.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.04%	14.71%	-0.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.92%	19.82%	-0.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.11%	21.06%	+0.05%

RDVY vs. QQQX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RDVY has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than QQQX's 0.92% expense ratio.

Dividends

RDVY vs. QQQX - Dividend Comparison

RDVY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.91%, less than QQQX's 7.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQX Nuveen NASDAQ 100 Dynamic Overwrite Fund	7.40%	7.85%	6.73%	7.26%	9.66%	5.85%	6.00%	6.49%	8.40%	5.95%	7.54%	7.23%
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	0.91%	1.11%	1.64%	2.09%	2.21%	1.04%	1.53%	1.55%	1.68%	1.25%	2.07%	2.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RDVY and QQQX in my portfolio?

RDVY and QQQX have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RDVY or QQQX?

QQQX has higher volatility (4.31%) compared to RDVY (4.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RDVY dropped -40.60% vs QQQX's -57.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.24 vs 2.01), 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.