STE vs. QTEC

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

STE (STERIS plc) is a stock, while QTEC (First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index. Over the past 10 years, STE returned 13.58%/yr vs 21.34%/yr for QTEC. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

STE vs. QTEC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in STERIS plc (STE) and First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, STE achieves a -12.29% return, which is significantly lower than QTEC's 32.07% return. Over the past 10 years, STE has underperformed QTEC with an annualized return of 13.58%, while QTEC has yielded a comparatively higher 21.34% annualized return.

STE

• 1D: 4.57%
• 1M: 7.08%
• 6M: -17.11%
• YTD: -12.29%
• 1Y: -1.82%
• 3Y*: -0.07%
• 5Y*: 2.23%
• 10Y*: 13.58%

QTEC

• 1D: -2.73%
• 1M: -6.22%
• 6M: 28.27%
• YTD: 32.07%
• 1Y: 41.63%
• 3Y*: 25.33%
• 5Y*: 14.69%
• 10Y*: 21.34%

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

STE vs. QTEC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
STE STERIS plc	-12.29%	24.57%	-5.60%	20.19%	-23.43%	29.47%	25.50%	44.09%	23.66%	31.73%
QTEC First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund	32.07%	22.28%	7.32%	67.02%	-39.83%	26.89%	38.76%	48.22%	-4.62%	37.78%

Correlation

The correlation between STE and QTEC is 0.07, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 2, 2006	0.48

Over the past year, the correlation between STE and QTEC has dropped to 0.07 - well below their long-term average of 0.48, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

STE vs. QTEC — Risk / Return Rank

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

STE

STE Risk / Return Rank: 39
STE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
STE Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
STE Omega Ratio Rank: 35
STE Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
STE Martin Ratio Rank: 42

QTEC

QTEC Risk / Return Rank: 56
QTEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
QTEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
QTEC Omega Ratio Rank: 50
QTEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
QTEC Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

STE vs. QTEC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for STERIS plc (STE) and First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC). 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.

	STE	QTEC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.07	1.52	-1.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.08	2.03	-1.95
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.26	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.07	2.61	-2.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.15	7.91	-8.06

STE vs. QTEC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STE Sharpe Ratio is -0.07, which is lower than the QTEC Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STE and QTEC, 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

STE vs. QTEC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STE drawdown since its inception was -77.22%, which is greater than QTEC's maximum drawdown of -58.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STE and QTEC.

Drawdown Indicators

	STE	QTEC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.22%	-58.86%	-18.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-25.37%	-16.03%	-9.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.37%	-29.00%	+3.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.18%	-45.54%	+9.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.18%	-45.54%	+9.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.23%	-9.44%	-7.79%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.33%	-9.86%	-8.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.25%	5.28%	+6.97%

Volatility

STE vs. QTEC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for STERIS plc (STE) is 10.21%, while First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC) has a volatility of 11.26%. This indicates that STE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QTEC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STE	QTEC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.21%	11.26%	-1.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.27%	23.41%	-3.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.54%	27.47%	-1.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.15%	29.95%	-3.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.08%	27.82%	-2.74%

Dividends

STE vs. QTEC - Dividend Comparison

STE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.14%, more than QTEC's 0.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QTEC First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index Fund	0.01%	0.00%	0.02%	0.14%	0.15%	0.02%	0.44%	0.68%	0.91%	0.80%	1.29%	0.99%
STE STERIS plc	1.14%	0.95%	1.06%	0.90%	0.97%	0.68%	0.81%	0.93%	1.22%	1.35%	1.57%	1.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STE and QTEC in my portfolio?

STE and QTEC have a correlation of 0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STE or QTEC?

QTEC has higher volatility (11.26%) compared to STE (10.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STE dropped -77.22% vs QTEC's -58.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QTEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 vs -0.07), 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.