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FTQI vs QQQI
Which ETF would AI Choose? First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) vs. NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI)
Key Takeaways
- Both FTQI and QQQI employ active covered-call strategies on Nasdaq-100 exposure to generate high monthly income through option premiums.
- FTQI maintains a broader portfolio of approximately 176 holdings with an expense ratio of 0.75%, while QQQI replicates the Nasdaq-100 more closely with a lower 0.68% expense ratio.
- Top holdings for both center on technology leaders such as Apple, NVIDIA, and Amazon, resulting in concentrated sector exposure to information technology and consumer discretionary.
- QQQI offers greater scale with significantly higher assets under management (AUM), supporting potentially tighter bid-ask spreads and stronger liquidity.
- Structural differences in options overlay execution and tax-efficiency features distinguish the funds’ income generation and risk profiles within the same thematic income strategy.
- Investors seeking Nasdaq-100 equity participation with enhanced yield may evaluate the funds on cost efficiency, diversification breadth, and active management approach rather than direct competition.
Introduction
FTQI and QQQI represent specialized exchange-traded funds that combine equity exposure to Nasdaq-100 constituents with covered-call overlays to prioritize monthly income. These vehicles do not compete directly with broad-market equity ETFs but instead offer alternative strategies for investors targeting higher yields within technology-heavy growth sectors. In the current environment of elevated volatility and interest-rate sensitivity, such income-focused products attract attention from those balancing total return potential against distribution needs.
First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) Overview
The First Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF (FTQI) is an actively managed fund that invests primarily in U.S. equities while overlaying a call-writing strategy on the Nasdaq-100 Index. The portfolio holds approximately 176 securities, with the largest positions concentrated in Apple, NVIDIA, Advanced Micro Devices, and Amazon. Sector allocations emphasize information technology and consumer discretionary names. The fund carries an expense ratio of 0.75% and seeks to generate income through premiums collected from writing covered calls, with monthly distributions as a primary objective.
NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI) Overview
The NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI) is an actively managed vehicle that holds a portfolio replicating the Nasdaq-100 Index constituents and applies an options strategy involving written call options on the index. Launched in early 2024, the fund maintains close alignment with the index’s 100 holdings while using active decisions on strike selection and coverage levels. Its expense ratio stands at 0.68%. The strategy emphasizes tax-efficient monthly income generation alongside equity appreciation potential, supported by Section 1256 contract treatment for options.
Industry and Thematic Backdrop
Both ETFs operate within the technology and growth equity space, where capital flows have favored large-capitalization innovation leaders amid ongoing artificial intelligence adoption and semiconductor demand. Macroeconomic drivers include interest-rate expectations, corporate earnings cycles in the technology sector, and broader equity market volatility that influences options premium levels. Regulatory developments around derivatives usage and tax treatment of options income remain relevant considerations for income-oriented strategies in this environment.
Performance and Positioning Comparison
In recent market cycles, the covered-call structures of both funds have moderated upside participation during strong Nasdaq-100 rallies while providing downside cushion through premium income. FTQI’s broader holdings may introduce slight diversification benefits relative to the more index-replicated approach of QQQI. Volatility differences arise from options overlay execution and rebalancing frequency, with both funds positioned to benefit from elevated implied volatility environments that support higher premium collection.
AI Screener
Tickeron’s AI Screener is an AI-powered stock and ETF discovery tool that helps traders and investors filter the market based on technical patterns, fundamentals, trends, volatility, and AI-driven signals. Users can scan thousands of stocks and ETFs using customizable filters such as industry, market capitalization, technical indicators, price patterns, and performance metrics. The screener helps identify trade ideas, trending stocks, breakout candidates, and market opportunities more efficiently than manual screening. Explore the AI Screener to uncover additional opportunities aligned with your strategy.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable structural factors including lower expense ratio, larger scale, and close index replication with active options management, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a higher probability of preference to QQQI for investors prioritizing cost efficiency and liquidity within the covered-call Nasdaq-100 income category, while recognizing that individual suitability depends on specific risk tolerance and income objectives.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is FTQI is a Hold and QQQI is a Hold.
Aroon Indicator for FTQI shows an upward move is likely
FTQI's Aroon Indicator triggered a bullish signal on October 15, 2026. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor detected that the AroonUp green line is above 70 while the AroonDown red line is below 30. When the up indicator moves above 70 and the down indicator remains below 30, it is a sign that the stock could be setting up for a bullish move. Traders may want to buy the stock or look to buy calls options. A.I.dvisor looked at 423 similar instances where the Aroon Indicator showed a similar pattern. In 376 of the 423 cases, the stock moved higher in the days that followed. This puts the odds of a move higher at 89%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
Following a +1.09% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where FTQI advanced for three days, in 334 of 392 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 85%.
FTQI may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for FTQI moved out of overbought territory on October 12, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 55 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 38 of the 55 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 69%.
The Stochastic Oscillator has been in the overbought zone for 2 days. Expect a price pull-back in the near future.
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on October 30, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on FTQI as a result. In 55 of 83 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 66%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for FTQI turned negative on October 30, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 55 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 33 of the 55 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 60%.
FTQI moved below its 50-day moving average on October 30, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where FTQI declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 66%.
QQQI in downward trend: price dove below 50-day moving average on October 29, 2026
QQQI moved below its 50-day moving average on October 29, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend. In 12 of 15 similar past instances, the stock price decreased further within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 80%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on October 14, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on QQQI as a result. In 37 of 52 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 71%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for QQQI turned negative on October 12, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 31 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 20 of the 31 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 65%.
The 10-day moving average for QQQI crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on October 26, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 4 of 7 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 57%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where QQQI declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 66%.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Oscillator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where QQQI's RSI Indicator exited the oversold zone, 10 of 12 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 83%.
The Stochastic Oscillator suggests the stock price trend may be in a reversal from a downward trend to an upward trend. 21 of 24 cases where QQQI's Stochastic Oscillator exited the oversold zone resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 88%.
Following a +1.79% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where QQQI advanced for three days, in 186 of 219 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 85%.
QQQI may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 203 of 223 cases where QQQI Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 90%.
| FTQI | QQQI | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 69% | 2 days ago 83% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 68% | 2 days ago 88% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 71% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 65% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 68% | 2 days ago 69% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 76% | 2 days ago 77% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 85% | 4 days ago 85% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 66% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 87% | 2 days ago 90% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 89% | 2 days ago 90% |
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QQQI and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, QQQI has been closely correlated with LRCX. These tickers have moved in lockstep 75% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if QQQI jumps, then LRCX could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To QQQI | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QQQI | 100% | -3.29% | ||
| LRCX - QQQI | 75% Closely correlated | -6.01% | ||
| AMD - QQQI | 71% Closely correlated | -10.88% | ||
| AMAT - QQQI | 71% Closely correlated | -7.49% | ||
| KLAC - QQQI | 69% Closely correlated | -5.69% | ||
| ASML - QQQI | 68% Closely correlated | -6.55% | ||
More | ||||
| 1 Day | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs / NAME | Price $ | Chg $ | Chg % |
| USVN | 46.27 | 0.21 | +0.45% |
| US Treasury 7 Year Note ETF (USVN) | |||
| IYF | 130.94 | -1.28 | -0.97% |
| iShares U.S. Financials ETF (IYF) | |||
| OVL | 55.19 | -1.27 | -2.25% |
| Overlay Shares Large Cap Equity ETF (OVL) | |||
| NNOV | 31.38 | -1.11 | -3.42% |
| Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - November (NNOV) | |||
| LRNZ | 61.32 | -3.80 | -5.83% |
| TrueShares Technology, AI & Deep Learning ETF (LRNZ) | |||