A side-by-side comparison of First Trust AlphaDEX US Technology (FHQ) and Hamilton Technology Yield Maximizer ETF (QMAX) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
CIBC Investor's Edge
Transfer your investments to CIBC Investor's Edge and get rewarded with an offer of up to $3,000.
- ✓$6.95 flat-rate commissions
- ✓Backed by Big Five bank security
- ✓Transfer bonus offer up to $3,000
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | FHQ | QMAX |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +33.01%✓ | +17.20% |
| 1-Day Change | +6.05%✓ | +0.38% |
| 1-Week Change | +8.87%✓ | +1.66% |
| 1-Month Change | +23.37%✓ | +15.66% |
| Current Price | $146.42 | $26.37 |
| AUM | $28M | $968M✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | — |
| Dividend Yield | — | 10.93% |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2014-10-29 | 2023-10-25 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Sector Equity | Sector Equity |
| Beta | 1.35 | 0.00 |
| 52-Week High | $146.42 | $26.41 |
| 52-Week Low | $97.58 | $17.68 |
| 50-Day MA | $118.14 | $22.47 |
| 200-Day MA | $112.00 | $22.36 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | FHQ | QMAX |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +33.01%✓ | +17.20% |
| 1 Year | +40.75% | +44.58%✓ |
| 3 Year | +24.42% | — |
| 5 Year | +14.19% | — |
| 10 Year | +20.52% | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 22.71% | 29.58% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.09 | — |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | MRVL | Marvell Technology Group Ltd | 2.38% |
| 2 | MU | Micron Technology Inc | 2.18% |
| 3 | MPWR | Monolithic Power Systems Inc | 2.11% |
| 4 | AMD | Advanced Micro Devices Inc | 1.89% |
| 5 | VRT | Vertiv Holdings Co | 1.87% |
| 6 | SWKS | Skyworks Solutions Inc | 1.87% |
| 7 | DELL | Dell Technologies Inc | 1.82% |
| 8 | JBL | Jabil Circuit Inc | 1.81% |
| 9 | MTSI | MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings Inc | 1.81% |
| 10 | ZM | Zoom Video Communications Inc | 1.72% |
| 1 | INTC | Intel Corporation | 10.46% |
| 2 | AMD | Advanced Micro Devices Inc | 8.51% |
| 3 | MU | Micron Technology Inc | 7.75% |
| 4 | GOOGL | Alphabet Inc Class A | 7.34% |
| 5 | AVGO | Broadcom Inc | 7.21% |
| 6 | AMZN | Amazon.com Inc | 7.02% |
| 7 | NVDA | NVIDIA Corporation | 6.53% |
| 8 | LRCX | Lam Research Corp | 6.32% |
| 9 | MSFT | Microsoft Corporation | 6.24% |
| 10 | AMAT | Applied Materials Inc | 6.24% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | FHQ | QMAX |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 5.87% | 18.31% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.97% | 12.51% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 0.56% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 4.49% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 88.11% | 69.18% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 0.00% |
About FHQ
First Trust AlphaDEX US Technology (FHQ.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
About QMAX
Hamilton Technology Yield Maximizer ETF (QMAX.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both FHQ and QMAX are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
FHQ and QMAX are closely matched on the metrics we track. The right choice depends on your individual investment goals, tax situation, and time horizon.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between FHQ and QMAX?
FHQ (First Trust AlphaDEX US Technology) and QMAX (Hamilton Technology Yield Maximizer ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($28M vs $968M), dividend yield (N/A vs 10.93%), and year-to-date performance (+33.01% vs +17.20%).
Is FHQ better than QMAX?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, FHQ has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy FHQ and QMAX on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both FHQ and QMAX should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
7 stocks to buy and hold forever
Complement your ETF portfolio with these proven long-term individual stocks.
Get the FREE Report