SEPI vs. FTQI

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SEPI (Shelton Equity Premium Income ETF) and FTQI (First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SEPI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Shelton, while FTQI is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. SEPI is actively managed, while FTQI is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SEPI charges 0.54%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for FTQI.

Performance

SEPI vs. FTQI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Shelton Equity Premium Income ETF (SEPI) 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, SEPI achieves a 9.44% return, which is significantly lower than FTQI's 10.72% return.

SEPI

• 1D: -0.61%
• 1M: -0.08%
• YTD: 9.44%
• 6M: 9.06%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FTQI

• 1D: -0.90%
• 1M: 1.53%
• YTD: 10.72%
• 6M: 9.88%
• 1Y: 27.20%
• 3Y*: 16.88%
• 5Y*: 11.03%
• 10Y*: 8.16%

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

SEPI vs. FTQI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SEPI Shelton Equity Premium Income ETF	9.44%	6.25%
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	10.72%	7.25%

Correlation

The correlation between SEPI and FTQI is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 8, 2025	0.86

Return for Risk

SEPI vs. FTQI — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEPI

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

FTQI

FTQI Risk / Return Rank: 86
FTQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
FTQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
FTQI Omega Ratio Rank: 85
FTQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
FTQI Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

SEPI vs. FTQI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Shelton Equity Premium Income ETF (SEPI) 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.

	SEPI	FTQI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	2.57	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	3.52	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.49	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	4.38	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	20.88	—

Drawdowns

SEPI vs. FTQI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEPI drawdown since its inception was -7.66%, smaller than the maximum FTQI drawdown of -19.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEPI and FTQI.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEPI	FTQI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.66%	-19.42%	+11.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-6.24%	—
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	-1.87%	-0.90%	-0.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.45%	-3.74%	+2.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.31%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SEPI	FTQI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	3.26%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	8.58%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.84%	10.67%	+2.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.84%	14.83%	-1.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.84%	13.33%	-0.49%

SEPI vs. FTQI - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEPI has a 0.54% expense ratio, which is lower than FTQI's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEPI vs. FTQI - Dividend Comparison

SEPI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.75%, less than FTQI's 10.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTQI First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF	10.97%	11.46%	11.66%	11.49%	9.85%	3.05%	3.27%	2.95%	3.27%	2.74%	3.02%	3.54%
SEPI Shelton Equity Premium Income ETF	4.75%	1.37%	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 SEPI and FTQI in my portfolio?

SEPI and FTQI have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, SEPI or FTQI?

On fees, SEPI is cheaper at 0.54% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEPI or FTQI?

SEPI is cheaper with a 0.54% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for FTQI.

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

FTQI has the higher dividend yield at 10.97%, compared with 4.75% for SEPI.

What is the main difference between SEPI and FTQI?

SEPI is categorized as Derivative Income, while FTQI is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Shelton and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.54% for SEPI and 0.75% for FTQI.