SDTY vs. FTQI

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

SDTY (YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF) and FTQI (First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SDTY is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax, while FTQI is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. SDTY is actively managed, while FTQI is passively managed. Over the past year, SDTY returned 19.19% vs 26.34% for FTQI. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SDTY charges 1.01%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for FTQI.

Performance

SDTY vs. FTQI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (SDTY) and First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SDTY achieves a 8.86% return, which is significantly lower than FTQI's 12.76% return.

SDTY

• 1D: -0.42%
• 1M: 0.86%
• 6M: 7.28%
• YTD: 8.86%
• 1Y: 19.19%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FTQI

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 1.28%
• 6M: 11.68%
• YTD: 12.76%
• 1Y: 26.34%
• 3Y*: 16.62%
• 5Y*: 12.26%
• 10Y*: 7.85%

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

SDTY vs. FTQI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SDTY YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF	8.86%	9.67%
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	12.76%	9.95%

Correlation

The correlation between SDTY and FTQI is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 6, 2025	0.84

The correlation between SDTY and FTQI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

SDTY vs. FTQI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SDTY	FTQI
Technology	39.0%	49.4%
Financial Services	11.1%	5.5%
Communication Services	10.6%	11.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.9%	10.5%
Healthcare	8.3%	6.0%
Industrials	7.8%	4.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	6.2%
Energy	3.1%	2.3%
Utilities	2.1%	1.5%
Real Estate	1.8%	1.3%
Basic Materials	1.7%	1.4%

Return for Risk

SDTY vs. FTQI — Risk / Return Rank

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

SDTY

SDTY Risk / Return Rank: 62
SDTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
SDTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
SDTY Omega Ratio Rank: 62
SDTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SDTY Martin Ratio Rank: 68

FTQI

FTQI Risk / Return Rank: 91
FTQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
FTQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
FTQI Omega Ratio Rank: 90
FTQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
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.

SDTY vs. FTQI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (SDTY) 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.

	SDTY	FTQI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.66	2.43	-0.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.28	3.37	-1.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.45	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.40	4.24	-1.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.63	20.07	-10.44

SDTY vs. FTQI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDTY Sharpe Ratio is 1.66, which is lower than the FTQI Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDTY 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

SDTY vs. FTQI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDTY drawdown since its inception was -18.63%, roughly equal to the maximum FTQI drawdown of -19.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDTY and FTQI.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDTY	FTQI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.63%	-19.42%	+0.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.02%	-6.24%	-1.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.42%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.42%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-19.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.42%	-0.85%	+0.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.90%	-3.73%	+0.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.00%	1.32%	+0.68%

Volatility

SDTY vs. FTQI - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (SDTY) has a higher volatility of 3.16% compared to First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) at 2.92%. This indicates that SDTY'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

	SDTY	FTQI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.16%	2.92%	+0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.21%	8.83%	+0.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.64%	10.87%	+0.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.54%	14.82%	+1.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.54%	12.98%	+3.56%

SDTY vs. FTQI - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDTY has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is higher than FTQI's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDTY vs. FTQI - Dividend Comparison

SDTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 27.07%, more than FTQI's 10.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	10.92%	11.46%	11.66%	11.49%	9.85%	3.05%	3.27%	2.95%	3.27%	2.74%	3.02%	3.54%
SDTY YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF	27.07%	22.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SDTY and FTQI in my portfolio?

SDTY and FTQI have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SDTY or FTQI?

SDTY has higher volatility (3.16%) compared to FTQI (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDTY dropped -18.63% vs FTQI's -19.42%.

Which ETF is better, SDTY or FTQI?

On 1-year performance, FTQI leads with 26.34% vs 19.19% for SDTY. On fees, FTQI is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, FTQI has been the lower-risk option at 2.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SDTY or FTQI?

Over the 1-year period, FTQI has performed better with a 26.34% return vs 19.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SDTY or FTQI?

FTQI is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 1.01% for SDTY.

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

SDTY has the higher dividend yield at 27.07%, compared with 10.92% for FTQI.

What is the main difference between SDTY and FTQI?

SDTY is categorized as Derivative Income, while FTQI is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 1.01% for SDTY and 0.75% for FTQI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTQI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 1.66), 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.