QTEC vs VYM
First Trust NASDAQ-100-Technology Sector Index Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, QTEC or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. QTEC led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 28.3%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | QTEC | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $4.6B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.01% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 96 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +35.07%Best | +11.35% |
| 1Y Return | +37.63%Best | +15.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.44%Best | +17.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.07%Best | +12.30% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.4% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -58.9% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,313Best | $17,861 |
| Top 10 Weight | 28.3% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 19, 2006 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 18, 2026 (19.8 years).
QTEC vs VYM growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 19.8 years both funds cover.
QTEC vs VYM Performance
First Trust NASDAQ-100-Technology Sector Index Fund (QTEC) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QTEC returned +37.63% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, QTEC is up 35.07% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, QTEC compounded at +28.44% per year against +17.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +14.07% and +12.30% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, QTEC has the edge at +14.75% annualized vs +6.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QTEC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.4% compared with 14.6% for VYM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -58.9% for QTEC and -58.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QTEC charges 0.55% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $4 annually, a gap of $51 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QTEC currently yields 0.01% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
10.4% of QTEC's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 10.1% of VYM's money is in holdings QTEC also owns.
QTEC and VYM share little of their money.
6 positions in common, counted across the 47 positions we hold weights for in QTEC and 557 in VYM, against full books of 96 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 522 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for QTEC (86.9% of the fund), and 36 for QTEC that do not appear in VYM (77.4%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QTEC and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, QTEC or VYM?
QTEC has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $51 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QTEC or VYM?
Over the past year QTEC returned +37.63% vs +15.34% for VYM, so QTEC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), QTEC annualized +14.75% vs +6.82% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QTEC or VYM?
QTEC has been the more volatile fund at 22.4% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: QTEC -58.9% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both QTEC and VYM?
QTEC and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between QTEC and VYM?
10.4% of QTEC's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 10.1% of VYM's is in holdings QTEC also owns. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 47 positions we hold weights for in QTEC and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, QTEC or VYM?
QTEC yields 0.01% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than QTEC?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. QTEC led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 28.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.